Sildenafil Vs. Vardenafil: Drug Comparison

Sildenafil is the active ingredient in the brand-name medication Viagra^®. The information below is about brand name Viagra. According to the FDA, “Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have the same risks and benefits as the brand-name medicines.”

Viagra (sildenafil citrate), a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, is an oral medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It is taken only as needed, usually about an hour before sexual activity, though it can be effective if taken between 30 minutes to 4 hours prior. It is very important not to take Viagra more than once a day, as exceeding this frequency increases the risk of serious side effects, including vision loss and significant drops in blood pressure.

Vardenafil is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. It belongs to a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and works similarly to sildenafil (Viagra^®) and tadalafil (Cialis^®). Vardenafil is typically taken as needed, about 60 minutes before sexual activity, and its effects can last up to 4–5 hours. Common side effects include headaches, flushing, nasal congestion, and dizziness. It should be used with caution in individuals with cardiovascular conditions and those taking nitrates.

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor

Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is indicated to treat:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets are indicated to treat:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

• Typically taken orally as needed approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity, up to once daily

• Comes in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets

• Typically taken orally as needed approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity, up to once daily

• Comes in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets

Most common adverse reactions (≥2%) include:

• Headache

• Flushing

• Indigestion

• Abnormal vision

• Nasal congestion

• Back pain

• Muscle pain

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Rash

Most common adverse reactions reported (≥2% of patients) are:

• Headache

• Flushing

• Nasal congestion

• Indigestion

• Inflammation of the sinuses

• Flu syndrome

• Dizziness

• Increased creatine kinase

• Nausea

• Back pain

• Administration of Viagra to patients using nitric oxide donors, such as organic nitrates or organic nitrites in any form

• Known hypersensitivity to sildenafil or any component of tablet

• Drug interactions: Nitrates, alpha blockers, antihypertensives, CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, saquinavir, erythromycin)

• Administration with nitrates and nitric oxide donors

• Administration with guanylate cyclase (GC) stimulators, such as riociguat

• Drug interactions: Nitrates, alpha-blockers, antihypertensives

• Patients should not use Viagra if sexual activity is inadvisable due to cardiovascular status

• Patients should seek emergency treatment if an erection lasts >4 hours

• Patients should stop Viagra and seek medical care if a sudden loss of vision occurs in one or both eyes, which could be a sign of non arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)

• Patients should stop Viagra and seek prompt medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing

• Caution is advised when Viagra is co-administered with alpha-blockers or anti-hypertensives

• Decreased blood pressure, fainting, and prolonged erection may occur at higher sildenafil exposures

• Cardiovascular effects: Patients should not use vardenafil hydrochloride if sex is inadvisable due to cardiovascular status

• Risk of prolonged erection: In the event that an erection lasts more than 4 hours, the patient should seek immediate medical assistance

• Effects on the eye: Patients should stop use of vardenafil hydrochloride and seek medical attention in the event of sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, which could be a sign of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)

• Sudden hearing loss: Patients should stop vardenafil hydrochloride and seek medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss in hearing

• Alpha-blockers: Caution is advised when PDE5 inhibitors are co-administered with alpha-blockers

• QT prolongation: Patients with congenital QT syndrome or taking class IA or III antiarrhythmics should avoid using vardenafil hydrochloride

*This information is from the label for brand name Viagra^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient sildenafil.

*This information is from the vardenafil hydrochloride label used by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Vardenafil may be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient vardenafil.