drug class and mechanism: vardenafil is an oral drug that is used to treat impotence (the inability to attain or maintain a penile erection.). it is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that is similar to sildenafil (viagra). penile erection is caused by the engorgement of the penis with blood. this engorgement occurs when the blood vessels delivering blood to the penis increase in size and increase the delivery of blood to the penis. at the same time, the blood vessels carrying blood away from the penis decrease in size and decrease the removal of blood from the penis. sexual stimulation that leads to the engorgement and erection causes the production and release of nitric oxide in the penis. nitric oxide then activates the enzyme, guanylate cyclase to produce cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cgmp). the cgmp is primarily responsible for increasing and decreasing the size of the blood vessels carrying blood to and from the penis, respectively. vardenafil prevents an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 from destroying cgmp so that cgmp persists longer. the longer cgmp persists, the more prolonged the engorgement of the penis. vardenafil was approved by the fda in august, 2003. vardenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence; inability to get or keep an erection) in men. vardenafil is in a class of medications called phosphodiesterase (pde) inhibitors. it works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. this increased blood flow can cause an erection. vardenafil does not cure erectile dysfunction or increase sexual desire. vardenafil does not prevent pregnancy or the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (hiv). dosage and usage: 60 minutes before sexual activity side effects: tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: headache upset stomach heartburn dizziness flushing stuffy or runny nose flu-like symptoms