What Is Vardenafil? How It Works & What to Expect

Vardenafil is a well-established medication for erectile dysfunction. It's the active ingredient behind the brand names Levitra® and Staxyn®, and it's been helping men get and keep stronger erections for more than 20 years.

In this guide, we'll break down what vardenafil is, how it works, the benefits it can bring, and how BlueChew makes it available in a fast-acting sublingual tablet called VAR.

• Vardenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that increases blood flow to the penis, supporting stronger, longer-lasting erections.
• It's the same active ingredient found in brand-name Levitra and Staxyn. In clinical trials, 67–89% of men taking PDE5 inhibitors had improved erections.
• BlueChew offers vardenafil as VAR, an 8 mg compounded sublingual tablet that typically starts working within 15–30 minutes, with no water or swallowing required.
• Take VAR 15–30 minutes before sexual activity. Its effects last about 4–6 hours.
• Research suggests vardenafil can improve sexual satisfaction for both men and their partners.
• Ready to see if VAR is right for you? Take the quiz.

Vardenafil is a prescription medication best known by the brand names Levitra and Staxyn. It belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors, and it works by increasing blood flow to the penis to support a firm, lasting erection.

Vardenafil works for about the same length of time as sildenafil (Viagra), roughly 4–6 hours, and is taken at a lower dose. Some men respond better to one than the other, which is why BlueChew offers both. See which is better: VAR or SIL.

BlueChew offers vardenafil as VAR, a convenient 8 mg compounded sublingual tablet prescribed for as-needed use. Because VAR is a compounded medication, it's custom-made in the dosage and form best suited to our patients' needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all pill.

Sublingual tablets have a few distinct advantages over traditional pills:

• Convenience: Take it anywhere and let it dissolve under your tongue. No water and no swallowing.
• Speed: Research suggests sublingual medications may kick in faster than standard pills, typically taking effect within 15–30 minutes.
• Discretion: A small, easy-to-carry tablet that doesn't look like a prescription bottle.

VAR, containing the active ingredient vardenafil, is a type of medication known as a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, or PDE5i for short.

It works by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5). During arousal, nitric oxide (NO) is released in the penis, which raises levels of a molecule called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP relaxes the smooth muscle in blood vessels so they can widen. PDE5 normally breaks cGMP down.

By stopping PDE5 from breaking down cGMP, vardenafil keeps those blood vessels relaxed longer, allowing more blood to flow to the penis.

As blood flow increases, the tissue becomes engorged, making it easier to achieve and maintain a hard, long-lasting erection during sexual stimulation.

Thanks to its blood flow-enhancing properties, vardenafil can help you achieve harder erections, and research has linked it to greater confidence in the bedroom.

The benefits go beyond erection quality. In a 2008 study, men taking vardenafil reported improvements in erection quality, orgasm satisfaction, confidence, and pleasure, and their partners reported better sexual experiences, too.

Similar research on the female partners of men taking vardenafil found improvements in their sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm satisfaction.

That matters beyond the bedroom. Sexual satisfaction is closely tied to relationship satisfaction, emotional connection, and overall well-being.

VAR is prescribed for as-needed use, so it's best taken before a date night or any time you expect to be intimate. Your BlueChew provider will give you specific instructions, but generally, VAR is taken 15–30 minutes before sexual activity. Don't take it more often than your provider recommends.

Once taken, VAR can help you get erections for about 4 to 6 hours. It typically starts working within 15–30 minutes and only causes an erection with sexual stimulation.

A few tips for best results:

• Take VAR on a relatively empty stomach. High-fat meals may slow absorption.
• Skip the cocktail. Alcohol can reduce the medication's effectiveness.
• Avoid grapefruit juice, which may alter how vardenafil works in your body.

Because VAR requires some planning, it may not be the right fit for everyone. If you want a longer window, TAD lasts up to 36 hours, and VMAX pairs vardenafil with tadalafil. Our side-by-side comparison of BlueChew's medications can help you decide, or you can talk it through with a BlueChew provider.

VAR is typically well tolerated, but like all prescription medications, it carries a risk of side effects. Vardenafil has a solid safety and effectiveness track record spanning more than 20 years, but it's still worth knowing what to look out for.

Common side effects:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Heartburn or upset stomach
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or back pain

Less common but more serious: a prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours, chest pain, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, sudden vision loss, or sudden hearing loss. If you experience any of these, contact your doctor or a member of the BlueChew medical team right away. Although rare, allergic reactions are also possible; seek emergency care immediately if symptoms are severe.

Who shouldn't take VAR: Don't take VAR if you use nitrates for chest pain or guanylate cyclase stimulators, because the combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Share all your current medications and health conditions in your intake so your provider can confirm VAR is safe for you. For the full list, see our safety information page or our guide to BlueChew side effects.

Interested in getting your hands on an erectile dysfunction prescription? BlueChew has got you covered.

Select a plan, complete an online intake, and you're done. A medical provider will review your information and, if appropriate, prescribe your plan, which will be shipped directly to your door.

No doctor appointments or patient support charges make it a stress-free experience.

Plus, there's no commitment—you can easily cancel or switch plans anytime. Click here to explore all plan options for treatments at BlueChew.

Is vardenafil the same as Levitra? 

Both VAR and Levitra contain the active ingredient vardenafil. VAR is a compounded medication in sublingual form. Compounded medications are custom-made by state-licensed pharmacies and are not FDA-approved, but they contain the same active ingredient as their brand-name counterparts.

How is vardenafil different from sildenafil and tadalafil? 

Vardenafil and sildenafil both last about 4–6 hours, and some men respond better to one than the other. Tadalafil lasts up to 36 hours. See which is better: VAR or SIL and What Is Tadalafil?

How long before sex should I take VAR? 

Take VAR 15–30 minutes before sexual activity, or as your provider directs.

How long does VAR last? 

VAR's effects typically last 4 to 6 hours. It only causes an erection with sexual stimulation.

Does VAR make you last longer in bed? 

VAR helps you get and keep an erection when you're aroused. It isn't designed to delay ejaculation, but firmer, more reliable erections can take some of the pressure off.

What are the sexual health benefits of VAR? 

Vardenafil can lead to harder erections and has been linked to improved orgasm satisfaction, confidence, and sexual satisfaction for both men and their partners. VAR does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so continue practicing safe sex.

How does food affect VAR? 

High-fat meals can slow the absorption of VAR, so it's best taken on a relatively empty stomach. Avoid grapefruit juice, which can interfere with how the drug works.

Can I drink alcohol while taking VAR? 

It's best to avoid alcohol when taking VAR, as it can reduce the medication's effectiveness.

How do I get a prescription for VAR through BlueChew? 

Select your plan, create an account, and complete a medical intake form. A licensed provider usually reviews your history within 24 hours and prescribes VAR if appropriate. Approved orders ship within 24 hours.

What are the potential side effects of vardenafil? 

Common side effects include headache, flushing, heartburn, nasal congestion, and muscle or back pain. Less common but serious side effects include a prolonged erection, chest pain, sudden vision or hearing loss, low blood pressure, and irregular heartbeat. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these.

Don't take VAR with nitrates or guanylate cyclase stimulators, and disclose all current medications to avoid interactions.