Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets (vardenafil hydrochloride) are administered orally for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This monohydrochloride salt of vardenafil is a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). Vardenafil HCl is designated chemically as piperazine, 1-[[3-(1,4-dihydro-5-methyl-4-oxo-7-propylimidazo[5,1- f ][1,2,4]triazin-2-yl)-4-ethoxyphenyl]sulfonyl]-4-ethyl-, monohydrochloride and has the following structural formula: Vardenafil HCl is a nearly colorless, solid substance with a molecular weight of 579.1 g/mol and a solubility of 0.11 mg/mL in water. Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets are formulated as orange, round, tablets embossed with "2.5", "5", "10" or "20" on one side corresponding to 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg of vardenafil, respectively. In addition to the active ingredient, vardenafil HCl, each tablet contains microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, aspartame, titanium dioxide, ferric oxide red, and ferric oxide yellow.

Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets are a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets are formulated as orange, round, tablets embossed with "2.5", "5", "10" or "20" on one side corresponding to 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg of vardenafil, respectively. Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg

Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets are taken as needed: For most patients, the starting dose is 10 mg, up to once daily. Increase to 20 mg or decrease to 5 mg based on efficacy/tolerability. A starting dose of 5 mg vardenafil hydrochloride tablets should be considered in patients ≥ 65 years of age. Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets are taken orally, approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is one tablet per day. Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets may be taken with or without food. If taking strong or moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4, the dose of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets should be adjusted as follows ( 2.4 , 5.2 , 7.2 ): Ritonavir: No more than 2.5 mg in a 72-hour period Cobicistat: No more than 2.5 mg in a 72-hour period Indinavir, saquinavir, atazanavir, ketoconazole 400 mg daily, itraconazole 400 mg daily, clarithromycin: No more than 2.5 mg in a 24-hour period Ketoconazole 200 mg daily, itraconazole 200 mg daily, erythromycin: No more than 5 mg in a 24-hour period. In patients on stable alpha-blocker therapy the recommended starting dose of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets is 5 mg The recommended starting dose of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets is 5 mg in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B). The maximum dose in patients with moderate hepatic impairment should not exceed 10 mg

General Dose Information For most patients, the recommended starting dose of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets is 10 mg, taken orally, as needed, approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity. The dose may be increased to a maximum recommended dose of 20 mg or decreased to 5 mg based on efficacy and side effects. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day. Sexual stimulation is required for a response to treatment

Use with Food Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets can be taken with or without food

Use in Specific Populations Geriatrics: A starting dose of 5 mg vardenafil hydrochloride tablets should be considered in patients ≥65 years of age . Hepatic Impairment: For patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B), a starting dose of 5 mg vardenafil hydrochloride tablets is recommended. The maximum dose in patients with moderate hepatic impairment should not exceed 10 mg. Do not use vardenafil hydrochloride tablets in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) [ see Warnings and Precautions , Use in Specific Populations and Clinical Pharmacology ] . Renal Impairment: Do not use vardenafil hydrochloride tablets in patients on renal dialysis

Concomitant Medications Nitrates: Concomitant use with nitrates and nitric oxide donors in any form is contraindicated Guanylate Cyclase (GC) Stimulators, such as riociguat : Concomitant use is contraindicated . CYP3A4 Inhibitors: The dosage of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets may require adjustment in patients receiving potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir, atazanavir, cobicistat, and clarithromycin as well as in other patients receiving moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors such as erythromycin . If taking strong or moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4, the dose of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets should be adjusted as follows: Ritonavir: No more than 2.5 mg in a 72-hour period. Indinavir, saquinavir, atazanavir, ketoconazole 400 mg daily, itraconazole 400 mg daily, clarithromycin: No more than 2.5 mg in a 24-hour period. Ketoconazole 200 mg daily, itraconazole 200 mg daily, erythromycin: No more than 5 mg in a 24-hour period. Cobicistat: No more than 2.5 mg in a 72 hour period. Alpha-Blockers: In those patients who are stable on alpha-blocker therapy, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors should be initiated at the lowest recommended starting dose. Concomitant treatment should be initiated only if the patient is stable on his alpha-blocker therapy. Stepwise increase in alpha-blocker dose may be associated with further lowering of blood pressure in patients taking a phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitor including vardenafil. In those patients who are stable on alpha-blocker therapy, vardenafil hydrochloride tablets should be initiated at a dose of 5 mg (2.5 mg when used concomitantly with certain CYP3A4 inhibitors). A time interval between dosing should be considered when vardenafil hydrochloride tablets are prescribed concomitantly with alpha-blocker therapy .

