Vardenafil and Rizatriptan: Can You Take Them Together?

Takes less than 2 minutes to complete 100% online

At a glance

What Is Vardenafil and How Does It Work?

Vardenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor licensed in the UK for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). It works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, allowing increased blood flow when you are sexually aroused [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 [5].

Like all PDE5 inhibitors, vardenafil requires sexual stimulation to work—it does not cause an automatic erection. At Cured Pharmacy, vardenafil is available on prescription after an online consultation reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber. The prescriber will check your medical history, current medicines, and cardiovascular health to ensure vardenafil is suitable and safe for you [2][5].

What Is Rizatriptan and How Does It Work?

Rizatriptan belongs to a group of medicines called triptans, which are used to treat migraine headaches. It works by narrowing blood vessels around the brain and blocking pain pathways, helping to relieve the headache, nausea and sensitivity to light or sound that often accompany a migraine [12]. Rizatriptan is usually taken as a 10mg tablet (or 5mg if you take certain other medicines) at the start of a migraine attack.

Triptans like rizatriptan act on serotonin receptors in the brain and blood vessels. They are not painkillers in the usual sense—they target the specific mechanisms that cause migraine symptoms. Rizatriptan is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, and your GP or prescriber will confirm it is appropriate for your type of headache and overall health [12].

How Triptans Affect Blood Vessels

Triptans cause blood vessels in the brain to narrow (vasoconstriction), which is why they are effective for migraine. However, this narrowing effect can also occur in other blood vessels, including those supplying the heart. For this reason, triptans are not suitable for people with certain heart conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or a history of heart attack or stroke [12].

Do Vardenafil and Rizatriptan Interact?

There is no major direct drug interaction commonly reported between vardenafil and rizatriptan in standard references [5][12]. They work through different mechanisms—vardenafil relaxes blood vessels in the penis via PDE5 inhibition, while rizatriptan narrows blood vessels in the brain via serotonin receptors. However, both medicines can affect blood pressure and cardiovascular function, so caution is needed.

Vardenafil can lower blood pressure slightly, and rizatriptan can cause temporary narrowing of blood vessels, including coronary arteries in some people. If you have underlying heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular risk factors, the combination may require extra care. Your prescriber will assess your full medical history, including any heart conditions, blood pressure readings, and other medicines you take, to decide whether it is safe for you to use both [2][5][12].

It is important to declare all your current medicines—including over-the-counter and prescription treatments—during your consultation. Do not stop or change any prescribed medicine, including rizatriptan, without speaking to your GP or prescriber first.

What you need to know

• No major direct interaction is commonly reported between vardenafil and rizatriptan.
• Both medicines can affect blood pressure and blood vessels, so prescriber review is essential.
• Declare all current medicines during your consultation, including migraine treatments.
• Seek urgent help for chest pain, erection lasting over 4 hours, or sudden vision or hearing loss.
• Take each medicine exactly as prescribed and monitor for dizziness or unusual symptoms.

What Your Prescriber Checks Before Approving Vardenafil and Rizatriptan

When you request vardenafil through Cured Pharmacy's online consultation, the UK-registered prescriber will review your medical history in detail. They will check for conditions that make PDE5 inhibitors unsuitable, such as recent heart attack or stroke, unstable angina, severe heart failure, very low blood pressure, or previous sudden vision loss (NAION) [2][5]. If you take rizatriptan for migraine, the prescriber will ask about your cardiovascular health, blood pressure, and any history of heart disease.

The prescriber will also check for medicines that must never be taken with vardenafil, including nitrates (GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, and recreational drugs called poppers (amyl or alkyl nitrites). Combining vardenafil with any of these can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure [5]. If you take potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole or clarithromycin), vardenafil may be contraindicated or require dose adjustment [5][12].

The prescriber will consider whether sexual activity itself is advisable for you, taking into account your overall fitness and cardiovascular risk. If both vardenafil and rizatriptan are deemed appropriate, you will receive clear instructions on how to use each medicine safely.

Starting on the Lowest Effective Dose

If you are approved for vardenafil while taking rizatriptan, your prescriber may start you on a lower dose (such as 5mg or 10mg) to minimise the risk of side effects, especially if you have any cardiovascular concerns or take other medicines that affect blood pressure [5]. You can discuss dose adjustments at follow-up if needed.

Practical Advice for Taking Vardenafil and Rizatriptan Safely

If your prescriber approves both medicines, take each one exactly as directed. Vardenafil should be taken about 25 to 60 minutes before planned sexual activity, and no more than once in 24 hours [5]. Rizatriptan is taken at the start of a migraine attack, and you should follow the dosing instructions on your prescription—usually one tablet, with a second dose after at least two hours if the migraine returns (but no more than two tablets in 24 hours) [12].

Avoid heavy alcohol when using vardenafil, as it can worsen erectile dysfunction and add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect, increasing the risk of dizziness or fainting [5]. Grapefruit juice can raise vardenafil levels in your blood, so it is best avoided. If you experience dizziness, light-headedness or a rapid heartbeat after taking either medicine, sit or lie down and avoid driving or operating machinery until you feel better.

Do not take vardenafil if you develop chest pain during sexual activity—stop and seek medical help. If you have a migraine and need rizatriptan on the same day you plan to take vardenafil, there is no specific time interval required between the two, but monitor yourself for any unusual symptoms such as chest tightness, severe dizziness or palpitations, and contact your GP or NHS 111 if concerned.

When to get urgent help

• Chest pain, tightness or discomfort during or after sex—call 999 immediately.
• Erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism)—go to A&E without delay.
• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes—seek urgent medical assessment.
• Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, possibly with ringing in the ears or dizziness.
• Severe dizziness, fainting, or very fast or irregular heartbeat after taking either medicine.

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

Warning Signs and When to Seek Urgent Help with Vardenafil and Rizatriptan

Most men tolerate vardenafil and rizatriptan well when used as prescribed, but you should be aware of warning signs that need urgent medical attention. If you experience chest pain, tightness or discomfort during or after sex, stop sexual activity immediately and call 999 or go to A&E—do not assume it is just indigestion [1][5]. Chest pain can be a sign of a heart problem, and it is especially important to seek help if you have taken vardenafil.

An erection lasting more than four hours (priapism) is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent damage to the penis. Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, or sudden decrease or loss of hearing (sometimes with ringing in the ears or dizziness), are rare but serious side effects of PDE5 inhibitors and require urgent medical assessment [5]. If you experience severe dizziness, fainting, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat after taking either medicine, seek medical advice promptly.

If you have new or worsening migraine symptoms, or if rizatriptan is not controlling your migraines as usual, contact your GP for review. Never exceed the recommended dose of either medicine, and always inform any healthcare professional treating you (including in A&E) that you have taken vardenafil or rizatriptan.

Reporting Side Effects

If you experience any side effects from vardenafil or rizatriptan, you can report them via the Yellow Card Scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or by speaking to your pharmacist or GP. Reporting helps improve the safety information available for all patients [12].

Choose your treatment

Select from our recommended UK-licensed medications.

Answer quick questions

Select safe UK treatments. Quick answers.

Get it delivered fast

We will deliver direct to you as quickly as tomorrow.