Viagra vs. Levitra: How These Drugs Compare (2024)

If you’re interested in treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED), you may wonder how the drugs Viagra and Levitra compare. Both medications are used to treat ED in adult males.*

Viagra and Levitra are similar drugs. For example, both come as tablets you swallow, and you take doses only as needed before sex. But these drugs do have some minor differences. Keep reading to learn more about how Viagra and Levitra compare.

Levitra is discontinued, but its generic is available

Although this article discusses Levitra, this brand-name drug has been discontinued. But the generic version of this drug, vardenafil, is still available. Vardenafil works the same as Levitra to treat ED. So the information specific to Levitra in this article also applies to vardenafil, except where noted.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), brand-name Levitra wasn’t discontinued due to safety reasons. Reasons a drugmaker may stop producing a drug include economic or supply chain issues.

If you have questions about whether Viagra or vardenafil is right for you, talk with your doctor.

Note: For more information about Viagra, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article. And to learn more about either drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Mild and serious side effects are possible from taking either Viagra or Levitra. Some of these side effects are listed below.

For more information about the possible side effects of Viagra, see this article. To learn more about Levitra’s side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Mild side effects

Viagra and Levitra may cause mild side effects in some people. The chart below lists examples of mild side effects that have been reported with these drugs.

This chart may not include all mild side effects of these drugs. For more information on mild side effects of the two drugs, see the Viagra prescribing information and Levitra prescribing information.

Serious side effects

In addition to the mild side effects described above, serious side effects may occur in people using Viagra or Levitra. See the chart below for a list of serious side effects that have been reported with these drugs.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Viagra or Levitra, visit MedWatch.

Here’s an overview of the dosage for Viagra and Levitra and how you’ll take either drug for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). Note that the strengths are given in milligrams (mg).

Dosage for ED

* Levitra is discontinued. But the generic for Levitra, vardenafil, is still available. These strengths are for vardenafil. For more information, see the “Levitra is discontinued, but its generic is available” section above.

You may take Viagra or Levitra doses with or without food.

Although Viagra and Levitra are meant to be taken as needed before sex, you should not take more than one dose of either drug per day.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Viagra and Levitra.

How will my doctor determine whether Viagra or Levitra is better for me?

If you’re seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), you may wonder whether Viagra or the generic version of Levitra, vardenafil, is a better choice for you. (Levitra is discontinued. For more information, see the “Levitra is discontinued, but its generic is available” section above.)

Viagra and vardenafil are very similar drugs. For example, they’re both taken no more than once daily as needed to treat ED. But they do have some differences. Notably, you may take Viagra anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours before sex. With vardenafil, you’ll need to take the drug about 60 minutes before sex.

The treatment plan your doctor prescribes will depend on various factors, including your insurance coverage. Some insurance plans may prefer one drug over the other. Your treatment may also depend on other health conditions you have and medications you take.

It’s not uncommon for people to try more than one medication for treating ED to find what works best for them.

Your doctor may prescribe one ED medication to see how it works for you. If you experience side effects or the drug doesn’t seem to be working, your doctor can talk about trying a different ED treatment. However, it’s very important that you only take ED medications that are prescribed to you by your doctor. Also, do not use more than one medication for treating ED at the same time.

Your doctor can discuss whether Viagra or vardenafil is a better treatment option for you.

Is Levitra stronger than Viagra?

The generic version of Levitra, vardenafil, and Viagra come in different strengths. (Levitra is discontinued. For more information, see the “Levitra is discontinued, but its generic is available” section above.) Being available in different strengths doesn’t mean one drug is “stronger” than the other.

Which drug may work better for you may depend on several factors, including other medical conditions you might have or medications you might take. Your doctor may also prescribe one or the other based on your insurance coverage.

To learn more about whether Viagra or vardenafil is a better choice for you, talk with your doctor.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering these drugs. Visit Optum Perks to get price estimates for Viagra and Levitra when you use coupons from the site. It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Keep in mind that what you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your treatment plan, health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

Viagra and Levitra are brand-name drugs. Unlike Viagra, brand-name Levitra is discontinued.* Both Viagra and Levitra have generic versions available. (For details, see the next section.) You’ll usually pay more for brand-name drugs than generics. If you’re interested in using the generic forms of Viagra or Levitra, talk with your doctor.

