Vilitra 40 mg

When vardenafil is taken at an appropriate dose, it can:

• Improve blood flow to the penis

• Support a firmer erection

• Help maintain an erection during sexual activity

• Improve the natural response to sexual stimulation

• Provide an oral treatment taken when needed

• Support erectile function without changing testosterone levels

These benefits relate to vardenafil treatment in general. A 40 mg tablet should not be assumed to work better than 20 mg. Increasing the amount beyond the recommended range can increase medicine exposure without providing a better result.

When sexual stimulation occurs, nitric oxide is released inside the penis. This increases the level of a chemical messenger called cyclic guanosine monophosphate, commonly shortened to cGMP.

The increased cGMP relaxes smooth muscles and widens the blood vessels that supply the erectile tissues. More blood can then enter the penis and support an erection.

PDE5 is an enzyme that breaks down cGMP. Vardenafil blocks this enzyme, allowing cGMP to remain active for longer. Sexual stimulation is still required because Vilitra supports the natural erection process rather than starting it automatically.

For most adult men, vardenafil is started at 10 mg, taken approximately 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. Depending on how well it works and how the body responds, a healthcare professional may adjust the dose to 5 mg or up to a maximum of 20 mg. Vardenafil should not be taken more than once within 24 hours.

Vilitra 40 mg contains 40 mg of vardenafil, which is higher than the standard maximum single dose. It should therefore be used only when a qualified healthcare professional has reviewed the strength and provided clear instructions.

Do not take the whole tablet, divide it or repeat a dose on your own. A tablet should only be divided when it is suitable for splitting and the required dose has been confirmed. If a lower strength does not work on one occasion, seek medical advice instead of increasing the amount.

Common Side Effects: Vardenafil can cause headache, facial flushing, a blocked or runny nose, indigestion, dizziness, nausea and back pain. Because Vilitra contains 40 mg, the higher exposure can make dose-related effects more noticeable. Contact a healthcare professional if the symptoms are severe, continue for longer than expected or interfere with normal activities.

Serious Side Effects: Stop taking the medicine and seek urgent medical help for chest pain, fainting, severe dizziness, a fast or irregular heartbeat, sudden vision loss, sudden hearing loss, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat or an erection lasting longer than four hours. A prolonged erection requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent damage.

Vilitra 40 mg should be avoided by:

• People allergic to vardenafil

• People taking nitrate medicines

• People using recreational nitrites or “poppers”

• People taking riociguat

• People with very low blood pressure

• People with unstable angina or severe heart failure

• People with severe liver disease

• People receiving kidney dialysis

• Women and people below 18 years of age

The 40 mg strength is also unsuitable for people who require a reduced vardenafil dose because of age, liver function or interacting medicines.

Tell the doctor or pharmacist about all medicines and supplements being used.

Important interactions include:

• Nitrate medicines

• Nicorandil

• Alpha-blockers

• Blood pressure medicines

• Macrolide antibiotics

• Heart-rhythm medicines

• Other PDE5 inhibitors

• Other erectile dysfunction treatments

Nitrates and riociguat must not be combined with Vilitra because the combination can cause a dangerous fall in blood pressure. Medicines such as ritonavir, cobicistat, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin and clarithromycin can increase vardenafil levels. People taking these medicines require doses far below 40 mg.

Do not combine Vilitra with sildenafil, tadalafil, avanafil or another vardenafil product. Grapefruit products should also be avoided because they can increase vardenafil exposure.

• Keep Vilitra in its original packaging.

• Store the tablets at room temperature.

• Protect them from heat, moisture and direct sunlight.

• Keep the medicine away from children and pets.

• Do not use damaged or discoloured tablets.

• Do not use the tablets after their expiry date.

• Do not dispose of unused tablets in wastewater.

• Ask a pharmacist about safe medicine disposal.