Vardenafil and Metformin: Can You Take Them Together?

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Vardenafil and Metformin: What You Need to Know

Published: 1 November 2026

Many men taking metformin for type 2 diabetes wonder whether vardenafil and metformin can be taken together safely. The good news is that there is no direct pharmacological interaction between these two medicines, and they are commonly prescribed together. However, your prescriber will still need to review your overall health, particularly your cardiovascular status and blood glucose control, before prescribing vardenafil.

What Is Vardenafil?

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) [5]. Vardenafil works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, allowing increased blood flow when you are sexually aroused. It does not work without sexual stimulation.

Vardenafil is available in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets. The usual starting dose is 10mg, taken about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity [5]. You should not take vardenafil more than once in 24 hours. The medicine can help you get and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity, but it does not cure ED or increase sexual desire.

Like all PDE5 inhibitors, vardenafil is only available on prescription in the UK. At Cured Pharmacy, vardenafil is supplied after an online consultation reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber, who will check that it is safe and suitable for you based on your medical history and current medicines.

What Is Metformin?

Metformin is a prescription medicine used to manage type 2 diabetes. It is usually the first medicine offered to people with type 2 diabetes and works by reducing the amount of glucose (sugar) released by the liver and helping your body respond better to insulin. Metformin does not cause low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) when used on its own.

Metformin is taken as a tablet, usually once or twice daily with meals. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, and stomach upset, especially when you first start taking it. These often improve over time. Metformin is a cornerstone of diabetes treatment and is prescribed to millions of people in the UK.

Diabetes itself is a known risk factor for erectile dysfunction. High blood sugar levels over time can damage blood vessels and nerves, including those needed for erections [1]. Managing your diabetes well with medicines like metformin, alongside a healthy lifestyle, can help reduce the risk of ED and improve overall health.

Why Diabetes and ED Are Linked

Men with diabetes are about three times more likely to experience erectile dysfunction compared to men without diabetes [1]. This is because persistently high blood glucose can damage the small blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, including those that supply the penis. Good diabetes control, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking can all help reduce this risk and may improve erectile function.

Can You Take Vardenafil and Metformin Together?

Yes, vardenafil and metformin can generally be taken together. There is no known direct drug interaction between these two medicines. Metformin does not affect how vardenafil is broken down in the body, and vardenafil does not interfere with how metformin controls blood sugar levels. Many men with type 2 diabetes successfully use vardenafil or other PDE5 inhibitors to treat erectile dysfunction while continuing their metformin.

However, it is essential that your prescriber knows you are taking metformin when you request vardenafil. This is not because of a direct interaction, but because diabetes itself affects your cardiovascular health. Your prescriber will want to check your overall heart health, blood pressure, and whether you have any complications of diabetes (such as nerve damage or kidney problems) that might affect the safety or suitability of vardenafil [2].

During your online consultation at Cured Pharmacy, you will be asked to list all your current medicines, including metformin and any other diabetes treatments. The prescriber will also ask about your diabetes control, any heart or blood pressure problems, and other relevant health conditions. This ensures that vardenafil is prescribed safely and at the right dose for you.

What Your Prescriber Will Check

When you request vardenafil and you are taking metformin, the prescriber will review several important factors. They will ask about your diabetes control, including your most recent HbA1c (a measure of average blood sugar over the past few months) and whether you have any complications such as diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), retinopathy (eye damage), or kidney problems. These conditions do not automatically prevent you from using vardenafil, but they are relevant to your overall health assessment.

Your prescriber will also check your cardiovascular health. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Vardenafil can cause a small drop in blood pressure, so it is important to ensure your blood pressure is stable and that you do not have conditions such as unstable angina, recent heart attack or stroke, or severe heart failure, which would make sexual activity inadvisable [5].

You will be asked about all other medicines you take. Vardenafil must never be taken with nitrates (such as GTN spray or isosorbide mononitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational drugs called poppers, as this combination can cause a dangerous fall in blood pressure [5]. If you take alpha-blockers (such as tamsulosin for prostate symptoms), your prescriber will ensure you are stable on that medicine and may start you on a lower dose of vardenafil. If you take medicines that affect how vardenafil is broken down (such as certain antibiotics or antifungals), your dose may need to be adjusted or vardenafil may not be suitable.

Other Diabetes Medicines

If you take other diabetes medicines alongside metformin—such as gliclazide, insulin, empagliflozin, or others—these should also be declared during your consultation. There are no known direct interactions between vardenafil and most diabetes medicines, but your prescriber needs the full picture of your health and treatment to make a safe decision. Never stop or change your diabetes medicines without advice from your GP or diabetes specialist.

Practical Advice for Taking Vardenafil and Metformin

If you are prescribed vardenafil while taking metformin, you can take both medicines on the same day without concern about a direct interaction. Vardenafil is taken on demand, about 25 to 60 minutes before you plan to have sex, and only when needed (maximum once per day) [5]. Metformin is usually taken regularly with meals, so there is no need to adjust the timing of your metformin dose when you take vardenafil.

Food can slightly delay how quickly vardenafil works, so some men prefer to take it on an empty stomach or after a light meal. However, you should continue to take your metformin with food as prescribed, since this helps reduce stomach upset. Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol when using vardenafil, as alcohol can worsen erectile dysfunction and increase the risk of dizziness or low blood pressure.

Keep your diabetes well controlled. Good blood sugar management, regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and not smoking all support better erectile function and overall health [1]. If you notice that vardenafil is not working as well as expected, speak to your prescriber—sometimes adjusting the dose or trying a different PDE5 inhibitor can help. Do not take more vardenafil than prescribed or combine it with another ED medicine.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Seek urgent medical help (call 999 or go to A&E) if you experience an erection lasting more than four hours (priapism), sudden loss of vision or hearing, or chest pain during sexual activity while taking vardenafil [5]. These are rare but serious side effects that require immediate attention.

Contact your GP or diabetes team if your blood sugar control worsens, if you develop new symptoms such as numbness or tingling in your feet, or if you have concerns about your diabetes or heart health. Erectile dysfunction can sometimes be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease, so if ED is a new problem for you, it is important to see your GP for a full health check [1][2].

If you experience common side effects from vardenafil—such as headache, flushing, indigestion, or a blocked nose—these are usually mild and temporary. However, if side effects are troublesome or persistent, speak to your prescriber or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them or consider an alternative treatment. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and follow the advice given by your healthcare team.

Reporting Side Effects

If you experience any side effects from vardenafil or metformin, you can report them via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or by searching for 'Yellow Card' in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Reporting side effects helps improve the safety information available about medicines.

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.). Vardenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/vardenafil/ [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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