Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Levitra vs. Viagra

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Vardenafil (former brand names: Levitra, Staxyn) and sildenafil (Viagra) are both medications used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), but they have some differences. Vardenafil is available as a generic and comes in tablet and orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) forms, while sildenafil is available as a generic and brand Viagra but only in tablet form. You typically take vardenafil about an hour before sexual activity, and it can start working in as little as 15 minutes, whereas sildenafil is taken 30 minutes to 4 hours before sex. Both medications should not be taken more than once a day. Common side effects for both include headaches and flushing, but sildenafil has a higher incidence of these side effects. Additionally, vardenafil might work slightly faster than sildenafil and is available in a form that dissolves on your tongue, which can be helpful if you have trouble swallowing pills. Both medications require a prescription and cannot be taken if you have had a recent heart attack or stroke or if you are taking nitrates for chest pain.

  • Vardenafil
    Sildenafil (Viagra)
  • Vardenafil
    Sildenafil (Viagra)

  • Summary of Levitra vs. Viagra

    Summary for PDE-5 inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Vardenafil is a first-choice medication for erectile dysfunction (ED). It's no longer sold under the brand name Levitra, but it's available as generic tablets and orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs). Common side effects of vardenafil include headache, flushing, and stuffy nose. Interactions between vardenafil and other medications generally involve those that lower blood pressure.

    Summary for PDE-5 inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Sildenafil (Viagra) is a tablet that's taken by mouth for erectile dysfunction (ED) in adults. It works as a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor to help people get an erection or keep an erection that lasts for sex. You only take a dosage when you need it (usually about an hour, or anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, before sex). Take sildenafil (Viagra) no more than once a day. Otherwise, it can put you at risk of serious side effects, such as vision loss or low blood pressure. Other more common side effects include headache and flushing. Sildenafil (Viagra) is a brand-name and generic medication.

  • Indications of Levitra vs. Viagra

    Indications for
    •Erectile dysfunction
    Indications for
    •Erectile dysfunction (ED)

  • Pros and Cons of Levitra vs. Viagra

    Pros and Const for PDE-5 inhibitor
    Pros
    •Might work slightly faster than sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis)
    •Improves how long an erection lasts
    •Can take with or without food
    •Available as orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) for people who have trouble swallowing
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Should take about 1 hour before sex, so you might need to plan ahead
    •Not recommended if you've had a heart attack or stroke in the past 6 months
    •Can't use if you've recently taken nitrates like isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket) or nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
    •Not recommended if you have severe liver or kidney problems
    •Doesn't prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
    Pros and Const for PDE-5 inhibitor
    Pros
    •A first-choice medication for ED
    •Taken only when you need it
    •Can take it 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity
    •Comes in different strengths, so you and your prescriber can find which works best for you
    Cons
    •Can take up to an hour to get its full effect
    •Higher risk of side effects for people 65 years and older
    •Not recommended if you've had a heart attack or stroke in the past 6 months
    •Can't take if you've recently taken nitrates like isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) or nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)

  • Common Side Effects of Levitra vs. Viagra

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (up to 15%)
    •Flushing (up to 11%)
    •Stuffy nose (up to 9%)
    •Indigestion (up to 4%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (16-28%)
    •Flushing (10-19%)
    •Indigestion (3-17%)
    •Changes in vision (e.g., color tinge, blurry vision, light sensitivity; 1-11%)
    •Stuffy nose (4-9%)

  • Warnings of Levitra vs. Viagra

    Common Side Effects for
    •Heart problems
    •Low blood pressure
    •Prolonged erection
    •Vision changes
    •Hearing loss
    •Interactions with other medications
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of heart problems in people with heart disease
    •Low blood pressure
    •Prolonged or painful erection (priapism)
    •Vision changes
    •Hearing loss
    •Interactions with other medications

  • Prices with our coupons for Levitra vs. Viagra

    Learn more about Vardenafil
    Learn more about Sildenafil

Compare other Erectile Dysfunction drugs

Cialis vs LevitraLevitra vs StendraLevitra vs ViagraAdcirca vs CialisCaverject vs ViagraCialis vs StendraCialis vs ViagraClomid vs TestosteroneEstradiol vs TestosteroneFlomax vs AvodartFlomax vs CarduraFlomax vs CialisFlomax vs ProscarFlomax vs RapafloFlomax vs UroxatralGemtesa vs FlomaxJalyn vs FlomaxMyrbetriq vs FlomaxOxybutynin vs FlomaxProgesterone vs TestosteroneRevatio vs ViagraTestosterone vs ViagraViagra vs CialisViagra vs Stendra
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.