Vardenafil and Etoricoxib: Can You Take Them Together?
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Vardenafil and Etoricoxib: Understanding the Interaction
Published: 30 October 2026
Many men wonder whether vardenafil and etoricoxib can be taken together safely. The good news is that no major direct interaction is commonly reported between vardenafil (a medicine for erectile dysfunction) and etoricoxib (a painkiller used for arthritis and other painful conditions). However, both medicines can affect your cardiovascular system, so your prescriber will carefully review your overall health, blood pressure, and heart function before confirming this combination is suitable for you.
At a glance
What Is Vardenafil?
Vardenafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men [5]. It belongs to a group of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors, which work by relaxing blood vessels in the penis, allowing increased blood flow when you are sexually aroused. Vardenafil is the generic version of the branded medicine Levitra.
Vardenafil is available in 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets. You typically take it about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity, and it works only when you are sexually stimulated [5]. The effects can last for several hours, but you should not take more than one dose in 24 hours. Like all PDE5 inhibitors, vardenafil requires a prescription and is only supplied after an online or face-to-face consultation with a UK-registered prescriber.
Common side effects include headache, flushing, indigestion, and nasal congestion. Vardenafil is not suitable for everyone—particularly men taking nitrates, nicorandil, or riociguat, or those with certain heart conditions. Your prescriber will check your medical history and current medicines to ensure vardenafil is safe for you.
What Is Etoricoxib?
Etoricoxib is a prescription-only non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and inflammation in conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and gout. It is marketed under the brand name Arcoxia in the UK. Etoricoxib belongs to a subclass of NSAIDs called COX-2 inhibitors, which are designed to reduce inflammation while causing fewer stomach problems than older NSAIDs.
Etoricoxib is usually taken once daily, with or without food. Common doses range from 30 mg to 120 mg, depending on the condition being treated. Like all NSAIDs, etoricoxib can increase the risk of cardiovascular events (such as heart attack or stroke), particularly at higher doses or with long-term use. It can also raise blood pressure and affect kidney function.
Because etoricoxib has cardiovascular effects, your doctor will assess your heart health and blood pressure before prescribing it. You should not take etoricoxib if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, established heart disease, or a history of stroke. Your GP or specialist will weigh the benefits against the risks for your individual situation.
Why Etoricoxib Matters for ED Treatment
Etoricoxib can raise blood pressure and may increase the risk of heart problems, especially in people with existing cardiovascular risk factors. Because erectile dysfunction medicines like vardenafil also affect blood flow and can lower blood pressure slightly, your prescriber needs to know about all your medicines—including etoricoxib—to assess your overall cardiovascular risk and ensure the combination is safe for you.
Can You Take Vardenafil and Etoricoxib Together?
There is no major direct drug interaction commonly reported between vardenafil and etoricoxib. This means that, in general, the two medicines do not interfere with each other's metabolism or significantly increase the risk of side effects when taken together. However, this does not automatically mean the combination is safe for everyone.
Both medicines can affect your cardiovascular system. Etoricoxib can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, particularly in people with existing heart disease or risk factors. Vardenafil, like all PDE5 inhibitors, can cause a small drop in blood pressure and is not suitable for men with certain heart conditions or those taking nitrates. Your prescriber will therefore assess your heart health, blood pressure, and overall cardiovascular risk before approving this combination.
If you are already taking etoricoxib and are considering vardenafil for erectile dysfunction, you must declare this during your consultation. Your prescriber will review your full medical history, current medicines, and any recent blood pressure readings. They may advise starting on a lower dose of vardenafil or monitoring your blood pressure more closely. Never take vardenafil without a prescription, and never assume a combination is safe without professional advice.
What you need to know
- No major direct interaction is commonly reported between vardenafil and etoricoxib
- Both medicines can affect your cardiovascular system, so prescribers check your heart health and blood pressure
- Always declare all medicines, including painkillers, during your ED consultation
- Never take vardenafil with nitrates, nicorandil, riociguat, or poppers—these combinations are dangerous
- Seek urgent help for chest pain during sex, erection lasting over 4 hours, or sudden vision or hearing loss
What Your Prescriber Checks When You Take Vardenafil and Etoricoxib
When you request vardenafil and are taking etoricoxib, your prescriber will carry out a thorough assessment to ensure the combination is safe for you. They will ask about your cardiovascular health, including any history of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, or heart attack. They will also check your current blood pressure and ask whether it is well controlled.
Your prescriber will review all your current medicines, not just etoricoxib. They will check for any contraindicated combinations—such as nitrates, nicorandil, or riociguat—which must never be taken with vardenafil. They will also ask about other medicines that can affect blood pressure or interact with vardenafil, such as alpha-blockers or potent CYP3A4 inhibitors.
If you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease (such as diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, or a family history of heart disease), your prescriber may recommend seeing your GP for a cardiovascular check-up before starting vardenafil. They may also suggest lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, reducing alcohol intake, or increasing physical activity, which can improve both erectile function and overall heart health. The goal is to ensure that sexual activity and vardenafil are safe for you, particularly when you are taking a medicine like etoricoxib that can affect your heart and blood vessels.
Starting Dose and Monitoring
If your prescriber approves the combination, they may start you on a lower dose of vardenafil (such as 5 mg or 10 mg) to minimise the risk of side effects. They may also advise you to monitor your blood pressure at home or have it checked regularly by your GP or pharmacist. If you experience dizziness, light-headedness, chest pain, or any other concerning symptoms, you should stop taking vardenafil and seek medical advice promptly.
