Drug interactions
Sodium nitroprusside + Vardenafil
Severity: Major
Sodium nitroprusside and Vardenafil: major 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 is a PDE5 inhibitor that potentiates nitric oxide-cGMP signalling, and nitroprusside is a direct nitric oxide donor. Together they can produce marked, sometimes profound hypotension.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sodium nitroprusside and Vardenafil can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Sodium nitroprusside belongs to Cardiovascular; Vardenafil belongs to Genitourinary.
Why it happens
Additive vasodilation through nitric oxide release (nitroprusside) and inhibition of cGMP breakdown (vardenafil).
What to do
Avoid starting nitroprusside shortly after a PDE5 inhibitor dose where possible; if unavoidable, titrate nitroprusside cautiously with continuous arterial blood pressure monitoring.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Sodium nitroprusside
- Avanafil + Sodium nitroprusside Contraindicated
- Nitric oxide + Sodium nitroprusside Major
- Sildenafil + Sodium nitroprusside Major
- Sodium nitroprusside + Tadalafil Major
- Amlodipine + Sodium nitroprusside Moderate
- Benazepril + Sodium nitroprusside Moderate
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 Sodium nitroprusside with Vardenafil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Sodium nitroprusside and Vardenafil can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Vardenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that potentiates nitric oxide-cGMP signalling, and nitroprusside is a direct nitric oxide donor. Together they can produce marked, sometimes profound hypotension.
How serious is the interaction between Sodium nitroprusside and Vardenafil?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid starting nitroprusside shortly after a PDE5 inhibitor dose where possible; if unavoidable, titrate nitroprusside cautiously with continuous arterial blood pressure monitoring.
What other medicines interact with Sodium nitroprusside?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sodium nitroprusside with, for example, Avanafil, Nitric oxide, Sildenafil. The full list is on the Sodium nitroprusside page.
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