Vardenafil and Buspirone: Can They Be Taken Together?

Takes less than 2 minutes to complete 100% online

At a glance

What is vardenafil and how does it work?

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

The medicine is usually taken about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity, and you should not take it more than once a day. Vardenafil comes in different strengths: 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets. It only works when you are sexually stimulated, so it will not cause an erection on its own[5].

Common side effects include headache, flushing, indigestion, and nasal congestion. Vardenafil can lower blood pressure slightly, which is why it must not be taken with certain other medicines, particularly nitrates (such as GTN spray), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational drugs called 'poppers'[5]. Your prescriber will check your suitability during the online consultation.

What is buspirone and why is it prescribed?

Buspirone is a prescription medicine used to treat anxiety disorders. Unlike some other anxiety medicines (such as benzodiazepines), buspirone does not cause sedation or dependence, and it works gradually over several weeks. It affects certain chemical messengers in the brain, particularly serotonin, to help reduce feelings of anxiety.

Buspirone is usually taken two or three times a day, and it may take two to four weeks before you notice the full benefit. It is not a 'quick fix' for panic attacks; instead, it helps to manage ongoing generalised anxiety. Common side effects include dizziness, headache, nausea, and nervousness, especially when you first start taking it.

Because buspirone can occasionally cause dizziness or light-headedness, particularly when standing up, it is important to tell your prescriber about all your medicines. Buspirone does not directly affect the mechanism of action of PDE5 inhibitors like vardenafil, but both medicines can influence how you feel, so a careful assessment is always needed.

How do vardenafil and buspirone interact?

There is no well-documented direct pharmacological interaction between vardenafil and buspirone. They work through different pathways in the body: vardenafil acts on blood vessels in the penis by inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme, while buspirone affects serotonin receptors in the brain to reduce anxiety. Neither medicine is known to significantly alter the blood levels or effectiveness of the other.

However, both medicines can cause dizziness or light-headedness as side effects. Vardenafil can lower blood pressure slightly, and buspirone may cause dizziness, particularly when you first start taking it or when you stand up quickly. If you experience both side effects together, you may feel more unsteady or dizzy than you would with either medicine alone.

For this reason, your prescriber will review your full medication list, medical history, and current blood pressure during your consultation. If you are already stable on buspirone and have no significant blood pressure problems, adding vardenafil is usually considered safe, but the decision must be made on an individual basis. Always report any unusual dizziness, fainting, or other new symptoms to your doctor or pharmacist.

What your prescriber will check

During your online consultation, the prescriber will ask about your current dose of buspirone, how long you have been taking it, and whether you have experienced any side effects such as dizziness. They will also check your blood pressure, any heart conditions, and all other medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter products and herbal supplements. If you take any medicines that are known to interact dangerously with vardenafil—such as nitrates, nicorandil, or riociguat—vardenafil will not be prescribed. The prescriber may recommend starting on the lowest effective dose of vardenafil to minimise the risk of side effects.

What you need to know

• No major direct interaction between vardenafil and buspirone is commonly reported
• Both medicines can cause dizziness, so prescribers check blood pressure and overall health
• Never take vardenafil with nitrates, nicorandil, riociguat, or poppers
• Declare all current medicines during your consultation for a full safety review
• Seek urgent help for erections lasting over 4 hours or sudden vision or hearing loss

Practical advice for taking vardenafil and buspirone together

If your prescriber approves the combination, take each medicine exactly as directed. Buspirone is usually taken regularly every day, while vardenafil is taken only when you plan to have sexual activity (and no more than once in 24 hours). Do not change the dose or timing of either medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Be aware of how you feel when you first start taking vardenafil, especially if you are already on buspirone. Stand up slowly from sitting or lying down to reduce the risk of dizziness. Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol, as this can make dizziness worse and may also reduce the effectiveness of vardenafil. Grapefruit juice should be avoided, as it can increase the levels of vardenafil in your blood.

If you experience unusual dizziness, fainting, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, or any other concerning symptoms, stop taking vardenafil and seek medical advice. Never take vardenafil with nitrates, nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational 'poppers', as this combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Keep both your GP and your online prescriber informed of any changes to your medicines or health.

Other medicines and vardenafil: what you need to know

Vardenafil can interact with several other medicines, so it is essential to declare your full medication list during your consultation. Do not take vardenafil together with nitrates (such as GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or another PDE5 inhibitor (such as sildenafil or tadalafil). These combinations can cause a serious fall in blood pressure[5].

Alpha-blockers (such as doxazosin, tamsulosin, or alfuzosin), used for prostate problems or high blood pressure, can also lower blood pressure when combined with vardenafil. If you take an alpha-blocker, your prescriber will ensure you are stable on it and may start you on the lowest dose of vardenafil. Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, or clarithromycin) can raise vardenafil levels significantly; vardenafil is often avoided or contraindicated with these medicines[5].

Medicines that induce CYP3A4 (such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, or St John's wort) can reduce the effectiveness of vardenafil. Other blood-pressure-lowering medicines may add to the blood-pressure effect of vardenafil, but this is usually manageable. Your prescriber and pharmacist will check every medicine you are taking to ensure vardenafil is safe for you.

When vardenafil is not suitable

Vardenafil is not suitable for everyone. It should not be used if you have been advised to avoid sexual activity (for example, after a recent heart attack or stroke, or if you have unstable angina or severe heart failure). It is also not suitable if you have very low blood pressure, a history of sudden vision loss (NAION), or certain inherited eye conditions. Your prescriber will review your medical history carefully to ensure vardenafil is safe and appropriate for you[5].

When to get urgent help

• Erection lasting longer than 4 hours (priapism) – go to A&E immediately
• Sudden loss of vision or hearing – stop vardenafil and seek urgent medical help
• Chest pain during or after sex – seek urgent medical advice
• Severe dizziness, fainting, or very fast/irregular heartbeat – contact a doctor promptly
• Accidentally took vardenafil with nitrates, nicorandil, or poppers – call 999

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

When to seek urgent medical help

Although serious side effects from vardenafil are uncommon, you should know the warning signs that require urgent attention. If you develop an erection that lasts longer than four hours (priapism), seek emergency medical help immediately, as this can cause permanent damage if not treated promptly. Priapism is a medical emergency.

Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, or sudden decrease or loss of hearing (which may be accompanied by ringing in the ears or dizziness), requires immediate medical attention. Stop taking vardenafil and contact a doctor or go to A&E straight away. If you experience chest pain during or after sexual activity, do not use more vardenafil; seek urgent medical advice, as this may indicate a heart problem[5].

Severe dizziness, fainting, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat should also prompt you to seek help. If you accidentally take vardenafil together with a nitrate medicine, nicorandil, or 'poppers', call 999 or go to A&E immediately, even if you feel well, as your blood pressure may drop dangerously. Always keep your prescriber and pharmacist informed of any new symptoms or concerns.

How Cured Pharmacy can help

Cured Pharmacy is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy (GPhC 9012511) offering discreet, convenient access to erectile dysfunction treatments. Every order requires an online consultation reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber, who will check your suitability for vardenafil or other ED medicines, including all current medicines such as buspirone. If approved, your medicine is dispensed by our qualified pharmacists and delivered discreetly to your door. We are here to answer your questions and support your health with professional, compassionate care.

Start Your Assessment For Erectile Dysfunction

Start your journey to better health today.

• Reviewed by UK-based prescribers
• Takes under 3 minutes
• Discreet Packaging