Vardenafil Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
Vardenafil is a first-choice treatment for erectile dysfunction. You should take it as needed shortly before having sex.
The typical vardenafil dosage ranges from 5 mg to 20 mg, taken about 1 hour before sex. You should only take one dose per day.
Your vardenafil dosage may be lower if you have liver problems or are 65 years or older. You may also need a lower dosage if you take certain medications that interact with vardenafil.
There are ways to save on vardenafil. With GoodRx, you can save over 80% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
Access savings on related medications
Vardenafil is an oral medication prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). In fact, it’s a first-choice treatment for ED. Vardenafil is an “as-needed” medication that can start working within 15 minutes to 1 hour. So you should take your doses shortly before you plan to have sex.
In this guide, we’ll discuss more details about typical vardenafil dosages. This includes the recommended starting dose and when adjustments may be needed.
What’s the typical vardenafil dosage?
The typical starting vardenafil dosage is 10 mg by mouth about 1 hour before sexual activity. Depending on how effective it is and whether you have side effects, your prescriber may adjust this dose to anywhere between 5 mg and 20 mg (the maximum dose). Don’t take vardenafil more than once a day, regardless of which dose you’ve been prescribed.
Vardenafil comes as both a traditional tablet and an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT). If you’re taking the ODT, place the tablet on your tongue. It will immediately start to dissolve. You shouldn’t drink water while the tablet is dissolving.
Are there any dosage adjustments for certain people?
Depending on your age and medical history, you may need to take a lower vardenafil dosage. This is also true if you take certain medications that interact with vardenafil. These dosage adjustments help to lower the risk of side effects from vardenafil.
Your prescriber will be in charge of determining whether you should take a different vardenafil dosage. You shouldn’t try to adjust your dosage on your own.
Dosage for adults 65 years or older
Adults ages 65 and older tend to have higher amounts of vardenafil in their bloodstream after a dose than younger adults (even if they take the same dose). This means older adults may have a greater risk or be more sensitive to side effects. If you’re 65 or older, it’s recommended to lower the starting vardenafil dosage to 5 mg and slowly raise it if needed.
Dosage for people with kidney disease
The kidneys help clear vardenafil from the body. If your kidneys aren’t working as expected, vardenafil can build up and cause side effects.
If you have mild to moderate kidney disease, you’ll likely take the standard vardenafil dosage as discussed above. But if you have severe kidney disease, your prescriber may suggest an alternative to vardenafil. It’s also recommended that people receiving dialysis avoid this medication. Vardenafil hasn’t been well studied for safety or effectiveness in this population.
Dosage for people with liver disease
Your liver helps metabolize (break down) vardenafil. Similar to the kidneys, if your liver isn’t working well, vardenafil can build up.
The recommended vardenafil dosages for liver disease depend on how severe the condition is:
Mild liver disease: Follow the typical vardenafil dosages as described above.
Moderate liver disease: The starting dosage is 5 mg about 1 hour before sex. This can be raised to a maximum of 10 mg.
Severe liver disease: It’s not recommended to take vardenafil if you have severe liver disease.
Dosage for people taking certain interacting medications
Vardenafil interacts with several medications. In many cases, lowering your vardenafil dosage can help manage these interactions.
Vardenafil’s labeling gives specific dosage adjustments for certain interactions, as detailed in the table below.
| Interacting medication | Recommended vardenafil dosage |
|---|---|
| Ritonavir (Norvir), or medications that contain it, such as Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) | Take no more than 2.5 mg of vardenafil every 72 hours (3 days) |
| Cobicistat (Tybost), or medications that contain it, such as Prezcobix (darunavir / cobicistat) | |
| Atazanavir (Reyataz) | Take no more than 2.5 mg of vardenafil every 24 hours |
| Clarithromycin (Biaxin XL) | |
| Oral ketoconazole |
|
| Itraconazole (Sporanox) | |
| Erythromycin (Ery-Tab) | Take no more than 5 mg of vardenafil every 24 hours |
This is not a complete list of vardenafil interactions. You should share an up-to-date medication list with your prescriber and pharmacist. This can help them check for potential interactions.
What should you do if you take too much vardenafil?
Taking too much vardenafil may raise your risk of side effects, such as headache or back pain. Some people have reported temporary vision problems after taking more vardenafil than recommended. But certain side effects could become dangerous, such as low blood pressure which could cause you to feel dizzy or faint.
If you’ve taken too much vardenafil, contact your prescriber for guidance. You can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. But if anything seems severe or life threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
How to save on vardenafil
There are ways to save on vardenafil, which is only available as a generic medication. GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price of the generic version. The price for five of the 10 mg vardenafil tablets at certain pharmacies is as low as $25.10 with a free GoodRx discount.
The bottom line
The typical starting vardenafil dosage for erectile dysfunction is 10 mg by mouth about 1 hour before sex. If needed, your dosage can be raised up to a maximum of 20 mg per day. You should only take vardenafil once a day, regardless of what dose you’ve been prescribed.
Adults ages 65 and older may need to take a lower vardenafil dosage to reduce the risk of side effects. The same can be said for people with liver disease or if you take certain interacting medications. Your prescriber can help you figure out the best vardenafil dosage for you.
Why trust our experts?
References
Bryant Ranch Prepack. (2024). Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets [package insert].
Burnett, A. L., et al. (2018). Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline. Journal of Urology.
Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited. (2023). Vardenafil orally disintegrating tablets [package insert].
Was this page helpful?
Related Articles
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.