Vardenafil and Blood Test Results Explained

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Key takeaways

• Vardenafil does not interfere with routine blood test results such as cholesterol or blood sugar levels.
• Your prescriber may review recent blood tests to check for conditions like diabetes or heart disease before prescribing vardenafil.
• Always tell your prescriber about all medicines you take, as some can interact with vardenafil.
• You do not need to stop vardenafil before having blood tests unless your doctor specifically advises it.
• If ED is new for you, see your GP for a full health check, as it can be an early sign of other conditions.

What is vardenafil and how does it work?

Vardenafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men [5]. It belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which also includes sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and avanafil (Spedra). Vardenafil works by relaxing blood vessels in the penis, allowing more blood to flow in when you are sexually aroused [5].

The medicine is available in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets and is usually taken about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity [5]. It does not cause an erection on its own—sexual stimulation is still needed for it to work. The effects can last for several hours, but you should not take more than one dose in 24 hours [5].

Vardenafil is only available on prescription in the UK after a consultation with a qualified prescriber. At Cured Pharmacy, a UK-registered prescriber reviews your online consultation to ensure vardenafil is suitable and safe for you before dispensing the medicine.

Does vardenafil affect your blood test results?

Vardenafil does not typically alter standard blood test results such as full blood counts, liver function tests, kidney function tests, or cholesterol panels [5]. The medicine works locally on blood vessels in the penis and does not interfere with the chemical markers that most routine blood tests measure. If you are having blood tests for monitoring a long-term condition or as part of a health check, taking vardenafil should not affect the accuracy of those results.

However, it is still important to tell the healthcare professional taking your blood sample—and the doctor who ordered the test—about all medicines you are taking, including vardenafil. This ensures they have a complete picture of your health and can interpret your results correctly. Some blood tests may be used to check whether vardenafil is safe for you to take in the first place, rather than being affected by the medicine itself.

If you have concerns about a specific blood test or have been asked to stop any medicines before a test, speak to your GP or the healthcare professional who requested the blood work. Do not stop taking any prescribed medicine, including vardenafil, without medical advice.

What about other lab tests?

Vardenafil does not interfere with urine tests, ECG (heart tracing) results, or imaging tests such as X-rays or ultrasounds. If you are undergoing any medical investigation, simply inform the healthcare team that you are taking vardenafil so they can note it in your records.

What blood tests might be checked before prescribing vardenafil?

Before prescribing vardenafil, your doctor or prescriber may review recent blood test results to check for underlying health conditions that could affect whether the medicine is safe for you [2]. Common tests include blood glucose (to check for diabetes), cholesterol and lipid levels (to assess heart disease risk), and sometimes kidney or liver function tests if you have a known condition affecting those organs [2].

Erectile dysfunction can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, so blood tests help identify these conditions [1][2]. If your blood sugar or cholesterol is high, your GP may recommend lifestyle changes or other treatments alongside ED medication. Treating the underlying cause can improve both your general health and your erectile function.

You do not always need new blood tests before starting vardenafil, especially if you have had recent results or your prescriber is confident the medicine is appropriate for you. During your online consultation at Cured Pharmacy, the prescriber will ask about any recent blood tests and may advise you to see your GP for a check-up if one has not been done recently or if ED is a new problem for you [2].

Vardenafil and blood test results: interactions with other medicines

While vardenafil does not affect blood test results directly, it is essential to tell your prescriber about all medicines you take, as some can interact with vardenafil and affect how it works or increase the risk of side effects [5]. Blood tests may reveal conditions that require medicines which interact with vardenafil, so your prescriber will check your full medication list carefully.

For example, if blood tests show you have high blood pressure and you are taking an alpha-blocker such as doxazosin or tamsulosin, vardenafil can add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect and cause dizziness [5]. You should be stable on the alpha-blocker and start vardenafil at the lowest dose. If you are taking medicines that affect how your liver breaks down vardenafil—such as certain antibiotics (clarithromycin), antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), or HIV medicines (ritonavir, cobicistat)—your prescriber may need to avoid vardenafil or adjust the dose [5].

Never take vardenafil with nitrates (GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational drugs called 'poppers' (amyl or alkyl nitrites). Do not take vardenafil together with another PDE5 inhibitor such as sildenafil or tadalafil [5]. These combinations can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Always declare every medicine, supplement, and recreational substance during your consultation.

What if I start a new medicine after being prescribed vardenafil?

If your GP prescribes a new medicine after you have started vardenafil, tell them you are taking it. They can check for interactions and adjust your treatment if needed. Similarly, if you are prescribed a short course of antibiotics or other medicine, check with your GP or pharmacist whether it is safe to continue vardenafil during that time.

What should you tell your prescriber about vardenafil and blood test results?

When you complete your online consultation for vardenafil at Cured Pharmacy, you will be asked about your medical history, current medicines, and any recent blood tests or health checks [2]. Be as honest and complete as possible—this information helps the prescriber decide whether vardenafil is safe and suitable for you.

If you have had blood tests in the past six to twelve months, mention the results, especially if they showed high blood sugar, high cholesterol, kidney or liver problems, or low blood pressure. If you have not had a recent health check and you are experiencing ED for the first time, the prescriber may advise you to see your GP for a full assessment before starting treatment [1][2]. This is because ED can be an early sign of heart disease or diabetes, and treating the underlying cause is important for your long-term health.

You should also tell the prescriber if you are taking any medicines that were started based on blood test results, such as tablets for high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. The prescriber will check for interactions and ensure vardenafil is safe to take alongside your other treatments. If you are unsure about any aspect of your health or medication, it is always better to mention it—your prescriber is there to help.

Practical advice: using vardenafil safely alongside blood tests

If you are due to have blood tests, you do not need to stop taking vardenafil beforehand unless your doctor specifically tells you to. Vardenafil will not interfere with the accuracy of routine blood tests, and stopping it unnecessarily may affect your confidence and quality of life. Simply inform the healthcare professional taking the sample that you are taking vardenafil so it can be noted in your records.

If your blood test results show a new health problem—such as diabetes or high cholesterol—your GP may prescribe additional medicines. Before starting any new treatment, remind your GP that you are taking vardenafil so they can check for interactions. Most medicines can be taken safely with vardenafil, but a few require dose adjustments or are not suitable to combine [5].

Keep your prescriber and GP informed about any changes to your health or medication. If you develop new symptoms, have a hospital admission, or are prescribed a new medicine by a specialist, let your ED prescriber know at your next consultation. Regular communication ensures your treatment remains safe and effective. At Cured Pharmacy, you can message the clinical team at any time if you have questions or concerns about your vardenafil prescription.

When to see your GP

If you have not had a health check in the past year, or if ED is a new problem for you, see your GP for a full assessment [1][2]. They can arrange blood tests to check for underlying conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or low testosterone, and discuss lifestyle changes or other treatments that may help. Treating the root cause of ED can improve your overall health and make ED medicines more effective.

When to get urgent help

• An erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism)—go to A&E immediately to prevent permanent damage.
• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes—stop vardenafil and seek urgent medical help.
• Chest pain during or after sex—do not take more vardenafil; call 999 or go to A&E.
• Sudden loss of hearing or ringing in the ears—stop the medicine and see a doctor the same day.
• Severe dizziness, fainting, or signs of a severe allergic reaction (swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing)—call 999.

Call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency, or contact NHS 111 for urgent advice.

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