Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
The co-administration of vardenafil with nitrates or nitric oxide donors (such as amyl nitrite) in any form is contraindicated.
Vardenafil is contraindicated in patients who have loss of vision in one eye because of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), regardless of whether this episode was in connection or not with previous phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor exposure.
Medicinal products for the treatment of erectile dysfunction should generally not be used in men for whom sexual activity is inadvisable (e.g. patients with severe cardiovascular disorders such as unstable angina or severe cardiac failure [New York Heart Association III or IV]).
The safety of vardenafil has not been studied in the following sub-groups of patients and its use is therefore contraindicated until further information is available: severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C), end stage renal disease requiring dialysis, hypotension (blood pressure <90/50 mmHg), recent history of stroke or myocardial infarction (within the last 6 months), unstable angina and known hereditary retinal degenerative disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa.
Concomitant use of vardenafil with the potent CYP3A4 inhibitors ketoconazole and itraconazole (oral form) is contraindicated in men older than 75 years.
Concomitant use of vardenafil with HIV protease inhibitors such as ritonavir and indinavir is contraindicated, as they are very potent inhibitors of CYP3A4.
The co-administration of PDE5 inhibitors, including vardenafil, with guanylate cyclase stimulators, such as riociguat, is contraindicated as it may potentially lead to symptomatic hypotension.