Drug interactions
Nitroglycerin rectal + Vardenafil
Severity: Contraindicated
Nitroglycerin rectal and Vardenafil: contraindicated 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
Vardenafil potentiates the hypotensive effect of rectal nitroglycerin. The combination can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nitroglycerin rectal and Vardenafil are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Additive cGMP-mediated vasodilation from nitrate-derived nitric oxide and PDE5 inhibition.
What to do
Avoid combination; separate by at least 24 hours. Use non-nitrate therapy if treatment is needed soon after vardenafil.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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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 Nitroglycerin rectal with Vardenafil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Nitroglycerin rectal and Vardenafil are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Vardenafil potentiates the hypotensive effect of rectal nitroglycerin. The combination can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure.
How serious is the interaction between Nitroglycerin rectal and Vardenafil?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combination; separate by at least 24 hours. Use non-nitrate therapy if treatment is needed soon after vardenafil.
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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