Valif 20 mg (Vardenafil)

About Valif 20 mg

Valif 20 mg is a prescription tablet that contains 20 mg of vardenafil, a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men. Vardenafil belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. It is the same active ingredient found in the branded medicine Levitra. Valif is a generic brand made by Ajanta Pharma Ltd. in India.

Erectile dysfunction means that a man regularly has trouble getting or keeping an erection that is firm enough for sexual intercourse. It is common, it becomes more likely with age, and it is treatable. Vardenafil helps by improving blood flow to the penis, but only when a man is sexually stimulated. It does not work by itself, it does not increase sexual desire, and it is not an aphrodisiac.

20 mg is the highest strength in approved vardenafil labeling. Many men begin on 10 mg, and some do well on 5 mg. Because strength matters, this medicine should be started only after a doctor has reviewed your health and the other medicines you take.

Valif is also sold as Valif Oral Jelly. Other vardenafil brands include Vilitra and Filitra 20 mg. You can see more products in our vardenafil range and under generic Levitra.

Uses of Valif 20 mg

Valif 20 mg is used for one purpose: to treat erectile dysfunction in men aged 18 and over. It can help men whose ED has different causes.

• Physical causes, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart and blood vessel disease, and nerve damage.
• Lifestyle-related causes, such as smoking, heavy drinking and being overweight.
• Psychological causes, such as stress, anxiety, depression and fear of poor performance.
• ED that follows some prostate treatments, under a specialist’s guidance.

It is not a treatment for premature ejaculation, low testosterone or low sex drive. It is not meant for women or children, and it should not be used by men who do not have ED.

A doctor can look for underlying causes of ED. This matters because ED is sometimes an early sign of heart disease or diabetes, and treating those conditions can improve erections too.

How Valif 20 mg works

The role of the PDE-5 enzyme

An erection starts in the brain and nerves. When a man is sexually aroused, the nerves in the penis release nitric oxide. This raises the level of a chemical called cyclic GMP, which relaxes the smooth muscle in the walls of the blood vessels. The vessels widen, blood flows in, and the penis becomes firm.

The body also makes an enzyme called PDE-5 that breaks cyclic GMP down. In men with ED, this enzyme can end the response too early. Vardenafil blocks PDE-5, so cyclic GMP lasts longer, blood flow stays higher, and an erection can develop and be kept for intercourse.

Onset and duration

Vardenafil is absorbed quickly. Most men notice an effect about 25 to 60 minutes after the tablet, provided they are sexually stimulated. The effect usually lasts around 4 to 5 hours, but this varies from man to man. A very fatty meal can delay the effect.

Because the tablet works only with stimulation, its effect should not be mistaken for a constant erection. If you do not feel aroused, nothing will happen.

Dosage and administration

The labeled dose

According to the vardenafil summary of product characteristics, the usual dose is 10 mg, taken as needed about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. Depending on how well it works and how well you tolerate it, the dose may be raised to 20 mg or lowered to 5 mg. The maximum is 20 mg, and it may be taken no more than once in 24 hours.

A 20 mg tablet is therefore for men who need the highest dose. Your doctor decides which strength is right for you. Do not change the dose on your own.

How to take it

1. Take one tablet about 25 to 60 minutes before you expect sexual activity.
2. Swallow it whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush or split it.
3. You can take it with or without food, although a very fatty meal may slow its effect.
4. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, which can raise vardenafil levels.
5. Keep alcohol to a minimum, as it can add to dizziness.
6. Take no more than one tablet in 24 hours.

Missed or extra doses

Valif is taken only when needed, not on a daily schedule, so there is no dose to catch up on. Never take a second tablet because the first seems slow to work. If the tablet does not seem to help after several attempts, speak to your doctor instead of raising the dose.

Lower doses for some men

Some men need a lower starting dose. This includes men with moderate liver problems, men with severe kidney problems, and men taking medicines that slow the breakdown of vardenafil. Men over 65 may tolerate the 20 mg dose less well. If any of this applies to you, your doctor may start with 5 mg and increase it slowly.

Drug interactions

Vardenafil can interact with other medicines, and some combinations are dangerous. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about everything you take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, herbal remedies and recreational drugs.

