Vardenafil and Maraviroc: Can They Be Taken Together?

Takes less than 2 minutes to complete 100% online

Vardenafil and Maraviroc: Understanding the Interaction

Published: 1 November 2026

If you're prescribed vardenafil for erectile dysfunction and maraviroc for HIV treatment, you may wonder whether vardenafil and maraviroc can be taken together safely. The good news is that no major interaction is commonly reported between these two medicines, but your prescriber will still review your full medication list to ensure the combination is appropriate for you. This page explains what each medicine does, how they may affect each other, and what safety checks are carried out during your consultation.

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 work by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, allowing more blood to flow in when you are sexually aroused. This helps you achieve and maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity [5].

Vardenafil is available in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets and is usually taken about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. The effect can last for several hours, but you should not take it more than once a day. It's important to remember that vardenafil only works when you are sexually stimulated—it will not cause an erection on its own [5].

Common side effects include headache, flushing, indigestion, and nasal congestion. Vardenafil is not suitable for everyone, particularly those taking nitrates, nicorandil, riociguat, or other PDE5 inhibitors, as these combinations can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure [5].

What Is Maraviroc and Why Is It Prescribed?

Maraviroc is an antiretroviral medicine used to treat HIV-1 infection in adults. It belongs to a class of medicines called CCR5 antagonists, which work by blocking a protein on the surface of certain immune cells that the HIV virus uses to enter and infect those cells. By blocking this entry point, maraviroc helps to reduce the amount of HIV in your blood and slow the progression of the infection.

Maraviroc is typically prescribed as part of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), alongside other HIV medicines. It is usually taken twice daily, with or without food, and the dose may be adjusted depending on what other medicines you are taking. Your HIV specialist will monitor your viral load and CD4 count regularly to ensure the treatment is working effectively.

Like all medicines, maraviroc can cause side effects, including cough, fever, rash, dizziness, and stomach upset. It's important to take maraviroc exactly as prescribed and not to miss doses, as this can lead to the virus becoming resistant to treatment.

Do Vardenafil and Maraviroc Interact?

No major interaction is commonly reported between vardenafil and maraviroc when they are taken together. Maraviroc is not known to significantly affect the enzymes that break down vardenafil in the body, so it is unlikely to raise or lower vardenafil levels in a clinically meaningful way. However, every person's medication regimen is unique, and your prescriber will review all your current medicines during the consultation to ensure the combination is safe for you.

It's important to note that many people living with HIV take multiple antiretroviral medicines as part of combination therapy. Some of these other medicines—particularly those that are potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as ritonavir or cobicistat—can interact with vardenafil and increase the risk of side effects. If you are taking a boosted antiretroviral regimen (one that includes ritonavir or cobicistat), your prescriber may need to adjust your vardenafil dose or recommend an alternative ED treatment [5].

Always declare every medicine you are taking, including over-the-counter products, herbal supplements, and recreational drugs, during your online consultation. This allows the prescriber to check for any potential interactions and recommend the safest and most effective treatment for you.

How Vardenafil Is Broken Down in the Body

Vardenafil is mainly broken down by an enzyme in the liver called CYP3A4. Medicines that strongly inhibit this enzyme can increase vardenafil levels in the blood, raising the risk of side effects such as headache, dizziness, and low blood pressure. Conversely, medicines that induce (speed up) CYP3A4 can lower vardenafil levels and make it less effective [5].

Maraviroc itself is not a strong inhibitor or inducer of CYP3A4, which is why it does not usually cause a clinically significant interaction with vardenafil. However, if you are taking other HIV medicines alongside maraviroc, those medicines may interact with vardenafil, so a full medication review is essential.

What Does Your Prescriber Check Before Approving Vardenafil?

Before prescribing vardenafil, your clinician will ask about your full medical history and current medications. They will check whether you have any conditions that make vardenafil unsuitable, such as recent heart attack or stroke, unstable angina, severe heart failure, very low blood pressure, or a history of sudden vision loss (non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, or NAION) [5].

