Vardenafil and Empagliflozin: Can You Take Them Together?

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Vardenafil and Empagliflozin: Understanding the Interaction

Published: 30 October 2026

Many men taking empagliflozin for type 2 diabetes wonder whether vardenafil and empagliflozin can be taken together safely. The good news is that no major direct interaction between vardenafil (a treatment for erectile dysfunction) and empagliflozin (an SGLT2 inhibitor used to manage blood sugar) is commonly reported. However, because both medicines can affect blood pressure and because diabetes itself increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, your prescriber will carefully review your full medical history and current medicines during your consultation to ensure vardenafil is safe and appropriate for you.

What is vardenafil and empagliflozin?

Vardenafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men. It belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which work by relaxing blood vessels in the penis, allowing increased blood flow when you are sexually aroused [5]. Vardenafil is the generic version of Levitra and is typically taken about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. It is available in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets, and you should not take it more than once a day. Sexual stimulation is needed for vardenafil to work.

Empagliflozin is a prescription medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called SGLT2 (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2) inhibitors, which help lower blood sugar by causing your kidneys to remove excess glucose through your urine. Empagliflozin is also used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalisation in people with heart failure or chronic kidney disease. Common brand names include Jardiance. Because empagliflozin can cause a modest reduction in blood pressure and because diabetes is a known risk factor for ED, many men with type 2 diabetes may be prescribed both empagliflozin and an ED treatment like vardenafil.

Do vardenafil and empagliflozin interact with each other?

There is no major direct drug interaction commonly reported between vardenafil and empagliflozin. They work through different mechanisms in the body: vardenafil acts on blood vessels in the penis to improve erectile function, while empagliflozin works on the kidneys to help control blood sugar levels. Neither medicine is known to significantly affect the metabolism or effectiveness of the other.

However, both medicines can lower blood pressure. Empagliflozin may cause a modest drop in blood pressure, particularly when you first start taking it or if you are also taking other blood-pressure-lowering medicines. Vardenafil, like all PDE5 inhibitors, can also cause a temporary reduction in blood pressure [5]. When taken together, there is a theoretical possibility that the blood-pressure-lowering effects could add up, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting, especially when standing up quickly. This is why your prescriber will review your blood pressure, cardiovascular health, and all current medicines during your consultation to ensure the combination is safe for you.

How the interaction works in plain English

Think of blood pressure as the force pushing blood through your arteries. Empagliflozin can reduce the volume of fluid in your blood vessels (by making you pass more urine), which gently lowers blood pressure. Vardenafil relaxes certain blood vessels, which also reduces blood pressure temporarily. When you take both medicines, these effects can combine, so your blood pressure might drop a little more than with either medicine alone. For most men, this is not a problem, but it is important that your prescriber knows about all your medicines so they can check your blood pressure is stable and start you on the right dose of vardenafil.

What does your prescriber check before prescribing vardenafil and empagliflozin together?

Before prescribing vardenafil, your prescriber will ask about your full medical history, including your diabetes control, blood pressure, and any heart or kidney problems. They will want to know all the medicines you are currently taking, including empagliflozin and any other blood-pressure medicines, to assess the overall risk of low blood pressure or other interactions [2]. If you are taking other medicines that lower blood pressure (such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or diuretics), your prescriber will take extra care to ensure the combination is safe.

Your prescriber will also check that you do not have any conditions that make vardenafil unsuitable, such as recent heart attack or stroke, unstable angina, severe heart failure, very low blood pressure, or if you are taking nitrates, nicorandil, or riociguat (which must never be taken with vardenafil) [5]. They will review your diabetes control and cardiovascular risk, because poorly controlled diabetes and heart disease can both contribute to ED. If you are stable on empagliflozin and your blood pressure is well controlled, vardenafil is usually safe to start at the lowest effective dose. Your prescriber may also advise lifestyle measures such as reducing alcohol, stopping smoking, and increasing physical activity, all of which can improve both diabetes control and erectile function [1][2].

Practical advice for taking vardenafil with empagliflozin

If your prescriber approves vardenafil for you, take it exactly as directed. Vardenafil is usually taken about 25 to 60 minutes before you plan to have sex, and you should not take more than one dose in 24 hours [5]. You can take vardenafil with or without food, but a heavy or high-fat meal may delay how quickly it works. Continue taking your empagliflozin exactly as prescribed by your diabetes specialist or GP, usually once a day in the morning. Do not stop or change the dose of either medicine without medical advice.