The evaluation of erectile dysfunction should include a medical assessment, a determination of potential underlying causes and the identification of appropriate treatment. Before prescribing vardenafil hydrochloride tablets, it is important to note the following: Cardiovascular Effects : Patients should not use vardenafil hydrochloride tablets if sex is inadvisable due to cardiovascular status. Risk of Priapism : In the event that an erection lasts more than 4 hours, the patient should seek immediate medical assistance. Effects on the Eye: Patients should stop use of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets, and seek medical attention in the event of sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, which could be a sign of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets should be used with caution, and only when the anticipated benefits outweigh the risks, in patients with a history of NAION. Patients with a "crowded" optic disc may also be at an increased risk of NAION. Sudden Hearing Loss : Patients should stop vardenafil hydrochloride tablets and seek medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss in hearing. Alpha-Blockers : Caution is advised when PDE5 inhibitors are co-administered with alpha-blockers. In some patients, concomitant use of these two drug classes can lower blood pressure significantly leading to symptomatic hypotension (for example, fainting). QT Prolongation : Patients with congenital QT syndrome or taking class IA or III antiarrhythmics should avoid using vardenafil hydrochloride tablets. ( 5.7 , 12.2 ) Phenylketonurics : Contains Phenylalanine 5.1 Cardiovascular Effects General Physicians should consider the cardiovascular status of their patients, since there is a degree of cardiac risk associated with sexual activity. Therefore, treatment for erectile dysfunction, including vardenafil hydrochloride tablets, should not be used in men for whom sexual activity is not recommended because of their underlying cardiovascular status. There are no controlled clinical data on the safety or efficacy of vardenafil in the following patients; and therefore its use is not recommended until further information is available: unstable angina; hypotension (resting systolic blood pressure of <90 mmHg); uncontrolled hypertension (>170/110 mmHg); recent history of stroke, life-threatening arrhythmia, or myocardial infarction (within the last 6 months); severe cardiac failure. Left Ventricular Outflow Obstruction Patients with left ventricular outflow obstruction, (for example, aortic stenosis and idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis) can be sensitive to the action of vasodilators including PDE5 inhibitors. Blood Pressure Effects Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets have systemic vasodilatory properties that resulted in transient decreases in supine blood pressure in healthy volunteers (mean maximum decrease of 7 mmHg systolic and 8 mmHg diastolic) . While this normally would be expected to be of little consequence in most patients, prior to prescribing vardenafil hydrochloride tablets, physicians should carefully consider whether their patients with underlying cardiovascular disease could be affected adversely by such vasodilatory effects

Potential for Drug Interactions with Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors Concomitant administration with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ritonavir, indinavir, cobicistat, ketoconazole) or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as erythromycin) increases plasma concentrations of vardenafil. Dosage adjustment is necessary when vardenafil hydrochloride tablets are administered with certain CYP3A4 inhibitors . Long-term safety information is not available on the concomitant administration of vardenafil with HIV protease inhibitors

Risk of Priapism There have been rare reports of prolonged erections greater than 4 hours and priapism (painful erections greater than 6 hours in duration) for this class of compounds, including vardenafil. In the event that an erection persists longer than 4 hours, the patient should seek immediate medical assistance. If priapism is not treated immediately, penile tissue damage and permanent loss of potency may result. Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets should be used with caution by patients with anatomical deformation of the penis (such as angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie's disease) or by patients who have conditions that may predispose them to priapism (such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia)

