Authored: 12/08/2022
UK Registered and Regulated
Member of DICE Clinical Excellence
UK Registered GPs
16,000+ Reviews
Vardenafil
Overview
- Works in 25-60 minutes
- Lasts up to 6 hours
- Fast-acting orodispersible tablet option available
- Better value generic version of Levitra
Overview
Order Vardenafil (Generic Levitra) Online
You can request to buy Vardenafil online in the UK, from our UK registered online doctor and pharmacy service. After completing your assessment and checking out, your order will be passed to our UK registered doctors for review. If approved, our pharmacy team will dispense and dispatch your medication to your chosen address.
While not as well-known as other ED medicines like Viagra and Sildenafil, Vardenafil is a longer-acting medication. The effects can be noticeable for up to 6 hours after taking the dose. For many men, it also works faster than Viagra.
What Is Vardenafil?
Vardenafil tablets are a better value generic version of the ED treatment, Levitra. The active ingredient is the PDE5 inhibitor Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate. This medicine assists in gaining and maintaining a stronger erection effectively treating erectile dysfunction in most men.
How Does Vardenafil Work?
Like other PDE5 inhibitors, it works by increasing blood flow into the erectile tissue of the penis. This allows men who struggle to get and maintain an erection, to do so more easily. Vardenafil will not give you an erection without sexual stimulation. However, the level of stimulation required is often reduced.
How Effective Is Vardenafil?
Most men notice a firmer and longer-lasting erection after taking Vardenafil. Some men find it works quicker than other erectile dysfunction treatments. However, if the treatment does not work, ask our doctors (or your GP), whether it would be appropriate to increase the dose. Alternatively, they may recommend another treatment.
Doctors often advise trying erectile dysfunction medicines six to eight times, on separate occasions, before giving up and trying another.
Alternative ED Medicines
Several drugs are available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
These include:
Lower doses of tadalafil can also be taken every day continuously. This is different from taking a dose when required. Taking a lower dose of tadalafil every day means that it will improve erections at any time of the day. For further information, see our blog post discussing Cialis and tadalafil.
Vardenafil Summary
| Dose | Take ONE tablet 25-60 minutes before sex |
| Mechanism | Improves blood flow into the penis when sexually aroused |
| Active Ingredient | 5-20mg Vardenafil |
| Price | from £17.99 |
| Side Effects | Can include headaches, dizziness, facial flushing, nasal congestion |
Written by Qualified Experts
All of our medication and condition content is written by UK qualified pharmacists and doctors.
Reviewed: 08/03/2025
FAQ
General Information
What is the difference between Vardenafil and Levitra?
Vardenafil is the active ingredient in the branded medication Levitra. In the UK, Vardenafil is now available in generic form and is generally cheaper than Levitra. Medically, they are equivalent.
Effectiveness & Results
How long for Vardenafil to work?
The tablet takes approximately 25 to 60 minutes to absorb and begin working.
How long does Vardenafil last?
With sexual stimulation, the positive effects of Vardenafil can last up to about 6 hours after taking a dose.
Is Vardenafil better than Viagra?
Vardenafil is effective, similar to both Viagra (Sildenafil) and Cialis (Tadalafil) in most men. ED medications are effective in 70–80% of cases, and individual responses may vary. It is recommended to try a medication at least 5 times before deciding on its effectiveness.
Usage & Dosage
Can I take Vardenafil every day?
No. Vardenafil is not designed as a daily tablet. For men who have sex frequently, lower doses of daily ED medications, such as 5mg Tadalafil, may be more appropriate.
Can I drink when taking Vardenafil?
Drinking alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of Vardenafil and may worsen erection problems, so it is advisable to avoid drinking while on this medication.
Access & Cost
Can I buy Vardenafil over the counter?
Both Vardenafil and its branded version, Levitra, are prescription‑only medicines in the UK. You cannot buy them over the counter. However, you may request to purchase Vardenafil online through our pharmacy and doctor service after completing an online medical assessment.
Compare
Treatment Comparison
| Sildenafil | Viagra | Tadalafil | Cialis | Vardenafil | Levitra | Spedra | |
| Active Ingredient | Sildenafil | Sildenafil | Tadalafil | Tadalafil | Vardenafil | Vardenafil | Avanafil |
| Time to Take Effect | 30-60 mins | 30-60 mins | 15-45 mins | 15-45 mins | 30-60 mins | 30-60 mins | 15-30 mins |
| Duration of Action | 4-6 hours | 4-6 hours | 24-36 hours | 24-36 hours | 4-6 hours | 4-6 hours | 4-6 hours |
| Unique Feature | Same active ingredient as Viagra | Most well known | Same active ingredient as Cialis | Longest Acting | Used for diabetics | Used for diabetics | Quickest Acting |
| Price Per Tablet | From 78p | From £4.84 | From 67p | From £2.26 | From £2.74 | From £2.97 | From £2.97 |
Side Effects
Vardenafil Side Effects
With any medication you take, there is always a risk of side effects occurring. Some are more common than others, and often side effects may subside with regular use of the medicine. If the side effects do not subside, you should report them to your doctor or pharmacist.
Common side effects include:
- Headaches
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Nasal congestion
The side effects listed below are more serious, and you should stop taking Vardenafil, and report these to your GP immediately:
- An erection that will not go away (priapism). If you have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Priapism can permanently damage your penis.
- Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes. Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes can be a sign of a serious eye problem.
- Sudden hearing decrease or hearing loss. Some people may also have ringing in their ears (tinnitus) or dizziness.
For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.
Reviews
Info Leaflet
Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet.
Directions
How to take Vardenafil
The 10mg strength is usually the starting dose but your doctor will decide the most suitable dose for you. It is available in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg strengths. Taking a higher strength increases the risk of getting side effects.
Take one tablet about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. Never take more than one Vardenafil 20mg tablet (or one dose) within 24 hours.
Vardenafil's effectiveness can be reduced if taken with alcohol, so you should avoid drinking when taking this medication. While less prone than Viagra to being affected by food and alcohol, you should also avoid high-fat meals when taking this medication.
Warnings
Other conditions and Vardenafil
Some medical conditions may result in the medicine not being suitable for various reasons. If your condition is listed here or in the patient information leaflet consult your doctor for medical advice.
Do not take this treatment if you:
- Have any known allergies to any listed ingredient
- Have chest pain (angina) that is treated with nitrate medicines
- Have had a recent heart attack or stroke
- Have uncontrolled low blood pressure
Other medicines and Vardenafil
If you are taking alpha-blocking medicines, such as tamsulosin or trazodone, you are advised to leave at least six hours between taking your alpha-blocker and Vardenafil.
It cannot be taken if you are taking nicorandil or nitrate-based medication, such as GTN spray or isosorbide mononitrate tablets for angina. There is a potentially fatal interaction between these drugs and Vardenafil.
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice when taking this medicine because it can affect the way it works.
