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Drug Interactions between vardenafil and yohimbine

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

yohimbine vardenafil

Applies to: yohimbine and vardenafil

MONITOR: Concomitant use of multiple vasodilator drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) may increase the risk of additive adverse effects, including hypotension, dizziness, syncope, prolonged erection, or priapism. However, available data are conflicting. For example, approximately 4.9% and 7.1% of people in selected studies using single ingredient intracavernosal injections (ICIs) of papaverine reported experiencing painful/prolonged erections and priapism, respectively. Conversely, selected studies of people using ICIs containing papaverine and phentolamine reported an increase in the average rate of prolonged/painful erections to approximately 8.9%, but a reduction in the average rate of priapism to approximately 5.5%. Additionally, 1 case series reported an increase in dizziness and syncope when patients used both oral agents and ICIs to treat ED. Clinical data are not available for all possible combinations. The route of administration and amount of medication absorbed systemically may affect the clinical significance and severity of this interaction.

MANAGEMENT: Most clinical guidelines advise caution and closer clinical monitoring for patients on erectile dysfunction (ED) regimens that include multiple vasodilative agents due to the potential for additive adverse effects. Some drug manufacturers recommend avoiding combinations due to the potential risks and a lack of established data on safety. However, some of these medications are available as combinations (either commercially or via compounding) and some ED guidelines indicate that combination therapy may be appropriate in certain situations. Healthcare providers should refer to the product labeling and appropriate treatment guidelines for the most up to date information and recommendations; as well as, counsel patients on potential adverse effects and what to do should they occur.

References (14)
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  2. (2023) "Product Information. Invicorp (aviptadil-fentolamin)." Evolan Pharma AB
  3. (2023) "Product Information. Caverject (alprostadil)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals Group
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  5. (2019) "Product Information. Caverject Impulse (alprostadil)." Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd, pfpcaviv10519
  6. (2018) "Product Information. Muse (alprostadil)." Meda Pharmaceuticals
  7. (2018) "Product Information. Muse (alprostadil)." Viatris UK Healthcare Ltd
  8. Dhir RR, Lin HC, Canfield SE, Wang R (2011) "Combination therapy for erectile dysfunction: an update review." Asian J Androl, 13, p. 382-90
  9. Al-Adl AM, Abdel-Wahab O, El-Karamany T, Aal AA (2011) "Combined intracavernous vasoactive drugs and sildenafil citrate in treatment of severe erectile dysfunction not responding to on-demand monotherapy." Arab J Urol, 9, p. 153-8
  10. Karakus S, Burnett AL (2024) The medical and surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction: a review and update. https://www.canjurol.com/abstract.php?ArticleID=&version=1.0&PMID=32876000
  11. Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, et al. (2018) "Erectile Dysfunction: AUA Guideline." J Urol, 200, p. 633-41
  12. Hackett G, Kirby M, Wylie K, et al. (2018) "British society for sexual medicine guidelines on the management of erectile dysfunction in men - 2017." J Sex Med, 15, p. 430-57
  13. Lowy M, Ramanathan V (2024) Erectile dysfunction: causes, assessment and management options. https://australianprescriber.tg.org.au/articles/erectile-dysfunction-causes-assessment-and-management-options.html
  14. Domes T, Najafabadi BT, Roberts M, et al. (2021) "Canadian urological association guideline: erectile dysfunction." Can Urol Assoc J, 10, p. 310-22

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

vardenafil food

Applies to: vardenafil

MONITOR: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered drugs that are substrates of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Because grapefruit juice inhibits primarily intestinal rather than hepatic CYP450 3A4, the magnitude of interaction is greatest for those drugs that undergo significant presystemic metabolism by CYP450 3A4 (i.e., drugs with low oral bioavailability). In general, the effect of grapefruit juice is concentration-, dose- and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit juice (e.g., high dose, double strength) have sometimes demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP450 3A4, while other preparations (e.g., low dose, single strength) have typically demonstrated moderate inhibition. Pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are also subject to a high degree of interpatient variability, thus the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict.

MANAGEMENT: Patients who regularly consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice should be monitored for adverse effects and altered plasma concentrations of drugs that undergo significant presystemic metabolism by CYP450 3A4. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided if an interaction is suspected. Orange juice is not expected to interact with these drugs.

References (32)
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  3. Bailey DG, Arnold JM, Munoz C, Spence JD (1993) "Grapefruit juice--felodipine interaction: mechanism, predictability, and effect of naringin." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 53, p. 637-42
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  6. Bailey DG, Arnold JM, Strong HA, Munoz C, Spence JD (1993) "Effect of grapefruit juice and naringin on nisoldipine pharmacokinetics." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 54, p. 589-94
  7. Yamreudeewong W, Henann NE, Fazio A, Lower DL, Cassidy TG (1995) "Drug-food interactions in clinical practice." J Fam Pract, 40, p. 376-84
  8. (1995) "Grapefruit juice interactions with drugs." Med Lett Drugs Ther, 37, p. 73-4
  9. Hukkinen SK, Varhe A, Olkkola KT, Neuvonen PJ (1995) "Plasma concentrations of triazolam are increased by concomitant ingestion of grapefruit juice." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 58, p. 127-31
  10. Min DI, Ku YM, Geraets DR, Lee HC (1996) "Effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of quinidine in healthy volunteers." J Clin Pharmacol, 36, p. 469-76
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  15. Ozdemir M, Aktan Y, Boydag BS, Cingi MI, Musmul A (1998) "Interaction between grapefruit juice and diazepam in humans." Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet, 23, p. 55-9
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  17. Bailey DG, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (1998) "Grapefruit juice felodipine interaction: Effect of naringin and 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin in humans." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 64, p. 248-56
  18. Garg SK, Kumar N, Bhargava VK, Prabhakar SK (1998) "Effect of grapefruit juice on carbamazepine bioavailability in patients with epilepsy." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 64, p. 286-8
  19. Lilja JJ, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ (1998) "Grapefruit juice-simvastatin interaction: Effect on serum concentrations of simvastatin, simvastatin acid, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 64, p. 477-83
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Therapeutic duplication warnings

Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.

Duplication

Erectile dysfunction agents

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'erectile dysfunction agents' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'erectile dysfunction agents' category:

  • vardenafil
  • yohimbine

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.

See also

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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