Vardenafil Dosage: How Much Should You Take?
Learn the correct vardenafil dose, timing, and how our UK pharmacist-led consultation can help.
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Vardenafil Dosage: A Complete UK Guide
Published: 15 October 2026
The standard vardenafil dosage for most men in the UK is 10mg, taken about 25–60 minutes before sexual activity, with a maximum of one dose per day [5]. Depending on how well it works and whether you experience side effects, your prescriber may adjust the dose to 5mg (if you need a lower strength) or 20mg (if 10mg is not effective enough) [5]. Vardenafil is the active ingredient in Levitra and is a prescription-only medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men.
Plan ahead for best results
Take vardenafil about 25–60 minutes before you plan to have sex, and avoid heavy meals or excessive alcohol beforehand. Vardenafil only works when you are sexually aroused, so allow time for intimacy without rushing.
What doses of vardenafil are available in the UK?
Vardenafil is licensed in the UK in three strengths: 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets [5]. The usual starting dose is 10mg, which is effective for many men and balances efficacy with tolerability. If 10mg works well but causes mild side effects such as headache or flushing, your prescriber may reduce the dose to 5mg. Conversely, if 10mg does not produce a sufficient response, the dose may be increased to the maximum of 20mg [5].
At Cured Pharmacy, vardenafil (generic Levitra) is available on prescription after an online consultation reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber. The consultation ensures the dose is safe and suitable for your individual health profile, including any other medicines you take. Vardenafil belongs to a class of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors, which also includes sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis), but each has different dosing and timing characteristics.
How should I take vardenafil dosage for best results?
Take your vardenafil tablet about 25 to 60 minutes before you plan to have sex [5]. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water; you can take it with or without food, though a very heavy or high-fat meal may delay how quickly it works. Vardenafil will only help you get an erection when you are sexually aroused—it does not work automatically and is not an aphrodisiac.
Do not take more than one dose in any 24-hour period, even if the first dose did not seem to work [5]. Taking extra tablets will not improve the effect and increases the risk of side effects. If vardenafil does not work after several attempts at the correct dose and timing, speak to your prescriber. They may suggest trying a different PDE5 inhibitor, adjusting the dose, or investigating other causes of ED [2].
Timing your vardenafil dose
The window of 25–60 minutes is a guide; some men find vardenafil works a little faster, while for others it may take the full hour [5]. Plan ahead so you are not rushed, as anxiety can interfere with the medicine's effectiveness. The effects of vardenafil typically last for around four to five hours, meaning you have a window during which it is easier to achieve an erection with sexual stimulation, but this does not mean you will have an erection for that entire time.
When to get urgent help
- An erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism) – go to A&E immediately
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes – stop vardenafil and seek urgent medical help
- Chest pain during or after sex – do not use nitrate sprays; call 999
- Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing or dizziness – stop and see a doctor urgently
- Severe allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, throat, difficulty breathing) – call 999
Call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency, or contact NHS 111 for urgent advice.
Can I adjust my vardenafil dosage myself?
No, you should never change your vardenafil dosage without consulting your prescriber [5]. Dose adjustments must be made by a healthcare professional who can review your response to treatment, any side effects, and your overall health. Self-adjusting the dose—either increasing it to try to get a stronger effect or reducing it because of side effects—can be unsafe and may mean you do not get the benefit you need.
If you feel your current dose is not working well enough, or if you are experiencing troublesome side effects such as headache, flushing, nasal congestion, or dizziness, contact your prescriber. They can assess whether a different dose of vardenafil is appropriate, or whether switching to a different ED treatment might be better for you. At Cured Pharmacy, follow-up consultations are straightforward, and our team can help adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Vardenafil dosage and other medicines
Your vardenafil dosage may need to be lower, or vardenafil may not be suitable at all, if you take certain other medicines [5]. Never take vardenafil if you use nitrates (such as GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational drugs called 'poppers' (amyl or alkyl nitrites), because the combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Do not take vardenafil alongside another PDE5 inhibitor (sildenafil, tadalafil, or avanafil).
Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors—including some HIV medicines (ritonavir, cobicistat), antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), and antibiotics (clarithromycin)—can significantly raise vardenafil levels in your blood. In many cases, vardenafil is contraindicated or not recommended when these medicines are used [5]. If you take an alpha-blocker for an enlarged prostate or high blood pressure (such as doxazosin or tamsulosin), you should be stable on that medicine before starting vardenafil, and your prescriber will usually start you on the lowest dose to minimise the risk of dizziness or fainting [5]. Always declare every medicine, supplement, and recreational substance you use during your consultation.
Grapefruit and alcohol
Grapefruit juice can increase the levels of vardenafil in your bloodstream, which may raise the risk of side effects, so it is best avoided while using this medicine [5]. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can make it harder to get an erection and can add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect of vardenafil, increasing the chance of dizziness. Moderate alcohol intake is usually fine, but heavy drinking is best avoided when planning to use ED treatment.
At a glance
Who should not take the standard vardenafil dosage?
Vardenafil is not suitable for everyone. It should not be used by men for whom sexual activity is inadvisable, such as those with severe heart failure, unstable angina, a recent heart attack or stroke, very low blood pressure, or certain inherited eye conditions [5]. Men who have previously experienced non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)—a form of sudden vision loss—should not use vardenafil or other PDE5 inhibitors.
Vardenafil is also not recommended if you have severe liver disease or end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis, as the medicine may not be cleared from your body properly [5]. The online consultation at Cured Pharmacy includes questions about your medical history and current health to ensure vardenafil is safe for you. If vardenafil is not suitable, the prescriber may suggest an alternative ED treatment or advise you to see your GP for further assessment [2].
What if vardenafil dosage does not work for me?
If you have tried vardenafil at the correct dose on several occasions (at least four to eight attempts are often recommended) and it has not been effective, do not simply increase the dose yourself [2]. Speak to your prescriber, who can review your treatment. Sometimes, adjusting the timing, ensuring you are sexually stimulated, or addressing lifestyle factors such as stress, anxiety, or heavy alcohol use can make a difference.
If vardenafil still does not work, your prescriber may suggest switching to a different PDE5 inhibitor—such as sildenafil or tadalafil—as individual responses can vary, or they may explore other treatment options including alprostadil (Vitaros cream or Caverject injection) or referring you to a specialist [2][7]. It is also important to see your GP if you have not already done so, because ED can be an early warning sign of underlying health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease [1][2]. Treating these conditions can sometimes improve erectile function on its own.
Trying a different PDE5 inhibitor
Not all PDE5 inhibitors work the same way for every man. Sildenafil and vardenafil have similar onset times, while tadalafil works within 30 minutes but lasts much longer (up to 36 hours), and avanafil can work in as little as 15–30 minutes [3][4][6]. Your prescriber can help you find the treatment that best fits your lifestyle and preferences. At Cured Pharmacy, switching between treatments is straightforward through a follow-up consultation.
In summary
- The usual starting dose of vardenafil is 10mg, taken 25–60 minutes before sex
- Doses can be adjusted to 5mg or 20mg by your prescriber based on response
- Never take more than one vardenafil tablet in 24 hours
- Vardenafil is not suitable with nitrates, riociguat, or other PDE5 inhibitors
- A UK prescriber reviews every consultation to ensure the dose is safe for you
Scientific References
- NHS. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction (impotence). NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 15 October 2026]
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 15 October 2026]
- Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Sildenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/sildenafil/ [accessed 15 October 2026]
- Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Tadalafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/tadalafil/ [accessed 15 October 2026]
- Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Vardenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/vardenafil/ [accessed 15 October 2026]
- Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Avanafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/avanafil/ [accessed 15 October 2026]
- Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Alprostadil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/alprostadil/ [accessed 15 October 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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Medically reviewed by
Tarun Kumar, Superintendent Pharmacist (GPhC 2233073)