Staxyn (vardenafil)

Staxyn (vardenafil): What is it?

Staxyn (vardenafil) is a member of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor drug class. Vardenafil improves blood flow to specific parts of the body by relaxing the muscles in blood vessel walls.

During sexual stimulation, Staxyn oral disintegrating pills increase blood flow to the penis. An erection may result from this increased blood flow.

Men with erectile dysfunction (impotence; inability to achieve or maintain an erection) are treated with oral disintegrating pills called Staxyn.

Staxyn doesn’t improve sexual desire or treat erectile dysfunction. Pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, are not prevented by this medication.

 

Before Taking This Medicine

If you have a vardenafil allergy or are on riociguat (Adempas) or any other medication for pulmonary arterial hypertension, you should avoid using Staxyn.

If you are also taking a nitrate medication for heart issues or chest pain, such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate, do not use vardenafil. Some recreational drugs, such amyl nitrite (“poppers”), also include nitrates. A sharp drop in blood pressure might occur when vardenafil is used with a nitrate medication.

To make sure Staxyn (vardenafil) is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• Heart Disease, Heart Rhythm Problems;
• A Heart Attack, Stroke, or Congestive Heart Failure;
• Long QT Syndrome (in you or a family member);
• High or Low Blood Pressure;
• Seizure (convulsions);
• A blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;
• A bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
• A stomach ulcer;
• Hearing or Vision Problems, Vision Loss;
• An eye disorder such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
• A physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie’s Disease);
• If you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons; or
• Liver Disease, Kidney Disease (or if you are on dialysis).

Vardenafil can cause abrupt vision loss by reducing blood flow to the eye’s optic nerve. Few people have experienced this, and those who smoked or were older than 50 years old were more likely to have heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or specific pre-existing eye conditions. Whether vardenafil is the true cause of eyesight loss is unclear.

Phenylalanine may be included in oral disintegrating tablets of Staxyn. If you suffer from phenylketonuria (PKU), consult your physician before taking this type of vardenafil.

Staxyn (vardenafil) is not authorized for usage in women, and it is uncertain how this medication would affect expectant or nursing mothers.

 

How Should Staxyn (vardenafil) Be Used?

Staxyn orally disintegrating tablets should not be used in place of Levitra (vardenafil regular tablets). Avoid medication errors by using only the form and strength your doctor prescribes.

As directed by your physician, take Staxyn precisely as directed. Read all drug instructions or instruction sheets, and do as directed on your prescription label.

Staxyn can be taken with or without food.

When you’re ready to take a Staxyn oral disintegrating tablet, take it out of the container. Without chewing, put the tablet in your mouth and let it dissolve. As the tablet dissolves, swallow it multiple times. Avoid swallowing the tablet while drinking anything.

Staxyn is taken only when needed, about 60 minutes before sexual activity. The medicine can help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill.

If your erection hurts or lasts longer than four hours, call your doctor or get emergency care. The penis may be harmed by priapism, a prolonged erection.

Inform your caregivers when you last took Staxyn if you are receiving treatment for heart issues.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections can spread without this medication.

Keep out of the heat and moisture and store at room temperature.

 

Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Erectile Dysfunction: 

-Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day, as needed, approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity. Increase to 20 mg or decrease to 5 mg based on efficacy and tolerability.
-Maximum dose: 20 mg once a day

Patients on stable alpha blocker therapy:
-Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day

Comments:
-Sexual stimulation is required for a response to treatment.
–A time interval between dosing should be considered when administering this drug concomitantly with alpha-blockers.
–Patients taking alpha-blockers should not initiate vardenafil therapy with the orally disintegrating tablet.

Use: Erectile dysfunction

The typical dosage for erectile dysfunction in older adults:

65 years or older:
-Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day, as needed, approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity

Comments:

Sexual stimulation is required for a response to treatment.

Use: Erectile dysfunction.

 

What Happens If I Overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line.

 

What Should I Stay Away From When Taking Staxyn (vardenafil)?

Vardenafil with grapefruit and Seville oranges may interact and result in negative side effects. Steer clear of orange marmalades and grapefruit products.

Vardenafil side effects may worsen if you drink alcohol.

Unless directed by your physician, avoid using any additional medications to treat impotence.

 

Staxyn (vardenafil) Side Effects

If you experience any of the following symptoms of a Staxyn allergic reaction: hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, get emergency medical attention.

Stop using Staxyn and get emergency medical help if you have:

• Heart Attack Symptoms – chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• Vision Changes or sudden Vision Loss; or
• Erection is Painful or lasts longer than 4 hours (prolonged erection can damage the penis).

Vardenafil may cause serious side effects. Stop using Staxyn and call your doctor at once if you have:

• Ringing in your Ears, or sudden Hearing Loss;
• Irregular Heartbeat;
• Swelling in your Hands, Ankles, or Feet;
• Shortness of Breath;
• A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or
• Seizure (convulsions).

Common Staxyn side effects may include:

• Flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• Stuffy Nose, Sinus Pain;
• Headache, Dizziness;
• Upset Stomach; or
• Back Pain.

There may be other adverse effects; this is not an exhaustive list. For medical advice on side effects, give your doctor a call. You can call to report negative effects.

 

Which Additional Medications Will Affect Staxyn?

Avoid taking Staxyn along with similar drugs like tadalafil (Cialis), sildenafil (Viagra), or avanafil (Stendra). All additional erectile dysfunction drugs should be disclosed to your doctor.

Inform a doctor of all additional medications you use, particularly:

• An Antibiotic: Clarithromycin, Erythromycin;
• Antifungal Medicine: Itraconazole, Ketoconazole;
• Drugs to treat High Blood Pressure or a Prostate Disorder: Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Prazosin, Silodosin, Terazosin, Tamsulosin;
• Heart Rhythm Medicine: Amiodarone, Dronedarone, Procainamide, Quinidine, Sotalol; or
• HIV/AIDS Medicine: Atazanavir, Indinavir, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Cobicistat, and others.

This list is not complete and many Other drugs may interact with vardenafil. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.