How long does Vardenafil last?

With numerous ED treatment options, factors such as "how long does Vardenafil last?" can play a key role in helping you decide the correct therapeutic option for you. 

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that restricts the blood flow into the penile region, resulting in a flaccid (not firm) erection. 

Vardenafil for Erectile Dysfunction in men is an oral drug reported to have a lower risk of abuse and dependency. To help you understand the ED pill and its functioning, we look deeper into how Vardenafil works and how long its action lasts in the body. 

An Overview Of Vardenafil And Why One Should Know How Long Does Vardenafil Last?

Vardenafil belongs to the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor drug class. The FDA approves its medical use, and unlike other PDE5 inhibitors, it does not cause vision disorders. 

So, why should one care to know how long Vardenafil lasts?

It is essential to know how long the action of the ED pill lasts for the following reasons. 

• Safety- Vardenafil, if taken with other medications or alcohol, can result in side effects. Thus, knowing how long Vardenafil stays in your system will help you avoid all possible interactions. 

• Timing- Knowing how long the medicine takes to work and its time of action will help you plan your sexual activity. As the ED pill doesn't begin to work within seconds of intake, a single dose of Vardenafil won't allow you to perform all through the day. 

• Dosage adjustments- If the effects of the ED pills wear off too quickly or last longer than expected, then dosage adjustments may be required. This can only happen if you are aware of how long Vardenafil lasts in the body. 

Working Mechanism Of Vardenafil

How long Vardenafil lasts largely depends on its mechanism of action. The ED pill increases the blood flow into the penis, resulting in an erection. 

Once you’re sexually excited, your brain transmits a signal to your penis’s blood vessels that trigger the release of nitric oxide (NO).

The NO diffuses in the blood vessels and stimulates the production of a molecule called cGMP, which relaxes the blood vessels of the penis and allows blood to flow into the tissues.

In people with Erectile Dysfunction, another enzyme called Phosphodiesterase (PDE5) breaks down the cGMP, thus resulting in a flaccid erection.

Vardenafil helps achieve an erection by inhibiting the action of the enzyme PDE5 and increasing cGMP in the blood vessels, allowing more blood flow into the penis [1].

Vardenafil- How Long Does It Last?

The half-life of Vardenafil is 4 to 5 hours, meaning after this time, the concentration of the drug will reduce by fifty percent [2]. Thus, in most people, the effect of Vardenafil lasts for 4 to 5 hours [3, 4]. 

The onset of action of Vardenafil takes 30 to 60 minutes.

The FDA states that the maximum plasma concentration of Vardenafil 20 mg (or its brand drug Vilitra 20 mg) reaches its maximum within 30 minutes and 2 hours after administration in a fasted state [5]. The plasma concentration of Vardenafil refers to the concentration of the drug present in the blood plasma. It determines-

• How long does the ED pill stay in the system? 

• Elimination rate.

• Rate of metabolism. 

Factors That Affect How Long Vardenafil Lasts

The factors that regulate the time of action of Vardenafil in the body are mentioned below.

• Dosage - The Vardenafil dosage can determine how long it stays in the body. The body takes a longer time to metabolize and eliminate the ED pill, thus causing the effect of the medication to last longer. 

• Alcohol - The intake of alcohol with Vardenafil can affect the working mechanism of the drug, thus making it less effective [6]. It further results in hypotension, headaches, and facial flushing [7]. 

• Health issues - As the liver primarily metabolizes Vardenafil, suffering from hepatic disorders can result in a slower metabolic rate. It may prolong the duration of the action of Vardenafil. People with renal dysfunction may also experience a longer duration of action as the body takes longer to eliminate the compound from the system. 

• Drug Interactions - Other medications, including abiraterone, elbasvir, indomethacin, acetaminophen, boceprevir, methadone, celecoxib, and flurbiprofen, decrease the rate of metabolism when taken together [8]. It can increase how long Vardenafil lasts in the body. 

• Age - Older people are seen to have more prolonged effects from Vardenafil. A study mentioned by the FDA conducted on the geriatric population shows that the mean Cmax and AUC in elderly people were 34% and 52% higher [5]. The AUC determines the total exposure of a drug in the blood over time. 

Tips To Help Vardenafil Last Longer 

Factors that may help the effects of Vardenafil last longer without increasing the risk of experiencing side effects are listed below. 

• Fatty Food - A study by the FDA suggests that food containing high fat causes a reduction of Cmax (maximum serum concentration) by 18%-50% [5]. Thus, it is advised to take a light meal before or immediately after taking Vardenafil or Vilitra tablets. 

• Time of administration - Taking the ED pill 30 to 1 hour before sexual activity allows the medication to reach its peak plasma concentration, thus allowing it to function better. 

• Avoid grapefruit - Grapefruit contains an enzyme called furanocoumarins that can inhibit the liver enzymes responsible for the metabolism of Vardenafil [9]. 

Caution

The following factors should be considered while taking the Vardenafil pill dosage to minimize possible health risks. 

• People with liver and kidney disease should use Vardenafil cautiously.

• It can cause low blood pressure, so it is recommended to monitor blood pressure regularly.

• Before taking Vardenafil, inform your doctor about your medical history.

• If an erection is painful or persists for more than 4 hours, it is recommended to contact a medical professional or seek emergency medical treatment.

How Long Does Vardenafil Last- Final Takeaway 

We can summarize the findings of the blog at the following points. 

• Vardenafil takes 30 minutes to start acting.

• The action of the medication lasts for 4 to 5 hours. 

• Age, health issues, and dosage are vital in deciding how long Vardenafil stays in the system. 

• One can increase the time of action for Vardenafil by avoiding consuming fat-rich food with the ED pill.