• Nitrates used for chest pain (such as nitroglycerin and isosorbide) and recreational “poppers” (amyl and butyl nitrite): never combine. Together they can cause a severe, dangerous fall in blood pressure.
• Riociguat, used for pulmonary hypertension: never combine, for the same reason.
• Alpha-blockers (such as doxazosin and tamsulosin) and other blood pressure medicines: can lower blood pressure further. A lower starting dose is needed and a doctor should supervise.
• HIV protease inhibitors (such as ritonavir and indinavir), and boceprevir and telaprevir: strongly raise vardenafil levels. Avoid.
• Ketoconazole and itraconazole (antifungals): raise vardenafil levels. Avoid, or use only a very low dose under a doctor’s advice.
• Erythromycin and clarithromycin (antibiotics): raise vardenafil levels, so a lower dose is needed.
• Heart rhythm medicines (such as amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine and sotalol): can affect the heart’s electrical activity along with vardenafil. Avoid.
• Rifampicin: may reduce the effect of vardenafil.
• Other ED treatments (sildenafil, tadalafil and similar): do not combine.

This list is not complete. New interactions are found over time, so always check with a pharmacist before adding a new medicine.

Food, drink and substances

• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice raise vardenafil levels and should be avoided.
• A very fatty meal can delay the effect of the tablet.
• Alcohol can add to dizziness and affect your judgment, so keep it low.

Side effects

Like all medicines, Valif can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Most are mild to moderate and fade as the medicine wears off.

Common side effects

• headache, the most common
• flushing or redness of the skin
• a stuffy or runny nose, or sinus pain
• indigestion, heartburn or stomach upset
• nausea
• dizziness
• back pain or muscle aches

Serious side effects

Stop taking Valif and get medical help straight away if you have any of the following.

• An erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, or one that is painful (priapism).
• Chest pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or fainting.
• Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes.
• Sudden hearing loss, with or without ringing in the ears or dizziness.
• Shortness of breath, or swelling of the feet, ankles or hands.
• A seizure.
• A severe skin reaction, such as blistering or peeling, or swelling of the face, lips or throat.

Precautions and warnings

Read this section carefully before you take Valif, and tell your doctor about anything that applies to you.

• Do not use it if you are allergic to vardenafil or any ingredient in the tablet.
• Do not use it if you take nitrates or riociguat.
• Do not use it if you have severe liver disease, very low blood pressure, or have recently had a stroke or heart attack.
• Do not use it if you have been told that sexual activity is unsafe because of heart disease.
• Do not use it if you have an inherited eye disease such as retinitis pigmentosa.
• Do not combine it with other ED medicines.
• It is for men aged 18 and over only. It is not for women or children.

Heart and blood pressure

Sexual activity puts extra strain on the heart, and vardenafil can lower blood pressure slightly. Your doctor should check that your heart is healthy enough before you start. Vardenafil can also affect the heart’s electrical rhythm (the QT interval), so it must be avoided in men with an inherited long QT syndrome and in those taking certain heart rhythm medicines.

Eyes and hearing

Rare cases of sudden vision loss and sudden hearing loss have been reported with PDE-5 inhibitors. If either happens, stop the tablet and get urgent medical help.

Prolonged erection

Men with a deformed penis, Peyronie’s disease, sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia or multiple myeloma have a higher risk of a prolonged erection. A prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours is an emergency, because it can damage the penis if untreated.

Other conditions to mention

• Bleeding disorders or an active stomach ulcer, because safety data are limited.
• Kidney or liver problems, which can mean a lower dose.
• Any past episode of sudden vision or hearing loss.

Driving and machinery

Valif can cause dizziness and affect vision in some men. Do not drive or use machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Keep the tablets at room temperature, away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight.
• Keep them in the original pack until you are ready to use them.
• Keep them out of the reach of children and pets.
• Do not use them after the expiry date or if the pack is damaged.

Frequently asked questions

Is Valif the same as Levitra?

Both contain vardenafil and work in the same way. Levitra is the original brand, while Valif is a generic version made by a different company.

How long does Valif 20 mg take to work?

Usually 25 to 60 minutes, and only with sexual stimulation. A very fatty meal can delay it.

How long does it last?

The effect usually lasts around 4 to 5 hours. It varies from man to man.

Can I take it with food or alcohol?

You can take it with or without food, but a very fatty meal may slow it. Keep alcohol low, as it can add to dizziness. Avoid grapefruit juice.

Can I take it every day?

No. Valif is taken only when needed, no more than once in 24 hours.

What should I do if it does not work?

Do not raise the dose or take a second tablet. Speak to your doctor, who can check how you are taking it, look for causes, and suggest a different dose or treatment.

Does it increase sex drive or penis size?

No. Vardenafil only helps blood flow when you are aroused. It does not raise desire and does not change penis size.

Does it protect against sexually transmitted infections?

No. It does not protect against infections or work as contraception.

Is it safe if I have heart disease?

It depends on the condition. Some heart problems rule it out completely, so your doctor must decide.

Do I need a prescription?

In most countries vardenafil is a prescription medicine, so use it only as directed by a doctor and check your local rules.