Practical Advice for Taking Vardenafil and Etoricoxib Safely
If you have been prescribed both vardenafil and etoricoxib, there are several practical steps you can take to use them safely. First, always take each medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not increase the dose of vardenafil without consulting your prescriber, and do not take etoricoxib for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Monitor your blood pressure regularly, especially when you first start taking vardenafil or if your etoricoxib dose changes. If you notice your blood pressure rising or you feel dizzy or light-headed, contact your GP or prescriber. Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol, as this can worsen erectile dysfunction, increase the risk of side effects from vardenafil (such as dizziness or low blood pressure), and add to the cardiovascular risks associated with etoricoxib.
Be aware of warning signs that require urgent medical attention. If you develop chest pain during or after sexual activity, stop and seek immediate help. If you experience a sudden loss of vision or hearing, or if you have an erection lasting more than four hours (priapism), go to A&E or call 999. These are rare but serious side effects of PDE5 inhibitors that require prompt treatment.
Finally, keep all your healthcare providers informed. If you see a different doctor or pharmacist, make sure they know you are taking both vardenafil and etoricoxib. If you are prescribed a new medicine, check with your pharmacist whether it is safe to take alongside your current treatments. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without professional advice.
When to get urgent help
- Chest pain during or after sexual activity—stop and call 999 immediately
- Erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism)—go to A&E straight away to prevent permanent damage
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes—stop vardenafil and seek urgent medical help
- Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, possibly with ringing in the ears or dizziness—stop vardenafil and see a doctor urgently
- Severe dizziness, fainting, or signs of very low blood pressure—lie down and call 111 or 999 if symptoms are severe
Call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency, or contact NHS 111 for urgent advice.
Other Medicines and Vardenafil: What Else Should You Know?
While vardenafil and etoricoxib do not have a major direct interaction, vardenafil does interact significantly with several other medicines. You must never take vardenafil with nitrates (such as GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or amyl/alkyl nitrites (poppers). These combinations can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure and are absolutely contraindicated [5].
If you take alpha-blockers for prostate problems or high blood pressure (such as tamsulosin, doxazosin, or alfuzosin), there is a risk of low blood pressure and dizziness when combined with vardenafil. You should be stable on your alpha-blocker before starting vardenafil, and your prescriber will usually start you on the lowest dose. Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors—such as ritonavir, cobicistat, ketoconazole, itraconazole, or clarithromycin—can raise vardenafil levels in your blood. Vardenafil is often contraindicated or requires dose adjustment with these medicines, so your prescriber must check the Summary of Product Characteristics [5].
Other blood pressure medicines (such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, or diuretics) can add to the blood pressure-lowering effect of vardenafil, potentially causing dizziness. This is usually manageable, but you must declare all your medicines during your consultation. Grapefruit juice can also raise vardenafil levels and should be avoided. Your prescriber and pharmacist will check every medicine you take to ensure vardenafil is safe for you.
What If You Take Other NSAIDs?
If you take a different NSAID—such as ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, or celecoxib—the same principles apply. There is no major direct interaction with vardenafil, but NSAIDs can affect your cardiovascular system and blood pressure. Your prescriber will assess your overall cardiovascular risk and ensure that sexual activity and vardenafil are safe for you. Always declare all over-the-counter and prescription painkillers during your consultation.
Always Declare All Your Medicines
Even if a medicine is available over the counter or seems unrelated to erectile dysfunction, always tell your prescriber about it. This includes painkillers like etoricoxib, ibuprofen, or aspirin, as well as herbal remedies and supplements. Your prescriber needs the full picture to keep you safe.
Scientific References
- NHS. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction (impotence). NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 30 October 2026]
- 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]
- Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Vardenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/vardenafil/ [accessed 30 October 2026]
- Electronic Medicines Compendium. (n.d.). Summaries of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflets. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/ [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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Your Questions Answered
Can I take vardenafil if I take etoricoxib every day?
There is no major direct interaction, but your prescriber will assess your cardiovascular health and blood pressure before approving vardenafil, as both medicines can affect your heart and blood vessels.
Do I need to stop etoricoxib before starting vardenafil?
No, you do not usually need to stop etoricoxib. However, you must declare it during your consultation so your prescriber can assess whether the combination is safe for you.
Can etoricoxib make erectile dysfunction worse?
Etoricoxib itself does not directly cause erectile dysfunction, but it can raise blood pressure and increase cardiovascular risk, which may indirectly affect erectile function in some men.
What should I do if I feel dizzy after taking vardenafil and etoricoxib?
Sit or lie down until the dizziness passes, and avoid driving or operating machinery. If dizziness is severe or persistent, contact your GP or prescriber for advice.
Can I take ibuprofen instead of etoricoxib with vardenafil?
Ibuprofen also has no major direct interaction with vardenafil, but your prescriber will still assess your cardiovascular health. Always declare all painkillers during your consultation.
Are there any painkillers I should avoid with vardenafil?
There are no painkillers that are absolutely contraindicated with vardenafil, but your prescriber will assess your overall cardiovascular risk, especially if you take NSAIDs regularly or have heart disease.
Can I take vardenafil if I have high blood pressure and take etoricoxib?
Possibly, but only if your blood pressure is well controlled. Your prescriber will check your blood pressure and cardiovascular health before approving vardenafil.
What other ED medicines can I take with etoricoxib?
Other PDE5 inhibitors—such as sildenafil, tadalafil, and avanafil—have no major direct interaction with etoricoxib. Your prescriber will assess your cardiovascular health for any ED medicine you request.
Medically reviewed by
Tarun Kumar, Superintendent Pharmacist (GPhC 2233073)