Vardenafil and Lercanidipine: Can They Be Taken Together?
Learn how these medicines interact and what your prescriber checks during your UK consultation.
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Vardenafil and Lercanidipine: Understanding the Interaction
Published: 1 November 2026
Many men taking lercanidipine for high blood pressure wonder whether vardenafil and lercanidipine can be used together safely. The good news is that this combination is not contraindicated, but it does require careful prescriber assessment because both medicines can lower blood pressure. This page explains what each medicine does, how they may interact, what checks your prescriber will carry out, and practical steps to use them safely.
Start Low, Go Slow
If you're taking lercanidipine, your prescriber may recommend starting vardenafil at the lowest dose (5 mg) to minimise the risk of dizziness. Monitor how you feel and report any persistent light-headedness to your GP or pharmacist.
What Is Vardenafil and How Does It Work?
Vardenafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men. It belongs to a group of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors, which also includes sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) [3][5]. Vardenafil works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, allowing more blood to flow into the area when you are sexually aroused. This helps you achieve and maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity.
Vardenafil is available in 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets. The usual starting dose is 10 mg, taken about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity [5]. It works only when you are sexually stimulated—it will not cause an erection on its own. The effect can last for several hours, but you should not take vardenafil more than once in a 24-hour period. Because vardenafil affects blood flow, it can also have a mild blood-pressure-lowering effect, which is important when considering interactions with other medicines.
At Cured Pharmacy, vardenafil (generic Levitra) is available on prescription after an online consultation with a UK-registered prescriber. All current medicines, including blood pressure treatments, are reviewed during this assessment to ensure vardenafil is safe and suitable for you.
What Is Lercanidipine and Why Is It Prescribed?
Lercanidipine is a prescription medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It belongs to a class of medicines called calcium channel blockers, which work by relaxing and widening the blood vessels. This makes it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body and helps to lower blood pressure [12]. Lercanidipine is usually taken once a day, at least 15 minutes before a meal, and it is often prescribed when other blood pressure medicines have not been fully effective or have caused side effects.
Common side effects of lercanidipine include headache, flushing, swelling of the ankles, and dizziness, particularly when standing up quickly. These effects are related to the way lercanidipine lowers blood pressure. Because lercanidipine already reduces blood pressure, adding another medicine that also affects blood pressure—such as vardenafil—means your prescriber needs to assess the combined effect carefully.
Lercanidipine is broken down in the body by an enzyme system called CYP3A4. This is relevant because some medicines that affect this enzyme can change how lercanidipine (or vardenafil) works. Your prescriber will review all your medicines to check for any interactions that might affect how well each medicine works or increase the risk of side effects.
How Lercanidipine Affects Blood Pressure
Lercanidipine lowers blood pressure by blocking calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls. This causes the blood vessels to relax and widen, reducing the resistance to blood flow and allowing blood pressure to fall. The effect is gradual and sustained, which is why lercanidipine is taken once daily. When combined with vardenafil, which also causes blood vessels to relax (particularly in the penis but with some general effect), there is a potential for an additive blood-pressure-lowering effect. This does not mean the combination is unsafe, but it does mean careful monitoring and dose adjustment may be needed.
When to get urgent help
- Chest pain during or after sexual activity—stop and seek urgent help; do not take nitrates if you have used vardenafil in the past 24 hours
- Erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism)—go to A&E immediately to prevent permanent damage
- Sudden loss of vision or hearing—stop vardenafil and seek same-day medical advice
- Severe dizziness, fainting, or collapse—call 999 or go to A&E, as this may indicate dangerously low blood pressure
- Allergic reaction (rash, swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing)—call 999 immediately
Call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency, or contact NHS 111 for urgent advice.
Can You Take Vardenafil and Lercanidipine Together?
Yes, vardenafil and lercanidipine can be taken together, but only under the supervision of a prescriber who has reviewed your full medical history and current medicines. The combination is not contraindicated (unlike vardenafil with nitrates, nicorandil, or riociguat, which must never be taken together), but both medicines can lower blood pressure, so there is a risk of an additive effect [5][12]. This means you may experience dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting, particularly when standing up quickly or during physical activity.
The interaction between vardenafil and lercanidipine is considered moderate rather than severe. Your prescriber will assess whether your blood pressure is well controlled on lercanidipine, whether you have experienced any side effects such as dizziness, and whether starting vardenafil at a lower dose is appropriate. In many cases, men taking lercanidipine can use vardenafil safely, provided they start on the lowest effective dose and monitor for any symptoms of low blood pressure.
It is essential that you declare all your current medicines, including lercanidipine, during your online consultation at Cured Pharmacy. The prescriber will check for interactions and decide whether vardenafil is suitable for you. Never take vardenafil if you are also taking nitrates (such as GTN spray or isosorbide mononitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational drugs called 'poppers', as these combinations can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure [5].
