Staxyn® is an orally disintegrating tablet used to treat ED by increasing blood flow to the penis during sex.
Staxyn
*image for illustrative purpose only
Staxyn
*image for illustrative purpose only
Staxyn® (vardenafil hydrochloride) is a medication approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Like other oral ED treatments, it belongs to the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor class of medications, which work by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation.
Staxyn comes as an orally disintegrating tablet, which may be appealing to those who don't like swallowing pills. Staxyn provides higher exposure in the body to the active ingredient vardenafil than does Levitra®, another ED medication containing vardenafil.
Staxyn should be taken as needed approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity and lasts for a few hours. Side effects include headache, flushing, and congestion. Staxyn should not be used with nitrates, and users should consult their healthcare provider before taking the drug, as it can cause low blood pressure when combined with certain other medications.
Staxyn (vardenafil hydrochloride) is indicated to treat:
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor
Adverse reactions reported by ≥2% of patients treated with Staxyn:
Headache
Flushing
Nasal congestion
Indigestion
Dizziness
Back pain
Brand-name Staxyn® is no longer available, but its generic form is. The cost of generic Staxyn may vary depending on your insurance plan, the dosage, quantity, and where you buy it.
Without insurance, the average retail price of generic Staxyn is about $700 for 40 disintegrating oral tablets or about $50 for four tablets. However, coupons or discount cards may be available to bring down the price. Most insurance companies will not cover the cost of generic Staxyn because they don’t consider it medically necessary.
Administration with nitrates and nitric oxide donors
Drug interactions: Nitrates, alpha-blockers, antihypertensives, CYP3A4 inhibitors
Cardiovascular effects: Patients should not use Staxyn if sex is inadvisable due to cardiovascular status
Potent and noderate CYP3A4 inhibitors: Do not use Staxyn in patients taking potent or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors
Risk of priapism
Effects on the eye: Patients should stop use of Staxyn, and seek medical attention in the event of sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
Sudden hearing loss
Alpha-blockers: Caution is advised when PDE5 inhibitors are co-administered with alpha-blockers
QT prolongation
Phenylketonurics: Each Staxyn tablet contains 1.01 mg phenylalanine per tablet, which could be harmful for patients with phenylketonuria
Staxyn’s active ingredient, vardenafil, typically starts working within about one hour of taking the medication, with sexual stimulation.
Generic Staxyn comes in a 10-milligram oral tablet that dissolves on the tongue.
Staxyn and Levitra contained the same active ingredient, vardenafil, and were both FDA-approved to safely and effectively treat erectile dysfunction. However, they came in different formulations: Staxyn was an orally disintegrating tablet (meaning it dissolved on the tongue), while Levitra was a traditional tablet that had to be swallowed. Both the Staxyn and Levitra brand names have been discontinued by their respective manufacturers, but their active ingredient and generic forms are still available.
No, Staxyn is not indicated for use in women.
*This information is from the label for brand name Staxyn®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Vardenafil, the active ingredient in Staxyn, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient vardenafil.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Drugs.com. (n.d.). Staxyn prices, coupons, copay cards, and patient assistance. https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/staxyn
Drugs.com. (n.d.). Vardenafil prices, coupons, copay cards and patient assistance. https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/vardenafil
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2010). Staxyn label. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/200179lbl.pdf
