Viagra vs. Vardenafil

See how Viagra and Vardenafil compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Both Viagra and vardenafil are PDE5 inhibitors taken as needed before sexual activity, not daily medications.

  • Viagra tends to cause headache, flushing, and dyspepsia more often than vardenafil, based on FDA trial data.

  • Vardenafil generally has a lower typical monthly list price than Viagra, though both vary widely with insurance and pharmacy.

Viagra vs. Vardenafil Drug Summary

Viagra

Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction in adult men. It is an oral tablet taken as needed, about 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. It was FDA approved in 1998 as the first oral medication of its kind.

Vardenafil

Vardenafil is also a PDE5 inhibitor approved for erectile dysfunction in adult men, taken as an oral tablet as needed before sexual activity. It is also available as an orally disintegrating tablet. FDA approved in 2003, it works the same way as Viagra but differs in dosing strengths and warnings.

Viagra vs. Vardenafil Side Effects

Viagra

Most common
headache (up to 28%)
flushing (up to 19%)
dyspepsia (up to 17%)
nasal congestion (up to 9%)

Vardenafil

Most common
headache (up to 16%)
flushing (up to 11%)
dyspepsia (up to 4%)
nasal congestion (up to 9%)

Viagra vs. Vardenafil Dosage

Viagra

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 25 mg as needed At the start
Maximum dose 100 mg as needed If needed
Dose changes 2 increases As tolerated

Vardenafil

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 5 mg as needed At the start
Maximum dose 20 mg as needed If needed
Dose changes 2 increases As tolerated

Viagra vs. Vardenafil Indications

Viagra

Viagra is FDA approved solely for treating erectile dysfunction in adult men. It is not approved for use in women, children, or for any other condition. Off-label use outside this approval is not supported by FDA data.

  • Treats erectile dysfunction in adult men

  • Taken 30-60 minutes before sexual activity

  • Not approved for women or children

  • Available in 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg doses

Vardenafil

Vardenafil is FDA approved only for treating erectile dysfunction in adult men. It is not approved for use in women, children, or for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Off-label use outside these approvals is not supported by FDA data.

  • Treats erectile dysfunction in adult men

  • Taken shortly before sexual activity

  • Not approved for women or children

  • Available in 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg doses

Viagra vs. Vardenafil Pros and Cons

Viagra

Viagra has the longest track record of any oral ED medication, with over two decades of real-world use. It offers three dosing strengths, letting patients and doctors fine-tune the dose. Side effect rates for headache, flushing, and dyspepsia run somewhat higher than vardenafil's in FDA trials.

Pros

  • Longest real-world track record (since 1998)

  • Three dosing strengths for fine-tuning

  • Widely recognized and prescribed brand

Cons

  • Higher rates of headache, flushing, dyspepsia

  • No orally disintegrating tablet option

  • Higher typical monthly list price than vardenafil

Vardenafil

Vardenafil offers a similar clinical effect to Viagra, with generally lower rates of headache, flushing, and dyspepsia in FDA trials. It also comes as an orally disintegrating tablet for those who prefer not to swallow a pill. It carries more contraindications, including QT prolongation risk and severe kidney or liver disease.

Pros

  • Lower rates of headache, flushing, dyspepsia

  • Orally disintegrating tablet option available

  • Lower typical monthly list price than Viagra

Cons

  • More contraindications (QT, kidney, liver disease)

  • Contains phenylalanine, a concern for PKU patients

  • Brand version discontinued, only generics remain

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