Vardenafil and Vedolizumab: Can They Be Taken Together?

Vardenafil and Vedolizumab: Understanding the Interaction

Published: 5 November 2026

Many men prescribed vedolizumab for inflammatory bowel disease wonder whether vardenafil and vedolizumab can be taken together safely. The good news is that no major interaction is commonly reported between vardenafil (a PDE5 inhibitor used for erectile dysfunction) and vedolizumab (a biologic therapy for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease). However, your prescriber will still review your complete medication list and health history during your consultation to ensure vardenafil is suitable for you.

What is vardenafil and how does it work?

Vardenafil is the generic name for Levitra, a prescription medicine licensed in the UK to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) [5]. 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 [1].

Vardenafil is available in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets. You take it about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity, and it works only when you are sexually stimulated [5]. The effect can last for several hours, but you should not take more than one dose in 24 hours.

Like all PDE5 inhibitors, vardenafil requires a prescription in the UK. At Cured Pharmacy, a UK-registered prescriber reviews your online consultation to confirm it is safe and suitable for you before dispensing.

What is vedolizumab and why is it prescribed?

Vedolizumab (brand name Entyvio) is a biologic medicine used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in adults [12]. It is a monoclonal antibody that works by blocking certain white blood cells from entering the lining of the gut, reducing inflammation.

Vedolizumab is given by intravenous infusion, usually in a hospital or specialist clinic. The initial doses are given at weeks 0, 2, and 6, then every 8 weeks thereafter. Because it targets gut-specific inflammation, vedolizumab does not suppress the whole immune system in the same way as some other biologic therapies.

Men with inflammatory bowel disease may experience erectile dysfunction due to the condition itself, fatigue, stress, or the impact of chronic illness on confidence and wellbeing [1]. Treating ED can be an important part of overall quality of life.

Does vedolizumab affect erectile function?

Vedolizumab itself is not known to cause erectile dysfunction directly. However, living with a chronic condition such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease can contribute to ED through fatigue, anxiety, low mood, or reduced self-esteem [1]. Some men also find that the stress of managing a long-term illness affects their sexual health. If you are experiencing ED, it is worth discussing with your GP or specialist, as effective treatments are available.

Do vardenafil and vedolizumab interact with each other?

No major interaction is commonly reported between vardenafil and vedolizumab. Vedolizumab works by targeting specific immune cells in the gut and does not significantly affect the liver enzymes (such as CYP3A4) that break down vardenafil [5][12]. This means vedolizumab is unlikely to change the levels of vardenafil in your body or increase the risk of side effects.

However, your prescriber will still review your full medication list during your consultation. This is because some other medicines you may be taking—such as certain antibiotics, antifungals, or HIV medicines—can interact with vardenafil by affecting how it is broken down in the body [5].

It is important to declare all your current medicines, including over-the-counter products and supplements, when you request a prescription for vardenafil. Your prescriber will check for any interactions and confirm the safest dose for you.

What does your prescriber check before approving vardenafil?

Before prescribing vardenafil, your clinician will review your medical history and current medicines to ensure it is safe for you [2][5]. 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 a history of sudden vision loss (NAION).

Your prescriber will also look for medicines that must never be taken with vardenafil. These include nitrates (such as GTN spray or isosorbide mononitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, and amyl or alkyl nitrites ('poppers'). Combining vardenafil with any of these can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure [5]. Do not take vardenafil if you use any of these medicines.

If you take medicines that can interact with vardenafil—such as potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (for example, ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, or clarithromycin)—your prescriber may need to avoid vardenafil or recommend a different PDE5 inhibitor [5]. Alpha-blockers (such as tamsulosin or doxazosin) can also interact, so you should be stable on the alpha-blocker and start on the lowest dose of vardenafil.

Declaring your vedolizumab treatment

When you complete your online consultation for vardenafil, make sure you list vedolizumab and any other medicines you are taking for inflammatory bowel disease. Although vedolizumab does not interact with vardenafil, your prescriber needs a complete picture of your health to ensure vardenafil is suitable and to check for any other potential interactions.

Practical advice for taking vardenafil and vedolizumab together

If your prescriber approves vardenafil, you can take it on the same day as your vedolizumab infusion or at any other time, as there is no known interaction between the two medicines. Take vardenafil about 25 to 60 minutes before you plan to have sex, and remember that it works only with sexual stimulation [5].

Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol when using vardenafil, as alcohol can make erectile dysfunction worse and add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect of the medicine, increasing the risk of dizziness [5]. Grapefruit juice can raise vardenafil levels in your blood, so it is best to avoid it.

If you experience side effects such as headache, flushing, indigestion, or a blocked nose, these are usually mild and short-lived [5]. However, seek urgent medical help if you have an erection lasting more than four hours, sudden loss of vision or hearing, or chest pain during sex. Do not take more than one dose of vardenafil in 24 hours, and never take it with another PDE5 inhibitor.

Other erectile dysfunction treatments available at Cured Pharmacy

If vardenafil is not suitable for you, or if you would like to try a different PDE5 inhibitor, Cured Pharmacy offers a range of licensed ED treatments. Sildenafil (generic Viagra) is taken about one hour before sex and is available from £0.45 per tablet (£0.36 with first-order code Ednew). Tadalafil (generic Cialis) can be taken on-demand or daily; on-demand tadalafil lasts up to 36 hours and starts from £7.95 (£6.36 with code Ednew).

Avanafil (Spedra) works in as little as 15 to 30 minutes and is priced at £20.95 (£16.76 with code Ednew). All PDE5 inhibitors require a prescription following an online consultation reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber [2][3][4][5][6].

Your prescriber will help you choose the most suitable treatment based on your health, other medicines, and personal preferences. All consultations are confidential, and medicines are delivered discreetly to your door.

When to see your GP

If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction for the first time, it is important to see your GP for a health check. ED can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, and your GP can arrange tests and address any underlying causes [1][2]. Treating ED with medicines like vardenafil can help, but it is also important to manage your overall health.

Scientific References

1. NHS. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction (impotence). NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 5 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 5 November 2026]
3. Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Sildenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/sildenafil/ [accessed 5 November 2026]
4. Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Tadalafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/tadalafil/ [accessed 5 November 2026]
5. Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Vardenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/vardenafil/ [accessed 5 November 2026]
6. Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Avanafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/avanafil/ [accessed 5 November 2026]
7. Electronic Medicines Compendium. (n.d.). Summaries of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflets. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/ [accessed 5 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.