Vardenafil is a medication prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction and is marketed under the trade name Levitra. Vardenafil was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in August 2003 and has since been studied extensively. Vardenafil works by inhibiting enzymes found throughout the body, known as phosphodiesterases. Each type of phosphodiesterase, also known as PDE, affect the body differently and are concentrated in specific body regions, serving unique functions. Vardenafil was originally engineered to inhibit PDE-5, associated with erectile dysfunction, but has also shown to be beneficial by inhibiting other PDEs.
Erectile Function
Vardenafil is extremely potent in its ability to treat erectile dysfunction. Bayer Pharmaceuticals states that Vardenafil works by triggering smooth muscle relaxation, allowing increased blood flow into the penis. Without sexual stimulation, Vardenafil has no effect on the penis or the triggering of erections. Vardenafil lasts an average of 4 hours and erections usually subside after sexual intercourse is completed. Patients should contact their doctors if an erection lasts longer than 4 hours. Vardenafil is significantly more potent than similar first generation PDE-5 inhibitors. In the June 2004 issue of the "International Journal of Impotence Research," Dr. Erwin Bischoff found that Vardenafil is 10 times more potent than Viagra and 13 times more potent than Cialis at inhibiting PDE-5.
Heart Health
Vardenafil also has a beneficial effect on the heart. By inhibiting PDE-5, the smooth muscles in the heart dilate, allowing more blood to flow and reduce the overall workload. Drugs that selectively inhibit PDE-5 have been prescribed to reduce pulmonary hypertension. In addition, Vardenafil helps promote new growth of vascular pathways. In the April 2010 issue of "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology," Dr. Makoto Sahara and associates noted that PDE-5 inhibition enhanced ischaemia induced angiogenisis. By sending out a low-oxygen signal, known as a hypoxia-inductible factor, damaged heart blood vessels are repaired. This suggests that PDE-5 inhibition may have a therapeutic potential in treating patients with ischaemic heart disease.
Mental Health
Vardenafil has also shown beneficial effects regarding brain function, especially with patients who have suffered stroke or have signs of dementia. Vardenafil inhibits the phosphodiasterase enzymes found in the brain, which affect memory and cognition. In the August 2009 issue of "Psychopharmacology," Dr. Olga Reneerkens and associates revealed that phosphodiesterase inhibitors like Vardenafil showed significant strength in improving information processing, attention, memory, emotional arousal and executive functioning. Other research involving Vardenafil points towards specific mechanisms that may explain its effects on memory and cognition. In the December 2009 issue of the "Journal of Korean Medical Science," Dr. Tae-Soo Kim and associates reported that Vardenafil can stimulate new growth of brain cells and increase serotonin levels, both associated with positive mental health.
References
- Bayer: Levitra Medication Insert for Healthcare Professionals
- International Journal of Impotence Research: Potency, Selectivity, and Consequences of Nonselectivity of PDE Inhibition
- "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology"; A Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitor Vardenafil Enhances Angiogenesis Through a Protein Kinase G--Dependent Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1/Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Pathway; Maloto Sahara; April 2010
- Psychopharmacology: Selective Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors: A Promising Target For Cognition Enhancement
- Journal of Korean Medical Science: Vardenafil Increases Cell Proliferation in the Dentate Gyrus through Enhancement of Serotonin Expression in the Rat Dorsal Raphe
