Drug interactions
Grapefruit + Vardenafil
Severity: Moderate
Grapefruit and Vardenafil: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Grapefruit juice can raise vardenafil exposure by reducing its first-pass metabolism in the gut wall. Higher levels may increase headache, flushing, hypotension and other vardenafil adverse effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Grapefruit and Vardenafil can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4 by grapefruit furanocoumarins reduces vardenafil presystemic metabolism.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice around the time of vardenafil dosing. Monitor for hypotension and adverse effects if consumption continues.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Vardenafil
- Amyl nitrite + Vardenafil Contraindicated
- Glyceryl trinitrate pr + Vardenafil Contraindicated
- Isosorbide dinitrate + Vardenafil Contraindicated
- Isosorbide mononitrate + Vardenafil Contraindicated
- Nicorandil + Vardenafil Contraindicated
- Nitroglycerin po + Vardenafil Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Grapefruit with Vardenafil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Grapefruit and Vardenafil can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Grapefruit juice can raise vardenafil exposure by reducing its first-pass metabolism in the gut wall. Higher levels may increase headache, flushing, hypotension and other vardenafil adverse effects.
How serious is the interaction between Grapefruit and Vardenafil?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice around the time of vardenafil dosing. Monitor for hypotension and adverse effects if consumption continues.
What other medicines interact with Vardenafil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Vardenafil with, for example, Amyl nitrite, Glyceryl trinitrate pr, Isosorbide dinitrate. The full list is on the Vardenafil page.
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