Staxyn Vs. Vardenafil: Drug Comparison

Staxyn^® (vardenafil hydrochloride) is a medication that is approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). It belongs to the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor class of medications, like other oral ED treatments. Staxyn comes as an orally disintegrating tablet, which may be appealing to those who don't like taking pills. Staxyn provides higher exposure in the body to the active ingredient than does Levitra^®, which is another ED medication containing the active ingredient vardenafil. Staxyn should be taken as needed approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity and lasts for a few hours. Side effects include headache, flushing, and congestion, and Staxyn should not be used with nitrates. Users can experience low blood pressure when combining Staxyn with certain other medications.

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

Staxyn (vardenafil hydrochloride) 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 10 mg orally disintegrating 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

Adverse reactions reported by ≥2% of patients treated with Staxyn:

• Headache

• Flushing

• Nasal congestion

• Indigestion

• Dizziness

• Back pain

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 with nitrates and nitric oxide donors

• Drug interactions: Nitrates, alpha-blockers, antihypertensives, CYP3A4 inhibitors

• Administration with nitrates and nitric oxide donors

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

• Drug interactions: Nitrates, alpha-blockers, antihypertensives

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

• Potent and noderate CYP3A4 inhibitors: Do not use Staxyn in patients taking potent or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors

• Risk of priapism

• Effects on the eye: Patients should stop use of Staxyn, and seek medical attention in the event of sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes

• Sudden hearing loss

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

• QT prolongation

• Phenylketonurics: Each Staxyn tablet contains 1.01 mg phenylalanine per tablet, which could be harmful for patients with phenylketonuria

• 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 Staxyn^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Vardenafil, the active ingredient in Staxyn, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient vardenafil.

*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.