The prescriber will also review all your current medicines to identify any potential interactions. This includes checking for nitrates (such as GTN spray or isosorbide mononitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, alpha-blockers (such as doxazosin or tamsulosin), and potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ritonavir, cobicistat, ketoconazole, or clarithromycin). If you are taking any of these medicines, the prescriber may adjust your vardenafil dose, recommend a different PDE5 inhibitor, or advise that vardenafil is not suitable for you [5].

If you are taking maraviroc alone or with other antiretrovirals that do not strongly inhibit CYP3A4, vardenafil is usually considered safe at the standard starting dose. However, if your HIV regimen includes a boosting agent like ritonavir or cobicistat, the prescriber will need to take this into account and may recommend a lower dose or an alternative treatment.

Declaring Your HIV Medicines During the Consultation

It's essential to list all your HIV medicines during the online consultation, including the exact names and doses. This allows the prescriber to check for interactions not just with maraviroc, but with any other antiretrovirals you are taking. If you're unsure of the names, check your prescription labels or ask your HIV clinic for a list of your current medicines.

Your HIV treatment is vital for your health, and you should never stop or change it without advice from your HIV specialist. The prescriber reviewing your ED treatment will work within the framework of your existing HIV therapy to find a safe and effective option for you.

Practical Advice for Taking Vardenafil and Maraviroc Together

If your prescriber approves vardenafil for you, take it as directed—usually about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity, and no more than once a day. Swallow the tablet whole with water, with or without food. Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol, as this can make erectile dysfunction worse and increase the risk of dizziness or low blood pressure [5].

Continue taking your maraviroc and other HIV medicines exactly as prescribed by your HIV specialist. Do not miss doses or stop treatment, as this can lead to viral resistance and treatment failure. If you experience any new or unusual symptoms after starting vardenafil, such as severe headache, dizziness, chest pain, or changes in vision or hearing, stop taking vardenafil and seek medical advice promptly.

Grapefruit juice can increase the levels of vardenafil in your blood and should be avoided. If you develop an erection lasting more than four hours (priapism), seek urgent medical help, as this can cause permanent damage to the penis. Similarly, if you experience sudden loss of vision or hearing, or chest pain during sexual activity, stop and seek immediate medical attention [5].

Other ED Treatment Options Available at Cured Pharmacy

If vardenafil is not suitable for you, or if you would like to explore other options, Cured Pharmacy offers a range of licensed ED treatments. These include sildenafil (generic Viagra), tadalafil (generic Cialis), avanafil (Spedra), and branded versions such as Viagra and Cialis. All are PDE5 inhibitors and work in a similar way to vardenafil, but they differ in how quickly they start working and how long their effects last [3][4][6].

Tadalafil, for example, can be taken on-demand (at least 30 minutes before sex, with effects lasting up to 36 hours) or as a daily low-dose tablet. Avanafil works faster than other PDE5 inhibitors, often within 15 to 30 minutes. Your prescriber will help you choose the most suitable option based on your medical history, current medicines, and personal preferences [2].

All prescription ED treatments at Cured Pharmacy are supplied following an online consultation reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber. The consultation is straightforward and confidential, and you can complete it at a time that suits you. If approved, your medicine is dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy and delivered discreetly to your door.

When to See Your GP About Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can be an early warning sign of underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. If you are experiencing ED for the first time, or if it is getting worse, it's a good idea to see your GP for a full assessment. They can check for any underlying causes and refer you to a specialist if needed [1][2].

Your GP can also review your HIV treatment and any other medicines you are taking to ensure there are no contributing factors. Treating the underlying cause—such as improving blood sugar control or managing blood pressure—can sometimes improve erectile function without the need for additional medication.

Scientific References

1. NHS. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction (impotence). NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 1 November 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 1 November 2026]
3. Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Sildenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/sildenafil/ [accessed 1 November 2026]
4. Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Tadalafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/tadalafil/ [accessed 1 November 2026]
5. Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Vardenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/vardenafil/ [accessed 1 November 2026]
6. Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Avanafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/avanafil/ [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.

Your Questions Answered