For other resources that might help you save on the price of Viagra, see this article. Or to learn more about the price of either drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

* For more information, see the “Levitra is discontinued, but its generic is available” section above.

You may wonder if Viagra or Levitra is available as a generic.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

To find out if Viagra or Levitra is available as a generic, see the list below.

• Viagra:
  • Available as a generic: Yes
  • Active ingredient: sildenafil
• Levitra:
  • Available as a generic: Yes
  • Active ingredient: vardenafil

Levitra is discontinued. But the generic for Levitra, vardenafil, is still available. For more information, see the “Levitra is discontinued, but its generic is available” section above.

If you’ve been prescribed Viagra and are interested in using the generic version instead, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Doctors prescribe Viagra and Levitra to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult males.*

To learn more about these drugs or other treatments for ED, talk with your doctor.

* In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

You may wonder whether Viagra and Levitra are effective at treating your condition.

Viagra and Levitra have been found effective for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). The American Urological Association recommends both drugs for treating this condition. The association’s guidelines don’t endorse one drug over the other for this purpose.

If you’d like to read more about how each drug performed in studies, see the prescribing information for Viagra and Levitra.

Viagra and Levitra may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These may be referred to as warnings.

The two drugs share some of the same warnings but also have different ones. Some of these warnings are mentioned below. Before you start using Viagra or Levitra, be sure to talk with your doctor to see if these warnings apply to you.

Warnings

Before using Viagra or Levitra, talk with your doctor if any of the following conditions or health factors apply to you.

• Warnings for Levitra:
  • if you have or have had seizures
  • if you have long QT syndrome
• Warnings for both Viagra and Levitra:
  • if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients
  • if you’re using a nitrate medication, such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
  • if you’re using a guanylate cyclase stimulator medication, such as riociguat (Adempas)
  • if you have cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems, including heart failure or a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
  • if you have Peyronie’s disease or other conditions affecting your penis shape
  • if you have kidney or liver problems
  • if you have a bleeding problem, such as hemophilia
  • if you have or have had stomach ulcers
  • if you have anemia, including sickle cell anemia
  • if you have multiple myeloma or leukemia
  • if you have hearing or eye problems

To learn more about Viagra, see this in-depth article. Or for more information on either drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The short answer: Yes.

Details: It’s possible to switch between Viagra and the generic version of Levitra, vardenafil.* Both drugs are used only as needed, which makes it easier to switch from one drug to the other. Also, it’s not uncommon for people to try more than one medication for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) to find what works best for them.

Reminder: You should not switch drugs or stop your current ED treatment unless your doctor recommends it. If you’re taking Viagra or vardenafil and are interested in using the other, talk with your doctor to learn whether it’s a safe treatment choice for you.

* Brand-name Levitra is discontinued. But it’s possible to switch between Viagra and vardenafil, which is the generic for Levitra. For more information, see the “Levitra is discontinued, but its generic is available” section above.

Viagra and Levitra are very similar drugs for treating erectile dysfunction (ED).

Although this article discusses Levitra, this brand-name drug has been discontinued. But the generic version of this drug, vardenafil, is still available. Vardenafil works the same as Levitra to treat ED. (For more information, see the “Levitra is discontinued, but its generic is available” section above.)

You take a dose of Viagra or vardenafil as needed, before sexual activity. You should take no more than one dose per day. One big difference between these drugs is when you should take a dose:

• You can take Viagra anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours before sex.
• You can take vardenafil about 60 minutes prior to sex.

To learn more about how Viagra and vardenafil compare, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions you may want to ask include:

• Does my medical history indicate whether Viagra or vardenafil is a better choice for me?
• If I had side effects from taking either Viagra or vardenafil, what are my chances of having side effects if I switch to the other drug?
• Can you check whether my insurance covers Viagra or vardenafil?

And for more information about Viagra, see these articles:

• All About Viagra Oral Tablet
• Side Effects of Viagra: What You Need to Know
• All About Viagra’s Dosage

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.