Vardenafil and Rasagiline: Can They Be Taken Together?

Vardenafil and Rasagiline: Understanding the Interaction

Published: 3 November 2026

If you're taking rasagiline for Parkinson's disease and considering vardenafil for erectile dysfunction, you may wonder whether vardenafil and rasagiline can be used together safely. The good news is that no major direct interaction is commonly reported between these two medicines, but your prescriber will still need to review your full medical history and current medications during a consultation. This page explains what each medicine does, how they may interact, and what checks are needed before treatment.

What is vardenafil and how does it work?

Vardenafil (also known by the brand name Levitra) is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction in adult men [5]. 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 [5].

Vardenafil is usually taken about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity, and its effect can last for several hours [5]. It comes in different strengths (5mg, 10mg, and 20mg), and your prescriber will recommend the dose that's right for you based on your health and other medicines. Importantly, vardenafil only works when you are sexually stimulated—it does not cause an erection on its own.

Like all PDE5 inhibitors, vardenafil can lower blood pressure slightly, which is why it must not be taken with certain medicines such as nitrates, nicorandil, riociguat, or poppers (amyl/alkyl nitrites), as the combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure [5]. Your prescriber will check for these and other potential interactions before prescribing.

What is rasagiline and why is it prescribed?

Rasagiline is a prescription medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease, a condition that affects movement and coordination. It belongs to a class of medicines called MAO-B inhibitors (monoamine oxidase type B inhibitors), which work by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain, helping to improve symptoms such as tremor, stiffness, and slowness of movement.

Rasagiline is usually taken once a day, either on its own in early Parkinson's disease or alongside another medicine called levodopa in more advanced stages. It is generally well tolerated, but like all medicines it can cause side effects and may interact with certain other drugs, particularly those that affect blood pressure or brain chemistry.

Because rasagiline can sometimes affect blood pressure (it may cause low blood pressure when standing up, especially at the start of treatment), your doctor will want to know about all your other medicines, including any treatments for erectile dysfunction. This helps ensure that the combination is safe and that any blood-pressure effects are carefully managed.

Can vardenafil and rasagiline be taken together?

There is no major direct interaction commonly reported between vardenafil and rasagiline, meaning they are not known to react with each other in a way that makes either medicine unsafe or ineffective. However, both medicines can affect blood pressure, so your prescriber will need to assess your individual situation carefully during the consultation.

Vardenafil can cause a small drop in blood pressure, and rasagiline may also lower blood pressure, particularly when you stand up (a condition called postural hypotension). If you take both medicines together, there is a theoretical risk that the blood-pressure-lowering effects could add up, potentially causing dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting, especially when you first start treatment or change doses.

For this reason, it is essential that you declare rasagiline (and all other medicines you take) during your online consultation. Your prescriber will review your full medication list, check your blood pressure history, and decide whether vardenafil is suitable for you, or whether a different dose or a different ED treatment might be safer. Never start, stop, or change any prescribed medicine without professional advice.

How the interaction works in plain English

Both vardenafil and rasagiline can relax blood vessels or affect how your body regulates blood pressure. Vardenafil does this mainly in the penis (to help blood flow for an erection), but it can also have a mild effect on blood pressure throughout the body. Rasagiline works in the brain to improve Parkinson's symptoms, but it can sometimes make blood pressure drop when you stand up, especially early in treatment. If both effects happen at the same time, you might feel dizzy or unsteady. Your prescriber will check whether this is likely to be a problem for you, and may recommend starting on a lower dose of vardenafil or monitoring your blood pressure more closely.

What your prescriber will check before prescribing vardenafil and rasagiline

During your online consultation at Cured Pharmacy, you will be asked detailed questions about your current health, medical history, and all the medicines you take (including over-the-counter products, herbal remedies, and supplements). This information is reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber to ensure that vardenafil is safe and appropriate for you.