How the Interaction Between Vardenafil and Lercanidipine Works
Both vardenafil and lercanidipine cause blood vessels to relax, but they do so through different mechanisms. Vardenafil blocks an enzyme called PDE5, which leads to increased levels of a chemical called cyclic GMP in the smooth muscle of blood vessels, particularly in the penis. This causes the blood vessels to widen and allows more blood to flow in [5]. Lercanidipine, on the other hand, blocks calcium channels in the muscle cells of blood vessel walls, preventing calcium from entering and causing the vessels to relax and widen [12].
When both medicines are taken together, their blood-pressure-lowering effects can add up. This is most likely to be noticed as dizziness or light-headedness, especially when moving from sitting or lying down to standing (a drop in blood pressure called postural hypotension). The risk is higher if you are dehydrated, have been drinking alcohol, or are taking other medicines that also lower blood pressure.
There is also a potential pharmacokinetic interaction because both vardenafil and lercanidipine are metabolised by the CYP3A4 enzyme system in the liver. In theory, one medicine could affect the blood levels of the other, although this interaction is not usually clinically significant at standard doses. Your prescriber will consider your overall medication list and any other factors that might affect how these medicines are processed in your body.
What Does This Mean in Plain English?
In simple terms, both vardenafil and lercanidipine help blood vessels relax, which can lower your blood pressure. When you take them together, the combined effect on blood pressure may be greater than with either medicine alone. This does not mean the combination is dangerous for everyone, but it does mean you need to be monitored and may need to start on a lower dose of vardenafil. If you feel dizzy, faint, or unwell after taking vardenafil, sit or lie down and contact your GP or pharmacist for advice.
At a glance
What Your Prescriber Will Check Before Approving Vardenafil
When you request vardenafil through Cured Pharmacy, a UK-registered prescriber will review your online consultation answers carefully. They will check your current medicines, including lercanidipine, to assess for interactions. The prescriber will want to know whether your blood pressure is well controlled, whether you have experienced any side effects from lercanidipine (such as dizziness or ankle swelling), and whether you have any other cardiovascular conditions [2][5].
The prescriber will also check that you are not taking any medicines that are contraindicated with vardenafil, such as nitrates (GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or another PDE5 inhibitor. They will ask about your general health, including any history of heart attack, stroke, angina, heart failure, liver or kidney problems, or eye conditions such as non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) [5][12]. If you are taking other blood-pressure medicines in addition to lercanidipine, the prescriber will assess the combined effect.
If the prescriber approves vardenafil, they may recommend starting on the lowest dose (5 mg) to minimise the risk of low blood pressure. They will advise you to monitor for symptoms such as dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting, and to contact your GP or pharmacist if these occur. The prescriber may also suggest avoiding alcohol or heavy meals close to the time you take vardenafil, as these can increase the risk of side effects.
Practical Advice for Taking Vardenafil and Lercanidipine Safely
If your prescriber approves vardenafil while you are taking lercanidipine, there are several practical steps you can take to use both medicines safely. First, take vardenafil exactly as prescribed—do not take more than one dose in 24 hours, and do not increase the dose without consulting your prescriber [5]. Take lercanidipine as usual, at least 15 minutes before a meal, and continue to monitor your blood pressure if you have a home monitor.
Be cautious when standing up quickly, especially in the first few hours after taking vardenafil. Sit on the edge of the bed or chair for a moment before standing to reduce the risk of dizziness. Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol, as this can lower blood pressure further and make side effects more likely. Stay well hydrated, but do not drink grapefruit juice, as it can increase the levels of both vardenafil and lercanidipine in your blood [5][12].
If you experience chest pain during or after sexual activity, stop and seek urgent medical help. Do not take any nitrate medicines (such as GTN spray) if you have used vardenafil in the past 24 hours, as this can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure [5]. If you develop a prolonged erection lasting more than four hours (priapism), sudden loss of vision or hearing, or severe dizziness or fainting, seek immediate medical attention. Always inform any healthcare professional treating you that you are taking both vardenafil and lercanidipine.
When to Contact Your GP or Pharmacist
Contact your GP or pharmacist if you experience persistent dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting after starting vardenafil. These symptoms may indicate that your blood pressure is too low and your dose may need adjusting. Also contact your healthcare team if vardenafil does not work for you, as there may be other treatment options available, or if you develop any new or worsening side effects from either medicine. Never stop taking lercanidipine suddenly without medical advice, as this can cause your blood pressure to rise rapidly.
In summary
- Vardenafil and lercanidipine can be taken together under prescriber supervision, but both lower blood pressure.
- Your prescriber may start you on a lower vardenafil dose to reduce the risk of dizziness or fainting.
- Never take vardenafil with nitrates, nicorandil, or riociguat—this combination is dangerous.
- Contact your GP if you experience persistent dizziness or light-headedness after starting vardenafil.
- Declare all current medicines during your online consultation to ensure vardenafil is safe for you.
Scientific References
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 1 November 2026]
- Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Sildenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/sildenafil/ [accessed 1 November 2026]
- Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Vardenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/vardenafil/ [accessed 1 November 2026]
- Electronic Medicines Compendium. (n.d.). Summaries of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflets. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/ [accessed 1 November 2026]
- NHS. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction (impotence). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/ Accessed 1 November 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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