Filitra Professional: Uses, dosage, side effects, warnings & patient reviews

What is Filitra Professional (Vardenafil)?

Filitra Professional is a medication containing the active pharmaceutical ingredient vardenafil hydrochloride. Vardenafil belongs to the class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

Filitra Professional is formulated as a sublingual tablet, designed to be placed under the tongue to dissolve. This route of administration is intended to allow absorption through the oral mucosa; onset and effectiveness can vary across individuals and products.

Vardenafil is the same active ingredient used in FDA-approved products such as Levitra (and FDA-approved generics in the U.S.). However, having the same active ingredient does not automatically mean the same quality, dosing accuracy, or bioequivalence across products that are not regulated within the U.S. drug supply chain. The therapeutic effect is contingent upon sexual stimulation; it does not cause spontaneous erections.

Regulatory Status and Availability

While vardenafil is an FDA-approved active ingredient, Filitra Professional (as a branded sublingual product) is not an FDA-approved medication for sale or distribution in the United States. When medications are obtained outside regulated supply chains, quality, purity, and dose consistency may vary. Discuss safer, regulated alternatives with a licensed clinician when possible.

For information on other treatment options, visit our erectile dysfunction drug category.

How to Take Filitra Professional

Use of any vardenafil-containing product should follow a clinician’s instructions. The information below summarizes general dosing concepts from vardenafil labeling and clinical references and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.

Administration Method

Filitra Professional is a sublingual tablet. Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve. Do not crush, split, or chew the tablet. Do not combine different vardenafil products or dosage forms unless a prescriber specifically instructs you to do so.

Dosage and Timing

For FDA-approved vardenafil products, the typical starting dose is often 10 mg, with some patients requiring 5 mg or up to a maximum of 20 mg based on tolerability, other medications, and medical conditions. A prescriber should determine the appropriate dose and product for you.

Vardenafil is commonly taken about 25 to 60 minutes before anticipated sexual activity. Individual timing and response vary. Effects may last several hours.

Do not take vardenafil more than once in a 24-hour period unless a prescriber explicitly advises otherwise.

Considerations for Food and Drink

Vardenafil can be taken with or without food. A high-fat meal may delay absorption and reduce peak levels for some oral formulations. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while using vardenafil, as it can interfere with metabolism and increase the risk of side effects.

Side Effects of Filitra Professional (Vardenafil)

Vardenafil, like all PDE5 inhibitors, can cause adverse effects. For a general overview of what to expect with ED medications, see our guide to ED pill side effects. The table below summarizes commonly reported effects and rare but serious safety signals.

If you experience a serious side effect (especially priapism or sudden changes in vision or hearing), stop taking additional doses and seek urgent medical care.

What is Filitra Professional Used For?

Filitra Professional is marketed for erectile dysfunction. The established medical indication for the active ingredient (vardenafil) is the treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult men.

FDA-Approved Indication (Vardenafil)

Vardenafil is indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It is prescribed to adult men with ED to improve the ability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. The medication’s effect is dependent on sexual stimulation.

Vardenafil has been studied in different patient groups with ED, including men with diabetes mellitus. For background reading, refer to this scientific exploration of type 2 diabetes and ED.

Important Limitations of Use

• Filitra Professional is not indicated for use by women, children, or adolescents under 18 years of age.
• It is not an aphrodisiac and does not increase libido.
• It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
• Men for whom sexual activity is not advised due to underlying cardiovascular conditions should not use PDE5 inhibitors unless a clinician determines it is safe.

Important Safety Concerns and Considerations

Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Risk

Sexual activity increases cardiac workload. Vardenafil is a vasodilator and can cause a mild, transient decrease in systemic blood pressure. Men with significant underlying cardiovascular disease may be at higher risk of complications, and a clinician should determine whether ED treatment is appropriate.

Examples of higher-risk situations described in product labeling and clinical guidance may include:

• Unstable angina or angina occurring during sexual activity.
• Heart failure with significant symptoms.
• Recent myocardial infarction or stroke.
• Recent life-threatening arrhythmia.
• Uncontrolled hypertension or clinically significant hypotension.

If you have cardiovascular disease (or symptoms such as chest pain with exertion), discuss ED treatment options with a clinician before using any PDE5 inhibitor.

QT Interval Prolongation

Vardenafil can produce a small, dose-related increase in the QT interval. Caution is advised for people with congenital long QT syndrome and for those taking medications known to prolong the QT interval (including certain Class IA and Class III antiarrhythmics).

Vision and Hearing Impairment

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition leading to sudden vision loss, has been reported post-marketing in temporal association with PDE5 inhibitors, including vardenafil. Sudden decrease or loss of hearing has also been reported. If these symptoms occur, stop taking additional doses and seek immediate medical attention.