Specifically, your prescriber will check your blood pressure history, whether you have any heart or circulation problems, and whether you take any medicines that could interact with vardenafil. Because you take rasagiline, they will pay particular attention to your blood pressure and any symptoms of dizziness or fainting. They will also check that you are not taking any medicines that must never be combined with vardenafil, such as nitrates, nicorandil, riociguat, or another PDE5 inhibitor [5].

If vardenafil is suitable, your prescriber may recommend starting on the lowest dose (5mg or 10mg) to minimise the risk of side effects, and they may advise you to monitor for dizziness or light-headedness, especially when standing up. If you experience any concerning symptoms, you should contact your GP or pharmacist for advice. Your prescriber may also suggest alternative ED treatments if vardenafil is not the best choice for you.

Other medicines to declare during your consultation

As well as rasagiline, make sure you tell your prescriber about any other medicines you take. This includes medicines for high blood pressure (such as amlodipine, ramipril, or bisoprolol), alpha-blockers for prostate problems (such as tamsulosin or doxazosin), and any antibiotics or antifungals (such as clarithromycin or ketoconazole), as these can interact with vardenafil [5]. Also declare any recreational drugs, including poppers (amyl or alkyl nitrites), which must never be used with vardenafil as the combination can be life-threatening. Being completely honest about everything you take helps your prescriber keep you safe.

Warning signs and when to seek help with vardenafil and rasagiline

Most men who take vardenafil and rasagiline together do not experience serious problems, but it is important to know the warning signs that need urgent attention. If you develop an erection that lasts longer than four hours (priapism), you should go to A&E immediately, as this can cause permanent damage if not treated quickly [5]. Similarly, if you experience sudden loss of vision or hearing, stop taking vardenafil and seek medical help straight away [5].

Because both medicines can affect blood pressure, watch out for symptoms such as severe dizziness, fainting, or feeling very light-headed, especially when you stand up. If these symptoms are severe or do not settle quickly, contact your GP or call NHS 111 for advice. If you develop chest pain during or after sexual activity, stop what you are doing, sit down, and seek urgent medical help—do not take any nitrate medicine (such as GTN spray) if you have used vardenafil in the past 24 hours, as this combination is dangerous [5].

Common, less serious side effects of vardenafil include headache, flushing, indigestion, and a stuffy or runny nose [5]. These usually settle on their own and do not need treatment. If you have any concerns about side effects or how vardenafil is working for you, speak to your pharmacist or GP. Never take more than the prescribed dose, and do not take vardenafil more than once in 24 hours.

Practical advice for taking vardenafil and rasagiline safely

If your prescriber approves vardenafil while you are taking rasagiline, follow their instructions carefully. Take vardenafil about 25 to 60 minutes before you plan to have sex, and remember that it only works when you are sexually aroused [5]. Swallow the tablet whole with water, and do not take it more than once a day. You can take vardenafil with or without food, but a heavy or high-fat meal may slow down how quickly it works.

Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol when using vardenafil, as alcohol can make erectile dysfunction worse and increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness and low blood pressure [5]. Grapefruit juice can also raise the level of vardenafil in your blood, so it is best to avoid it. If you feel dizzy or light-headed after taking vardenafil, sit or lie down until the feeling passes, and avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.

Continue taking rasagiline exactly as your doctor has prescribed, and do not stop or change the dose without advice. If you start any new medicines (including over-the-counter products or herbal remedies), check with your pharmacist or GP to make sure they are safe to use with vardenafil and rasagiline. If you have any questions or concerns, the team at Cured Pharmacy is here to help—you can contact us for advice at any time.

Alternative ED treatments if vardenafil is not suitable

If your prescriber decides that vardenafil is not the best choice for you while taking rasagiline, there are other effective ED treatments available. Sildenafil (generic Viagra) and tadalafil (generic Cialis) are also PDE5 inhibitors and work in a similar way to vardenafil, though they have different timings and durations of action [3][4]. Avanafil (Spedra) is another option that works quickly, often within 15 to 30 minutes [6]. Your prescriber will discuss which treatment is most suitable based on your health, preferences, and other medicines. All ED treatments at Cured Pharmacy are only supplied after a consultation reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber.

Scientific References

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