Description
Zhewitra (Vardenafil) 20 mg oral jelly
Zhewitra 20 mg oral jelly is a vardenafil product. Vardenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor used for erectile dysfunction.
Active Ingredient and Medicine Class
The verified active ingredient is vardenafil. It belongs to the PDE5 inhibitor class, which also includes other medicines used for erectile dysfunction.
Established Medical Uses
Vardenafil is established for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Regulatory labeling for vardenafil products describes use in adult men with ED, rather than for other sexual or reproductive conditions.
How It Works
During sexual stimulation, nitric oxide helps increase cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in penile smooth muscle. Vardenafil inhibits PDE5, the enzyme that breaks down cGMP. This helps maintain cGMP levels and supports relaxation of smooth muscle and increased blood flow needed for an erection.
Important Safety Information
Vardenafil is contraindicated with nitrates and nitric oxide donors because of the risk of marked blood pressure lowering. Labeling also warns about use with alpha-blockers, antihypertensives, and strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors, which can increase exposure or hypotensive effects. Patients with congenital QT prolongation or those taking class IA or class III antiarrhythmics should avoid vardenafil. Regulatory labeling also notes caution in moderate to severe hepatic impairment and in patients on renal dialysis. The medicine should not be combined with other erectile dysfunction therapies unless specifically assessed by a clinician.
Possible Side Effects
Common adverse effects reported with vardenafil include headache, flushing, nasal congestion or rhinitis, and dyspepsia. Other reported effects include dizziness and back pain. More serious reactions can include symptomatic hypotension, priapism, visual disturbances, and cardiovascular adverse events in susceptible patients.
Scientific Evidence
Clinical reviews and meta-analyses in PubMed report that vardenafil improves erectile function versus placebo across multiple randomized trials, including measures of erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, and successful penetration/maintenance of erections. Overall tolerability is generally described as acceptable, with adverse effects similar to those of other PDE5 inhibitors.
Medical Information Notice
This summary is for educational use only and is based on sources available at the time of review. It does not replace the official patient leaflet, prescribing information, or individual assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Medical Sources
- FDA – LEVITRA (vardenafil hydrochloride) tablets, full prescribing information: FDA label
- FDA – STAXYN (vardenafil hydrochloride) orally disintegrating tablets, prescribing information: FDA label
- Keating GM, Scott LJ. Vardenafil: a review of its use in erectile dysfunction. Drugs. 2003. PubMed article