Effects on the Eye Physicians should advise patients to stop use of all phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, including vardenafil hydrochloride tablets, and seek medical attention in the event of sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. Such an event may be a sign of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare condition and a cause of decreased vision, including permanent loss of vision, that has been reported rarely postmarketing in temporal association with the use of all PDE5 inhibitors. Based on published literature, the annual incidence of NAION is 2.5–11.8 cases per 100,000 in males aged ≥50. An observational case-crossover study evaluated the risk of NAION when PDE5 inhibitor use, as a class, occurred immediately before NAION onset (within 5 half-lives), compared to PDE5 inhibitor use in a prior time period. The results suggest an approximate 2-fold increase in the risk of NAION, with a risk estimate of 2.15 (95% CI 1.06, 4.34). A similar study reported a consistent result, with a risk estimate of 2.27 (95% CI 0.99, 5.20). Other risk factors for NAION, such as the presence of “crowded” optic disc, may have contributed to the occurrence of NAION in these studies. Neither the rare postmarketing reports, nor the association of PDE5 inhibitor use and NAION in the observational studies, substantiate a causal relationship between PDE5 inhibitor use and NAION . Physicians should consider whether their patients with underlying NAION risk factors could be adversely affected by use of PDE5 inhibitors. Individuals who have already experienced NAION are at increased risk of NAION recurrence. Therefore, PDE5 inhibitors, including vardenafil hydrochloride tablets, should be used with caution in these patients and only when the anticipated benefits outweigh the risks. Individuals with "crowded" optic disc are also considered at greater risk for NAION compared to the general population, however, evidence is insufficient to support screening of prospective users of PDE5 inhibitors, including vardenafil hydrochloride tablets, for this uncommon condition. Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets have not been evaluated in patients with known hereditary degenerative retinal disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa, therefore its use is not recommended until further information is available in those patients

Sudden Hearing Loss Physicians should advise patients to stop taking all PDE5 inhibitors, including vardenafil hydrochloride tablets, and seek prompt medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing. These events, which may be accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness, have been reported in temporal association to the intake of PDE5 inhibitors, including vardenafil. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to the use of PDE5 inhibitors or to other factors

Alpha-Blockers Caution is advised when PDE5 inhibitors are co-administered with alpha-blockers. PDE5 inhibitors, including vardenafil hydrochloride tablets, and alpha-adrenergic blocking agents are both vasodilators with blood-pressure lowering effects. When vasodilators are used in combination, an additive effect on blood pressure may be anticipated. In some patients, concomitant use of these two drug classes can lower blood pressure significantly leading to symptomatic hypotension (for example, fainting) . Consideration should be given to the following: Patients should be stable on alpha-blocker therapy prior to initiating a PDE5 inhibitor. Patients who demonstrate hemodynamic instability on alpha-blocker therapy alone are at increased risk of symptomatic hypotension with concomitant use of PDE5 inhibitors. In those patients who are stable on alpha-blocker therapy, PDE5 inhibitors should be initiated at the lowest recommended starting dose . In those patients already taking an optimized dose of PDE5 inhibitor, alpha-blocker therapy should be initiated at the lowest dose. Stepwise increase in alpha-blocker dose may be associated with further lowering of blood pressure in patients taking a PDE5 inhibitor. Safety of combined use of PDE5 inhibitors and alpha-blockers may be affected by other variables, including intravascular volume depletion and other anti-hypertensive drugs

Congenital or Acquired QT Prolongation In a study of the effect of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets on QT interval in 59 healthy males , therapeutic (10 mg) and supratherapeutic (80 mg) doses of vardenafil and the active control moxifloxacin (400 mg) produced similar increases in QTc interval. A postmarketing study evaluating the effect of combining vardenafil hydrochloride tablets with another drug of comparable QT effect showed an additive QT effect when compared with either drug alone . These observations should be considered in clinical decisions when prescribing vardenafil hydrochloride tablets to patients with known history of QT prolongation or patients who are taking medications known to prolong the QT interval. Patients taking Class 1A (for example. quinidine, procainamide) or Class III (for example, amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic medications or those with congenital QT prolongation, should avoid using vardenafil hydrochloride tablets

Hepatic Impairment Dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B). Do not use vardenafil hydrochloride tablets in patients with severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment.