Stay well hydrated, especially in hot weather or if you are unwell, because empagliflozin increases urine output and dehydration can increase the risk of low blood pressure and dizziness. Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol when taking vardenafil, as alcohol can worsen erectile dysfunction and add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect, increasing the risk of dizziness or fainting. If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down until the feeling passes, and avoid driving or operating machinery. If dizziness persists or you experience chest pain, fainting, or an erection lasting more than four hours, seek urgent medical help.

Monitoring and follow-up

Keep all your routine appointments with your GP or diabetes nurse to monitor your blood sugar, blood pressure, and kidney function. Let them know you are taking vardenafil so they can check your blood pressure and adjust your diabetes or blood-pressure medicines if needed. If vardenafil does not work well for you, or if you experience side effects, contact your prescriber. They may adjust the dose, suggest a different PDE5 inhibitor (such as sildenafil or tadalafil), or investigate other causes of ED. Never take more vardenafil than prescribed in the hope of a stronger effect, as this increases the risk of side effects without improving results.

Warning signs and when to seek help with vardenafil and empagliflozin

Most men taking vardenafil and empagliflozin together do not experience serious problems, but it is important to know the warning signs that need urgent attention. If you develop chest pain or discomfort during or after sex, stop sexual activity immediately and seek urgent medical help. Do not take a nitrate medicine (such as GTN spray) if you have taken vardenafil in the past 24 hours, as the combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure [5]. If you experience a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, stop taking vardenafil and contact a doctor straight away, as this may be a sign of a rare but serious condition called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

If you have an erection that lasts longer than four hours (priapism), seek emergency medical help immediately, as this can cause permanent damage to the penis if not treated promptly. Sudden hearing loss or ringing in the ears is another rare side effect that requires urgent medical attention. If you experience severe dizziness, fainting, or a rapid or irregular heartbeat, stop taking vardenafil and contact your GP or call NHS 111 for advice. Symptoms of dehydration (such as extreme thirst, dark urine, or confusion) should also be reported to your doctor, especially if you are unwell or have been vomiting or had diarrhoea, as empagliflozin can increase the risk of dehydration and low blood pressure.

Other medicines and lifestyle factors to consider

In addition to empagliflozin, tell your prescriber about all other medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines, herbal remedies, and supplements. Vardenafil must never be taken with nitrates (such as GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational drugs called 'poppers' (amyl or alkyl nitrites), as the combination can cause a life-threatening drop in blood pressure [5]. Do not take vardenafil if you are already taking another PDE5 inhibitor (such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or avanafil), as this increases the risk of side effects without improving effectiveness.

If you are taking alpha-blockers for an enlarged prostate (such as tamsulosin, doxazosin, or alfuzosin), your prescriber will start you on the lowest dose of vardenafil and monitor you carefully, as the combination can cause dizziness or fainting. Certain medicines that affect liver enzymes (such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, or clarithromycin) can increase vardenafil levels in your blood, and vardenafil may be contraindicated or require dose adjustment [5]. Grapefruit juice can also raise vardenafil levels and should be avoided. St John's wort and some epilepsy medicines (such as carbamazepine or phenytoin) can reduce the effectiveness of vardenafil. Your prescriber will review all your medicines during your consultation to ensure vardenafil is safe for you. Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising regularly, stopping smoking, and reducing alcohol can improve both your diabetes control and erectile function [1][2].

Getting help for erectile dysfunction

If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction for the first time, it is important to see your GP, as ED can be an early warning sign of heart disease, diabetes, or other health problems [1]. Your GP can check your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and hormone levels, and review your medicines to identify any underlying causes. At Cured Pharmacy, our UK-registered prescribers can assess your suitability for vardenafil and other ED treatments through a confidential online consultation. All prescription medicines are only supplied after your consultation has been reviewed and approved by a UK prescriber. If you have any questions or concerns about taking vardenafil with empagliflozin or any other medicine, our pharmacy team is here to help.

Scientific References

1. NHS. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction (impotence). NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 30 October 2026]
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 30 October 2026]
3. Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Vardenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/vardenafil/ [accessed 30 October 2026]

Information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Prescription treatments require clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any medication.

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