Vardenafil vs. Sildenafil: Which BlueChew Is Better?

Vardenafil and sildenafil work the same way and last about the same length of time, so neither is universally better. Vardenafil is more potent at a lower dose and more selective in how it acts, while sildenafil has the longest track record of any ED medication. The right choice depends on how your body responds and what matters most to you.

At BlueChew, these come as VAR (vardenafil, the active ingredient in Levitra) and SIL (sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra). Here's how they compare.

• Vardenafil (VAR) and sildenafil (SIL) are both PDE5 inhibitors that typically start working within 15–30 minutes and last about 4–6 hours.
• Vardenafil is more potent, so it works at a lower dose (8 mg vs. 45 mg), and it's more selective, which may lower the chance of certain vision-related side effects.
• Sildenafil has more than 25 years of clinical research behind it and is the most widely studied ED medication.
• Some men respond better to one than the other, so it's common to try one and switch if needed.
• If you want a longer window, tadalafil-based formulas last up to 36 hours.

• They work the same way. Both are PDE5 inhibitors, which increase blood flow to the penis so it's easier to get and keep an erection when you're aroused.
• They start working fast. As sublingual tablets, both typically start working within 15–30 minutes. Take either one 15–30 minutes before sexual activity.
• They last about the same time. Both work for about 4–6 hours, which suits planned intimacy or a date night.
• They're both proven. In clinical trials, 67–89% of men taking PDE5 inhibitors had improved erections.
• They share common side effects. Headache, flushing, nasal congestion, and heartburn are the most common for both.

VAR contains vardenafil, which you can think of as sildenafil's more precise cousin.

• More potent: In lab research, vardenafil is a stronger PDE5 inhibitor than sildenafil, so it works at a much lower dose (8 mg in VAR vs. 45 mg in SIL).
• More selective: Vardenafil is more selective for PDE5 over related enzymes, including one in the eye. That may lower the chance of rare vision-related side effects, like a blue tint to your vision, which is more associated with sildenafil.
• An alternative if SIL isn't working: Some men who don't get the results they want from sildenafil respond better to vardenafil.

VAR may be a good fit if you want a potent, targeted option, or if sildenafil hasn't worked well for you.

SIL contains sildenafil, the classic ED medication.

• The longest track record: Sildenafil was the first PDE5 inhibitor approved for ED, in 1998, and it has more than 25 years of research supporting its safety and effectiveness.
• Predictable and well understood: Because it's so widely studied, providers have deep experience with how it works across different men and health conditions.
• Found in BlueChew's combination formulas: Sildenafil is also in MAX and GOLD, so if SIL works well for you, you have room to step up later.

SIL may be a good fit if you want the most studied, tried-and-true option.

There isn't a universal winner. Both are effective, short-acting options for planned intimacy.

• Choose VAR if you want a more potent, more selective option, or if sildenafil hasn't given you the results you want.
• Choose SIL if you want the most studied ED medication, with the longest track record.

The best way to know is often to try one. If you're not satisfied, BlueChew makes it easy to switch your medication, and a provider can help you decide.

BlueChew plans start at $30/month, and the price per tablet depends on your formula, how many tablets you get each month, and whether you choose monthly or quarterly delivery. Both are far more affordable than brand-name Viagra, which can cost $70 or more per pill. New patients get 10% off their first order. See the full BlueChew cost guide for current pricing.

If a 4–6 hour window feels too tight, tadalafil lasts up to 36 hours. BlueChew offers it on its own as TAD, or combined with either ingredient:

• MAX: sildenafil + tadalafil
• VMAX: vardenafil + tadalafil
• GOLD: sildenafil, tadalafil, apomorphine, and oxytocin

For a full breakdown of all seven formulas, see our side-by-side comparison.

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 better than sildenafil? 

Not universally. Vardenafil is more potent and more selective, while sildenafil has the longest track record. Both are effective, and some men respond better to one than the other.

Is vardenafil stronger than sildenafil? 

Vardenafil is a more potent PDE5 inhibitor, so it works at a lower dose: 8 mg in VAR vs. 45 mg in SIL. That doesn't make it more effective for everyone; it means less medication is needed for a similar effect.

Which lasts longer, vardenafil or sildenafil? 

Neither. Both typically last about 4–6 hours. If you want a longer window, tadalafil lasts up to 36 hours.

How fast do VAR and SIL work? 

Both typically start working within 15–30 minutes. Take either one 15–30 minutes before sexual activity.

Do they have different side effects? 

They share the same common side effects: headache, flushing, nasal congestion, and heartburn. Because vardenafil is more selective, it may be less likely to cause certain rare vision changes associated with sildenafil.

Can I switch between VAR and SIL? 

Yes. Many men try one, then switch to the other to see which works better. BlueChew makes it easy to change your medication, and a provider can help you decide.

Is vardenafil the same as Levitra, and sildenafil the same as Viagra? 

VAR contains vardenafil, the active ingredient in Levitra, and SIL contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. BlueChew's versions are compounded sublingual tablets, which are not FDA-approved but contain the same active ingredients.

Can I take VAR or SIL with nitrates? 

No. Don't take either medication with nitrates for chest pain or guanylate cyclase stimulators, because the combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Share all your medications in your intake.