Renal Impairment Do not use vardenafil hydrochloride tablets in patients on renal dialysis, as vardenafil has not been evaluated in this population

Combination with Other Erectile Dysfunction Therapies The safety and efficacy of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets used in combination with other treatments for erectile dysfunction have not been studied. Therefore, the use of such combinations is not recommended

Effects on Bleeding In humans, vardenafil alone in doses up to 20 mg does not prolong the bleeding time. There is no clinical evidence of any additive prolongation of the bleeding time when vardenafil is administered with aspirin. Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets have not been administered to patients with bleeding disorders or significant active peptic ulceration. Therefore vardenafil hydrochloride tablets should be administered to these patients after careful benefit-risk assessment

Sexually Transmitted Disease The use of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Counseling of patients about protective measures necessary to guard against sexually transmitted diseases, including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), should be considered

Risks in Patients with Phenylketonuria Phenylalanine can be harmful to patients with phenylketonuria (PKU). Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets contain phenylalanine, a component of aspartame. Each 2.5 mg vardenafil hydrochloride tablet contains 0.7 mg phenylalanine; each 5 mg tablet contains 1.4 mg phenylalanine; each 10 mg tablet contains 2.8 mg phenylalanine; each 20 mg tablet contains 5.6 mg phenylalanine. Before prescribing vardenafil hydrochloride tablets in a patient with PKU, consider the combined daily amount of phenylalanine from all sources, including vardenafil hydrochloride tablets.

Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets can potentiate the hypotensive effects of nitrates, alpha- blockers, and antihypertensives

Potential for Pharmacodynamic Interactions with Vardenafil Hydrochloride Tablets Nitrates: Concomitant use of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets and nitrates and nitric oxide donors is contraindicated. The blood pressure lowering effects of sublingual nitrates (0.4 mg) taken 1 and 4 hours after vardenafil and increases in heart rate when taken at 1, 4 and 8 hours after vardenafil were potentiated by a 20 mg dose of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets in healthy middle-aged subjects. These effects were not observed when vardenafil hydrochloride tablets 20 mg were taken 24 hours before the nitroglycerin (NTG). Potentiation of the hypotensive effects of nitrates for patients with ischemic heart disease has not been evaluated, and concomitant use of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets and nitrates is contraindicated Antihypertensives: Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets may add to the blood pressure lowering effects of antihypertensive agents. In a clinical pharmacology study of patients with erectile dysfunction, single doses of vardenafil 20 mg caused a mean maximum decrease in supine blood pressure of 7 mmHg systolic and 8 mmHg diastolic (compared to placebo), accompanied by a mean maximum increase of heart rate of 4 beats per minute. The maximum decrease in blood pressure occurred between 1 and 4 hours after dosing. Following multiple dosing for 31 days, similar blood pressure responses were observed on Day 31 as on Day 1. Alcohol: Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets (20 mg) did not potentiate the hypotensive effects of alcohol during the 4-hour observation period in healthy volunteers when administered with alcohol (0.5 g/kg body weight, approximately 40 mL of absolute alcohol in a 70 kg person). Alcohol and vardenafil plasma levels were not altered when dosed simultaneously

