Vardenafil and Nitrofurantoin: Can You Take Them Together?
Learn about the interaction, safety checks, and what to tell your prescriber during your consultation.
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Vardenafil and Nitrofurantoin: Understanding the Interaction
Published: 2 November 2026
Many men wonder whether vardenafil and nitrofurantoin can be taken together safely. The good news is that no major interaction is commonly reported between vardenafil (a medicine for erectile dysfunction) and nitrofurantoin (an antibiotic used to treat urinary tract infections). However, every medicine you take—including antibiotics—must be declared during your consultation, so your prescriber can check your full medical history and current treatments to ensure vardenafil is safe for you.
Key takeaways
- No major interaction is commonly reported between vardenafil and nitrofurantoin.
- Always declare every medicine, including antibiotics, during your online consultation.
- Never take vardenafil with nitrates, nicorandil, riociguat, or another PDE5 inhibitor.
- Your prescriber checks your full medication list to ensure vardenafil is safe for you.
- Vardenafil is available from £16.95 after a UK prescriber reviews your consultation.
What is vardenafil and nitrofurantoin used for?
Vardenafil is a prescription medicine licensed in the UK to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men [5]. It belongs to a group of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors, which work by relaxing blood vessels in the penis, allowing more blood to flow in when you are sexually aroused. Vardenafil is the generic version of Levitra and is available in 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets. You usually take it about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity, and it needs sexual stimulation to work [5].
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic commonly prescribed to treat and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as cystitis. It works by killing bacteria in the urine and bladder. Nitrofurantoin is usually taken as a short course (for example, three to seven days for an acute infection) or as a low-dose long-term treatment to prevent recurrent UTIs. It is not related to the medicines that interact dangerously with vardenafil, such as nitrates used for angina.
Is there an interaction between vardenafil and nitrofurantoin?
No major interaction is commonly reported between vardenafil and nitrofurantoin. The two medicines work in different ways and are processed differently by the body, so taking them together does not usually cause problems. Nitrofurantoin does not significantly affect the enzymes that break down vardenafil, and it does not lower your blood pressure in the way that would add to vardenafil's effects.
However, it is essential to tell your prescriber about every medicine you are taking—including antibiotics, over-the-counter treatments, and herbal supplements—during your online consultation. This allows the prescriber to review your full medication list and check for any less common interactions or individual factors that might affect your treatment. Never assume a medicine is safe to combine without professional advice, even if no major interaction is listed in standard references.
Why you must declare all medicines
Some medicines do interact seriously with vardenafil. For example, nitrates (such as GTN spray or isosorbide mononitrate for angina), nicorandil, riociguat, and recreational drugs called 'poppers' must never be taken with vardenafil, as the combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure [5]. Alpha-blockers (used for prostate problems or high blood pressure) and certain antifungal or antiviral medicines can also require dose adjustments or extra caution. Your prescriber needs the complete picture to prescribe safely.
What does your prescriber check during the consultation?
When you request vardenafil through Cured Pharmacy, a UK-registered prescriber reviews your online consultation before approving your order. The prescriber checks your current medicines (including nitrofurantoin or any other antibiotics), your medical history, and whether you have any conditions that make vardenafil unsuitable—such as recent heart attack or stroke, severe heart failure, very low blood pressure, or a history of sudden vision loss [5].
The prescriber also looks for medicines that interact with vardenafil. Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, or clarithromycin) can raise vardenafil levels in the blood, and vardenafil is contraindicated or requires dose adjustment with these medicines [5]. Alpha-blockers require you to be stable on that treatment and to start vardenafil at the lowest dose. The prescriber will advise the safest dose and timing for your individual circumstances.
If you are taking nitrofurantoin for a UTI, mention the dose, how long you have been taking it, and whether it is a short course or long-term prevention. This information helps the prescriber understand your overall health and ensure vardenafil is appropriate for you.
Practical advice for taking vardenafil and nitrofurantoin together
If your prescriber approves vardenafil while you are taking nitrofurantoin, follow the dosing instructions for each medicine carefully. Take vardenafil about 25 to 60 minutes before you plan to have sex, on an empty stomach or after a light meal (a heavy, fatty meal can delay how quickly it works) [5]. Nitrofurantoin is usually taken with food or milk to reduce stomach upset, so you can time your doses to suit your routine without one affecting the other.
Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol when using vardenafil, as alcohol can make erectile dysfunction worse and add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect, increasing the risk of dizziness or fainting. Grapefruit juice can raise the level of vardenafil in your blood and should be avoided. Do not take more than one dose of vardenafil in 24 hours, and never take it with another PDE5 inhibitor (such as sildenafil or tadalafil) or with any nitrate medicine.
If you experience side effects from either medicine—such as headache, flushing, indigestion, dizziness, or nausea—contact your GP or pharmacist for advice. Most side effects are mild, but if you have chest pain during sex, an erection lasting more than four hours, or sudden loss of vision or hearing, seek urgent medical help [5].
When to seek advice
If you develop new symptoms or your health changes while taking vardenafil and nitrofurantoin, speak to your GP or pharmacist. For example, if your UTI does not improve or you develop a fever, you may need a different antibiotic. If vardenafil does not work as expected, your prescriber can review your dose or suggest an alternative ED treatment. Do not stop or change any prescribed medicine without professional advice.
Declare all your medicines
Always list every medicine you take—including antibiotics like nitrofurantoin, over-the-counter treatments, and supplements—during your online consultation. This allows your prescriber to check for interactions and prescribe vardenafil safely.
Other medicines and vardenafil: what you need to know
While nitrofurantoin does not interact significantly with vardenafil, other medicines do require caution or are contraindicated. Never take vardenafil with nitrates (GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational nitrites ('poppers'), as this combination can cause a life-threatening fall in blood pressure [5]. If you use any of these medicines, vardenafil is not safe for you.
