Vardenafil and Naftidrofuryl: Can They Be Taken Together?

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Key takeaways

• No major interaction is commonly reported between vardenafil and naftidrofuryl, but both can affect blood pressure.
• Your prescriber will assess your cardiovascular health and medicines before approving vardenafil.
• Watch for dizziness or light-headedness; sit or lie down if symptoms occur.
• Declare all your medicines during consultation, including naftidrofuryl and any blood pressure treatments.
• Seek urgent help if you experience chest pain, severe dizziness, or an erection lasting over four hours.

What Is Vardenafil and How Does It Work?

Vardenafil is a prescription medicine licensed in the UK to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). 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 [5]. Vardenafil does not cause an erection on its own—sexual stimulation is still needed.

The usual starting dose is 10 mg, taken about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. Depending on how well it works and any side effects, your prescriber may adjust the dose to 5 mg or increase it to a maximum of 20 mg [5]. You should not take vardenafil more than once in 24 hours. Common side effects include headache, flushing, nasal congestion, and indigestion.

At Cured Pharmacy, vardenafil is available after an online consultation with a UK-registered prescriber, who will review your medical history and current medicines to ensure it is safe and suitable for you.

What Is Naftidrofuryl and Why Is It Prescribed?

Naftidrofuryl is a peripheral vasodilator used to improve blood flow in people with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition where narrowed arteries reduce circulation to the legs. Symptoms of PAD include pain or cramping in the legs when walking (intermittent claudication), which improves with rest. Naftidrofuryl helps by improving oxygen delivery to the muscles and may reduce pain during exercise.

The usual dose is 100 mg or 200 mg taken three times a day with food. Naftidrofuryl is generally well tolerated, though some people experience mild stomach upset, nausea, or skin rash. It does not directly affect erectile function, but poor circulation and the underlying cardiovascular disease that causes PAD can both contribute to erectile dysfunction [1][2].

If you have been prescribed naftidrofuryl, it is important to continue taking it as directed and to inform your prescriber about all your medicines, including any treatments for ED, so they can check for interactions and adjust doses if necessary.

How Naftidrofuryl Affects Circulation

Naftidrofuryl works by improving the way cells use oxygen and by mildly widening blood vessels. This can help reduce symptoms of poor circulation, though it does not cure the underlying arterial disease. Because it has a mild effect on blood vessels, there is a theoretical possibility that combining it with other medicines that lower blood pressure—such as PDE5 inhibitors—could add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect.

At a glance

The Interaction Between Vardenafil and Naftidrofuryl

No major or clinically significant interaction between vardenafil and naftidrofuryl is commonly reported in standard drug interaction databases or the British National Formulary [5]. However, both medicines can influence blood pressure: vardenafil lowers blood pressure slightly as part of its mechanism, and naftidrofuryl may have a mild vasodilating effect.

When two medicines that can lower blood pressure are taken together, there is a theoretical risk of additive effects, which could lead to dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting, especially when standing up quickly. In practice, this combination is not contraindicated, and many men with peripheral arterial disease may safely use a PDE5 inhibitor under medical supervision.

Your prescriber will assess your overall cardiovascular health, blood pressure, and other medicines during the consultation. If you are taking naftidrofuryl, it is essential to declare it on your medical questionnaire so the prescriber can decide whether vardenafil is appropriate for you and, if so, which dose to start with. Do not stop or change your prescribed naftidrofuryl without speaking to your GP or specialist.

What Your Prescriber Checks Before Approving Vardenafil and Naftidrofuryl

During your online consultation at Cured Pharmacy, the UK-registered prescriber will review your full medical history and current medicines. For someone taking naftidrofuryl, the prescriber will pay particular attention to your cardiovascular health, as peripheral arterial disease is often associated with other conditions such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes [2].

The prescriber will check your blood pressure, any history of heart attack, stroke, or angina, and whether you are taking other medicines that affect blood pressure (such as antihypertensives or alpha-blockers). They will also confirm that you are not taking any medicines that are contraindicated with vardenafil, such as nitrates, nicorandil, riociguat, or another PDE5 inhibitor [5].

If the prescriber approves vardenafil, they may recommend starting on the lowest effective dose (5 mg or 10 mg) to minimise the risk of side effects. They will also advise you on warning signs to watch for and when to seek urgent medical help. This individualised assessment ensures that the combination of vardenafil and naftidrofuryl is as safe as possible for you.

Declaring All Your Medicines

It is vital to list every medicine you take—prescription, over-the-counter, herbal remedies, and supplements—on your consultation form. Even medicines that seem unrelated to ED can interact with PDE5 inhibitors. If you are unsure about a medicine's name or dose, check the label or ask your GP or pharmacist before completing the consultation.

Practical Advice for Taking Vardenafil with Naftidrofuryl

If your prescriber approves vardenafil while you are taking naftidrofuryl, follow their dosing instructions carefully. Take vardenafil about 25 to 60 minutes before planned sexual activity, and do not exceed one dose in 24 hours [5]. Continue taking your naftidrofuryl exactly as prescribed by your GP or specialist—do not skip doses or stop it without medical advice.

Be aware of how you feel when you first start vardenafil. If you experience dizziness, light-headedness, or feel faint (especially when standing up), sit or lie down until the symptoms pass. Avoid heavy alcohol, as it can worsen these effects and make erectile dysfunction worse. Stay well hydrated and avoid sudden changes in posture.

If you develop any new symptoms—such as chest pain, severe dizziness, fainting, or an erection lasting more than four hours—seek urgent medical help. Contact your GP or the prescriber at Cured Pharmacy if you have any concerns or if your symptoms of peripheral arterial disease change, as this may affect your suitability for ED treatment.

Other Medicines and Lifestyle Factors to Consider

In addition to naftidrofuryl, many men with peripheral arterial disease take other cardiovascular medicines, such as antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel), statins, ACE inhibitors, or beta-blockers. These medicines do not usually prevent the use of vardenafil, but the prescriber must review the full list to check for interactions and ensure your blood pressure is stable [2][5].

Alpha-blockers (such as tamsulosin or doxazosin, used for prostate symptoms) can interact with PDE5 inhibitors and increase the risk of low blood pressure. If you take an alpha-blocker, your prescriber will usually start you on the lowest dose of vardenafil and ensure you are stable on the alpha-blocker first [5]. Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, or clarithromycin) can raise vardenafil levels and may mean vardenafil is not suitable; your prescriber will check the latest guidance.

Lifestyle changes can also improve both erectile function and circulation: stopping smoking, losing weight if needed, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and managing diabetes and high blood pressure all help [1][2]. If you have not seen your GP recently about your ED, it is worth booking an appointment, as ED can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease.

When Vardenafil Is Not Suitable

Vardenafil is contraindicated if you take nitrates (GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or use amyl/alkyl nitrites (poppers), as the combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure [5]. It is also not suitable if you have had a recent heart attack or stroke, unstable angina, severe heart failure, very low blood pressure, or previous sudden vision loss (NAION). Your prescriber will assess all these factors during consultation.

When to get urgent help

• Chest pain or discomfort during or after sexual activity—call 999 and tell paramedics you have taken vardenafil
• An erection lasting more than four hours (priapism)—go to A&E immediately to prevent permanent damage
• Sudden loss of vision or hearing—stop vardenafil and seek urgent medical attention
• Severe dizziness, fainting, or feeling very unwell—call 111 or see a GP the same day
• Allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing)—call 999

Call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency, or contact NHS 111 for urgent advice.

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