Article: Vardenafil

Vardenafil
Systematic (IUPAC) name
4-[2-ethoxy-5-(4-ethylpiperazin-1-yl)sulfonyl-phenyl]- 9-methyl-7-propyl- 3,5,6,8-tetrazabicyclo[4.3.0] nona-3,7,9-trien-2-one
Identifiers
CAS number	224785-90-4
ATC code	G04BE09
PubChem	110634
DrugBank	APRD00699
Chemical data
Formula	C23H32N6O4S
Mol. weight	488.604 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	15%
Protein binding	95%
Metabolism	Hepatic (CYP3A4)
Half life	4–5 hours
Excretion	Biliary
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	B3 (Au)
Legal status	S4 (Au), POM (UK), ℞-only (U.S.)
Routes	Oral

Vardenafil (INN) is a PDE5 inhibitor used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It can assist men with this disorder in achieving and maintaining an erection during sexual activity. It is commonly marketed under the trade name Levitra (GSK).

History

Vardenafil was co-marketed by Bayer Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) under the trade name Levitra. As of 2005, the co-promotion rights of GSK on Levitra have been "transferred back" to Bayer in many markets outside of the United States. In Italy, Bayer markets the product as Levitra and GSK markets the product as Vivanza. Due to European Union trade rules, Parallel Imports made result in the Vivanza branded packs being seen alongside Levitra packs in pharmacies in other EU member states.

Clinical use

Main article: PDE5 inhibitor

Indications and contraindications are as for other PDE5 inhibitors. As a PDE5 inhibitor, vardenafil is closely related in both function and marketing to sildenafil and tadalafil; it has a relatively short effective time, comparable to sildenafil.

Adverse drug reactions

More common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are as per other PDE5 inhibitors and are listed on that page.

Common vardenafil-specific ADRs include: nausea. Infrequent ADRs include: abdominal pain, back pain, photosensitivity, abnormal vision, eye pain, facial oedema, hypertension, palpitation, tachycardia, arthralgia, myalgia, rash, itch, priapism. (Rossi, 2004)

Dose forms

It is available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg doses in round orange tablets. The normal starting dose is 10 mg (roughly equivalent to 50 mg of sildenafil). Vardenafil should be taken 25-60 minutes prior to sexual activity, with a maximum dose frequency of once per day.

In some territories, such as the UK, only certain doses may be available, i.e. 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg.

Reference

• Rossi S (Ed.) (2004). Australian Medicines Handbook 2004. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook. ISBN 0-9578521-4-2

See also

• PDE5 inhibitor
• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)