Valif general information

What is Valif used for?

Valif tablets 20mg are used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men, which is inability to achieve or maintain a hard erect penis suitable for sexual activity, due to insufficient blood flow into the penis. Valif tablets 20mg relax the blood vessels in the penis increasing blood flow and causing an erection, which is the natural response to sexual stimulation. However, Valif tablets 20mg will only work if you are sexually aroused.

How does Valif work?

Valif tablets 20mg contain vardenafil which acts on the erectile tissue of the penis to increase blood flow to cause an erection. During sexual stimulation nitric oxide is released in the erectile tissue of the penis which activates the enzyme guanylate cyclase. This enzyme increases levels of a chemical called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which relaxes the blood vessels in the penis and allows blood to fill the spongy erectile tissues to cause an erection. Another enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) breaks down cGMP preventing blood flow into the penis, which causes loss of an erection. Valif tablets 20mg inhibit the action of PDE5 which resolves erectile dysfunction by allowing the natural process of sexual stimulation to activate the cGMP mechanism for achieving and maintaining an erection.

How long does Valif last?

Valif tablets 20mg should be taken within an hour of planned sex and in most cases it helps you to get an erection in about 30 minutes that will last for around 4 hours, provided you are sexually aroused. Valif tablets 20mg do not work if you are not aroused.

What does Valif contain?

Valif tablets 20mg contain the active ingredient vardenafil, which resolves erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men, by increasing blood flow into the penis.

Treating erectile dysfunction (impotence) with Valif

Valif tablets 20mg contain vardenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor that is used to treat erectile dysfunction in men (impotence). During sexual stimulation nitric oxide is released in the erectile tissue of the penis (corpus cavernosum), and activates the enzyme guanylate cyclase. This increases levels of a chemical called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) that relaxes the blood vessels in the penis and allows blood to fill the spongy erectile tissues to cause an erection. Another enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) breaks down cGMP preventing blood flow into the penis, which causes loss of an erection. When taken before planned sexual activity, Valif tablets 20mg inhibit the PDE5 allowing cGMP to continue to increase blood flow into the penis causing an erection.

What are the side effects of Valif?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Valif tablets 20mg include, headache, dizziness or light-headedness, flushing, nasal congestion, dyspepsia (heartburn), nausea. Less common side effects include, visual disturbance, increased tear formation causing watery eyes, changes in blood pressure (hypo and hypertension), sleepiness, dyspnoea (shortness of breath), pain (in the back joints, abdomen).

When should Valif not be used?

You should not use Valif tablets 20mg if you:

• are allergic to vardenafil or any ingredient in Valif tablets 20mg
• are taking any nitrate medication, such as nitroglycerin for angina, as it may lead to a severe drop in blood pressure
• have liver or kidney disease
• have a condition where sexual intercourse inadvisable due to cardiovascular or heart problems or you have had a heart attack or stroke in the last 6 months
• have abnormally high or low blood pressure
• have an eye disease like non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which causes loss of vision, or if you have retinitis pigmentosa
• are taking medication that may interact with Valif or may increase your risk for side-effects, including cimetidine for treating ulcers, antibiotics like erythromycin and rifampicin, verapamil or diltiazem (for high blood pressure), ritonavir or indinavir (for HIV), itraconazole or ketaconazole (for fungal infections) alpha-blockers like terazosin or doxazosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia

What medications interact with Valif?

Several medications interact with Valif and should either not be taken while you are taking Valif or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Valif: any nitrate medication, such as nitroglycerin for angina, alpha-blockers like terazosin or doxazosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia, verapamil or diltiazem (for high blood pressure)
• Drugs that affect Valif: cimetidine for treating ulcers, antibiotics like erythromycin and rifampicin, itraconazole or ketaconazole (for fungal infections), ritonavir or indinavir (for HIV
• Drugs that are affected by Valif: like doxazosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia

How should Valif be taken?

You should take one Valif tablet 20mg with a glass of water approximately 25-60 minutes before sexual activity with or without food. The effect of Valif tablets 20mg can last as long as 4-5 hours after taking your tablet. You should take no more than one tablet a day and only if you plan to have sex.

Missed dose of Valif

You should only take a Valif tablet 20mg when you plan to have sex; it is not intended as a regular medication.

How should Valif be stored?

You should keep your Valif tablets 20mg in their blister pack until used and store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.