Effect of Other Drugs on Vardenafil In vitro studies Studies in human liver microsomes showed that vardenafil is metabolized primarily by cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms 3A4/5, and to a lesser degree by CYP2C9. Therefore, inhibitors of these enzymes are expected to reduce vardenafil clearance . In vivo studies Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors Ketoconazole (200 mg once daily) produced a 10-fold increase in vardenafil AUC and a 4-fold increase in maximum concentration (C max ) when co-administered with vardenafil hydrochloride tablets (5 mg) in healthy volunteers. A 5-mg vardenafil hydrochloride tablet dose should not be exceeded in a 24-hour period when used in combination with 200 mg once daily ketoconazole. Since higher doses of ketoconazole (400 mg daily) may result in higher increases in C max and AUC, a single 2.5 mg dose of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets should not be exceeded in a 24-hour period when used in combination with ketoconazole 400 mg daily. Indinavir (800 mg t.i.d.) co-administered with vardenafil hydrochloride tablets 10 mg resulted in a 16-fold increase in vardenafil AUC, a 7-fold increase in vardenafil C max and a 2-fold increase in vardenafil half-life. It is recommended not to exceed a single 2.5 mg vardenafil hydrochloride tablets dose in a 24-hour period when used in combination with indinavir. Ritonavir (600 mg b.i.d.) co-administered with vardenafil hydrochloride tablets 5 mg resulted in a 49-fold increase in vardenafil AUC and a 13­ fold increase in vardenafil C max . The interaction is a consequence of blocking hepatic metabolism of vardenafil by ritonavir, a HIV protease inhibitor and a highly strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, which also inhibits CYP2C9. Ritonavir significantly prolonged the half-life of vardenafil to 26 hours. Consequently, it is recommended not to exceed a single 2.5 mg vardenafil hydrochloride tablets dose in a 72-hour period when used in combination with ritonavir. . Cobicistat with vardenafil hydrochloride tablets can result in increased plasma concentrations, therefore it is recommended that a single 2.5 mg dose of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets should not be exceeded in a 72-hour period. . Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors Erythromycin (500 mg t.i.d.) produced a 4-fold increase in vardenafil AUC and a 3-fold increase in C max when co­ administered with vardenafil hydrochloride tablets 5 mg in healthy volunteers. It is recommended not to exceed a single 5 mg dose of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets in a 24-hour period when used in combination with erythromycin. Although specific interactions have not been studied, other CYP3A4 inhibitors, including grapefruit juice would likely increase vardenafil exposure. Other Drug Interactions No pharmacokinetic interactions were observed between vardenafil and the following drugs: glyburide, warfarin, digoxin, an antacid based on magnesium-aluminum hydroxide, and ranitidine. In the warfarin study, vardenafil had no effect on the prothrombin time or other pharmacodynamic parameters. Cimetidine (400 mg b.i.d.) had no effect on vardenafil bioavailability (AUC) and maximum concentration (C max ) of vardenafil when co-administered with 20 mg vardenafil hydrochloride tablets in healthy volunteers

Effects of Vardenafil on Other Drugs In vitro studies Vardenafil and its metabolites had no effect on CYP1A2, 2A6, and 2E1 (Ki >100 micromolar). Weak inhibitory effects toward other isoforms (CYP2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 3A4) were found, but Ki values were in excess of plasma concentrations achieved following dosing. The most potent inhibitory activity was observed for vardenafil metabolite M1, which had a Ki of 1.4 micromolar toward CYP3A4, which is about 20 times higher than the M1 C max values after an 80 mg vardenafil dose. In vitro data suggest that vardenafil has the potential to inhibit P-glycoprotein (P-gp) at therapeutic doses. While concomitant use of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets did not significantly increase plasma concentrations of digoxin, a P-gp substrate, the effect on plasma concentrations of P-gp substrates that are more sensitive than digoxin (e.g. dabigatran) is not known. In vivo studies Nifedipine: Vardenafil 20 mg, when co-administered with slow-release nifedipine 30 mg or 60 mg once daily, did not affect the AUC or C max of nifedipine, a drug that is metabolized via CYP3A4. Nifedipine did not alter the plasma levels of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets when taken in combination. In these patients whose hypertension was controlled with nifedipine, vardenafil hydrochloride tablets 20 mg produced mean additional supine systolic/diastolic blood pressure reductions of 6/5 mmHg compared to placebo. Ritonavir and Indinavir: Upon concomitant administration of 5 mg of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets with 600 mg BID ritonavir, the C max and AUC of ritonavir were reduced by approximately 20%. Upon administration of 10 mg of vardenafil hydrochloride tablets with 800 mg TID indinavir, the C max and AUC of indinavir were reduced by 40% and 30%, respectively. Aspirin: Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets (10 mg and 20 mg) did not potentiate the increase in bleeding time caused by aspirin (two 81 mg tablets). Other interactions: Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets had no effect on the pharmacodynamics of glyburide (glucose and insulin concentrations) and warfarin (prothrombin time or other pharmacodynamic parameters).