Alpha-blockers (such as tamsulosin, doxazosin, or alfuzosin) are often prescribed for an enlarged prostate or high blood pressure. These medicines can lower blood pressure, and combining them with vardenafil increases the risk of dizziness or fainting. If you take an alpha-blocker, you must be stable on that treatment, and your prescriber will start you on the lowest dose of vardenafil [5].
Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors—including some antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), certain antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin), and HIV medicines (ritonavir, cobicistat)—can raise vardenafil levels. Vardenafil is contraindicated with potent inhibitors, and your prescriber will check the summary of product characteristics if you take any of these [5]. CYP3A4 inducers (such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, or St John's wort) can make vardenafil less effective. Always declare every medicine, supplement, and herbal product during your consultation.
Choosing the right erectile dysfunction treatment at Cured Pharmacy
Cured Pharmacy is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy (GPhC 9012511) offering a range of licensed ED treatments after a clinical consultation reviewed by a UK prescriber. If vardenafil is suitable for you, it is available from £16.95 (or £13.56 for your first order with code Ednew). We also offer other PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil (generic Viagra) from £0.45, tadalafil (generic Cialis) from £7.95, and avanafil (Spedra) from £20.95, so you can choose the treatment that fits your lifestyle and budget.
Sildenafil works in about one hour and lasts for around four to six hours; tadalafil can be taken on-demand (working within 30 minutes and lasting up to 36 hours) or as a low daily dose; vardenafil works in 25 to 60 minutes; and avanafil is the fastest-acting, working in as little as 15 to 30 minutes [3][4][5][6]. All require sexual stimulation to work and are taken as needed, except for daily tadalafil.
Your prescriber will recommend the most suitable option based on your health, other medicines (including nitrofurantoin), and your preferences. If you have not seen a GP about your erectile dysfunction, we encourage you to do so, as ED can be an early sign of underlying conditions such as heart disease or diabetes [1][2]. Treating the cause—alongside using ED medication—can improve your overall health and quality of life.
How to order safely online
To request vardenafil or another ED treatment, complete the online consultation on the Cured Pharmacy website. Answer every question honestly and list all your current medicines, including nitrofurantoin, over-the-counter treatments, and supplements. A UK prescriber will review your answers and approve your order if the treatment is safe and appropriate for you. Your medicine is then dispensed by our pharmacy and delivered discreetly to your door. If you have any questions, our pharmacist-led team is here to help.
When to get urgent help
- Erection lasting more than four hours (priapism) – go to A&E immediately
- Sudden loss of vision or hearing – seek urgent medical help
- Chest pain during or after sex – call 999 or go to A&E
- Severe dizziness, fainting, or very low blood pressure – seek same-day medical advice
- Allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, or throat, difficulty breathing) – call 999
Call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency, or contact NHS 111 for urgent advice.
Scientific References
- NHS. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction (impotence). NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 2 November 2026]
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 2 November 2026]
- Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Sildenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/sildenafil/ [accessed 2 November 2026]
- Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Tadalafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/tadalafil/ [accessed 2 November 2026]
- Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Vardenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/vardenafil/ [accessed 2 November 2026]
- Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Avanafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/avanafil/ [accessed 2 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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Can I take vardenafil and nitrofurantoin at the same time?
Yes, no major interaction is commonly reported between vardenafil and nitrofurantoin, so they can usually be taken together. However, you must declare nitrofurantoin (and all other medicines) during your consultation so your prescriber can review your full medication list and ensure vardenafil is safe for you.
Will nitrofurantoin stop vardenafil from working?
No, nitrofurantoin does not affect how vardenafil works. Vardenafil is broken down by liver enzymes that nitrofurantoin does not significantly influence, so the antibiotic should not reduce the effectiveness of your ED treatment.
Do I need to tell my prescriber I'm taking nitrofurantoin?
Yes, always tell your prescriber about every medicine you take, including antibiotics like nitrofurantoin, over-the-counter treatments, and herbal supplements. This allows the prescriber to check for interactions and ensure vardenafil is safe and appropriate for you.
Are there any antibiotics that interact with vardenafil?
Some antibiotics, such as clarithromycin and erythromycin, are potent CYP3A4 inhibitors and can raise vardenafil levels, requiring dose adjustment or avoidance. Most common antibiotics, including nitrofurantoin, do not have this effect, but your prescriber will check each medicine individually during your consultation.
What medicines must I never take with vardenafil?
Never take vardenafil with nitrates (GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational nitrites ('poppers'), as this combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Do not take vardenafil with another PDE5 inhibitor (such as sildenafil or tadalafil) at the same time.
Can I drink alcohol while taking vardenafil and nitrofurantoin?
Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol when using vardenafil, as alcohol can worsen erectile dysfunction and add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect, increasing the risk of dizziness. Moderate alcohol is usually acceptable, but check with your prescriber if you are unsure.
How long does vardenafil take to work, and can I take it with food?
Vardenafil usually works within 25 to 60 minutes and needs sexual stimulation to be effective. It can be taken with or without food, but a heavy, fatty meal may delay how quickly it works, so a light meal or empty stomach is best.
What should I do if I get side effects from vardenafil or nitrofurantoin?
Common side effects of vardenafil include headache, flushing, indigestion, and dizziness; nitrofurantoin can cause nausea or stomach upset. If side effects are troublesome, contact your GP or pharmacist for advice. Seek urgent help if you have chest pain during sex, an erection lasting more than four hours, or sudden loss of vision or hearing.
Medically reviewed by
Tarun Kumar, Superintendent Pharmacist (GPhC 2233073)