Anatomical Penile Deformities and Priapism

Men with anatomical deformation of the penis (e.g., angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie’s disease) or conditions that may predispose them to priapism (e.g., sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia) should use vardenafil with caution due to the potential risk of priapism.

Critical Warnings for Filitra Professional Use

Contraindication with Nitrates

The concomitant use of Filitra Professional (vardenafil) with any form of organic nitrate or nitric oxide donor is contraindicated. This includes prescription nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate) used for angina, as well as recreational substances known as “poppers” (amyl or butyl nitrite). The combination can cause a severe and potentially life-threatening drop in blood pressure.

Cardiovascular Status

A medical evaluation to assess cardiovascular fitness for sexual activity may be appropriate before initiating ED treatment, especially for men with known cardiovascular disease or symptoms. Vardenafil is not a treatment for cardiovascular disease.

Effects on the Eye

Stop taking vardenafil and seek immediate medical attention in the event of a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, which could be a sign of NAION.

Effects on Hearing

Stop taking vardenafil and seek prompt medical attention if you experience sudden hearing loss or decrease, whether accompanied by tinnitus or dizziness.

Potential for Drug Interactions

Beyond nitrates and alpha-blockers, vardenafil is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4. Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, clarithromycin) can substantially increase vardenafil exposure and may require a lower dose or avoidance based on a prescriber’s decision. CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine) may reduce exposure and effectiveness.

Filitra Professional Dosage Information

The dosing concepts below reflect information used for FDA-approved vardenafil products. The appropriate dose for an individual depends on medical history, other medicines, and tolerability and must be determined by a qualified healthcare professional.

Important Administration Notes

• Frequency: The maximum recommended dosing frequency is typically once per 24-hour period.
• Onset of Action: Onset varies. For standard oral vardenafil tablets, effects are commonly assessed around 30–60 minutes after dosing; some dissolving products are marketed as faster-acting, but response depends on the individual and the specific formulation.
• Duration: The plasma half-life of vardenafil is approximately 4–5 hours.
• With or Without Food: Can be taken without regard to meals, but a high-fat meal may reduce the rate of absorption for some oral formulations.
• Missed Dose: Not applicable, as this medication is taken on an as-needed basis prior to sexual activity.

Drug Interactions with Vardenafil (Filitra Professional)

Vardenafil has the potential for significant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions. The table below lists key interactions, but it is not exhaustive. A complete review of all medications with a prescriber is essential.

Additional Information

Storage and Handling

Store Filitra Professional (vardenafil) sublingual tablets at controlled room temperature, between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F). Protect from moisture, heat, and direct light. Keep the medication in its original container or blister pack. Keep all medications out of the reach of children and pets.

Mechanism of Action (Detailed)

During sexual stimulation, nitric oxide (NO) is released in the corpus cavernosum of the penis. NO activates the enzyme guanylate cyclase, leading to increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP causes smooth muscle relaxation in the corpus cavernosum, allowing increased blood flow and an erection. Vardenafil is a potent and selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), the enzyme responsible for degrading cGMP in the corpus cavernosum. By inhibiting PDE5, vardenafil increases intracavernosal cGMP levels, thereby enhancing the erectile response to sexual stimulation.

Reporting Side Effects

Patients are encouraged to report suspected side effects to their healthcare provider and to relevant national health authorities (e.g., the FDA in the United States via the MedWatch program). Reporting helps health authorities monitor medication safety and identify potential quality issues in the supply chain.

References and Medical Sources

This information is compiled from prescribing information and authoritative medical sources related to vardenafil (FDA-approved products and published references). Filitra Professional itself is not an FDA-approved U.S. product.

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Drug Approval Package: Levitra (vardenafil hydrochloride) Tablets (NDA 021400). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2003/21-400_Levitra.cfm
2. DailyMed (NIH/NLM). LEVITRA (vardenafil hydrochloride) labeling. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=be38b325-3a6f-4569-9ae0-a03feff8535d
3. European Medicines Agency (EMA). Levitra (vardenafil) Summary of Product Characteristics. [Updated 2014].
4. Hatzimouratidis, K., et al. “Guidelines on Male Sexual Dysfunction: Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation.” European Urology, vol. 57, no. 5, 2010, pp. 804-814.
5. Goldstein, I., et al. “Vardenafil, a new phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes: a multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled fixed-dose study.” Diabetes Care, vol. 26, no. 3, 2003, pp. 777-783.
6. Drugs.com. Vardenafil Professional Monograph. Drugs.com; [Updated 2024]. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/vardenafil.html

Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not self-medicate based on the information presented on this site. Always consult with a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health.