✓ Medically reviewed by · Last reviewed: May 2026
Pharmacy Researcher · 8 years experience
Pharmacy researcher with 8 years reviewing clinical drug information, generic formulation equivalence, and international pharmaceutical standards. Focuses on patient-facing accuracy in medication education.
Quick Answer
Levitra and Vilitra contain the identical active molecule — vardenafil hydrochloride — at dose-equivalent strengths (5, 10, 20 mg). Both inhibit PDE5; both have a 4–5 hour effective window similar to sildenafil; and both are more selective for PDE5 over PDE6 than sildenafil, producing less of sildenafil’s blue-tint visual disturbance. The differences are regulatory and economic: Bayer’s Levitra is FDA-approved with a 2026 US MSRP near $50–$60 per 20 mg pill. Vilitra is manufactured by Centurion Laboratories under WHO-GMP certification and ships worldwide from MedsBase — at roughly $1–$2 per pill. Same drug, ~40× price gap.
Vardenafil occupies a particular niche in the ED-medication landscape. Sildenafil and tadalafil dominate prescription volume globally, and vardenafil is the “third PDE5 inhibitor” that gets picked for specific reasons: users who respond to sildenafil but experience the blue-tint visual disturbance (cyanopsia) from sildenafil’s PDE6 cross-reactivity, users wanting a sildenafil-like onset and window but a slightly different side-effect profile, and users for whom tadalafil’s 36-hour window is too long for the use case.
Bayer’s original Levitra approval came in August 2003, six months ahead of Lilly’s Cialis. The vardenafil pivotal program (Hellstrom et al., Journal of Urology, 20021) demonstrated efficacy across 805 men, with successful intercourse attempts in 75% of cases on 20Â mg vardenafil versus 39% on placebo. The molecule’s pyridoazepinone core, sharing the cGMP-mimetic feature of sildenafil and tadalafil, has not changed since.
Bayer’s US patent on vardenafil expired in 2018. Outside the US, generic vardenafil entered numerous export markets earlier. Vilitra, manufactured by Centurion Laboratories Pvt Ltd in Vadodara, Gujarat — the same WHO-GMP facility producing Cenforce sildenafil and Vidalista tadalafil — is among the most widely distributed generic vardenafil products globally.
TL;DR comparison table
| Levitra (brand) | Vilitra (generic) | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Vardenafil hydrochloride | Vardenafil hydrochloride |
| Drug class | PDE5 inhibitor (PDE5-selective over PDE6) | PDE5 inhibitor (PDE5-selective over PDE6) |
| Manufacturer | Bayer (originally) / now multiple distributors | Centurion Laboratories Pvt Ltd (WHO-GMP) |
| Available doses | 5, 10, 20Â mg + Staxyn (orodispersible 10Â mg) | 5, 10, 20, 40, 60Â mg + Super Vilitra (with dapoxetine) |
| Onset of action | ~30 minutes (15–25 min on empty stomach) | Same |
| Half-life | ~4–5 hours | Same |
| Effective window | 4–6 hours | Same |
| Food-effect | High-fat meal delays absorption (similar to sildenafil) | Same |
| Typical 2026 price (20 mg) | ~$50–$60/pill US MSRP | ~$1–$2/pill on MedsBase |
| Regulatory status | FDA-approved (US prescription) | WHO-GMP; not FDA-registered (not marketed in US) |
Both pills contain the same molecule: vardenafil hydrochloride
Vardenafil hydrochloride was FDA-approved on 19 August 2003. The Hellstrom et al. pivotal trial1 was an integrated analysis of three placebo-controlled studies in 805 men with mild-to-moderate ED. At the 20Â mg dose, vardenafil produced erection rigidity sufficient for vaginal penetration in 75% of attempts versus 39% on placebo; orgasm completion rates similarly favoured the treatment arm. The same molecule was approved as Staxyn (orodispersible vardenafil 10Â mg) in 2010 as a Bayer line extension.
Bayer’s US patent expired in 2018, and generic vardenafil reached US retail pharmacies that year. Vilitra is among the most widely distributed export-market generic vardenafil products, manufactured by Centurion Laboratories — the same WHO-GMP facility producing Cenforce (sildenafil) and Vidalista (tadalafil). For brand-vs-generic comparisons on the other two PDE5 molecules, see our Viagra vs Cenforce and Cialis vs Vidalista guides.
Bioequivalence
FDA and WHO bioequivalence criteria require identical API at identical dose, with Cmax and AUC within 80–125% of reference in human PK studies. Both Levitra and Vilitra contain vardenafil hydrochloride at FDA-recognised dose strengths. Generic vardenafil products sold in US retail pharmacies since 2018 carry FDA Orange Book AB ratings — therapeutically equivalent and substitutable. Vilitra, because it is not marketed in the United States, does not carry an FDA AB rating, but Centurion’s facility applies the same Cmax/AUC criterion under WHO PQ.
How vardenafil works (and what makes it different from sildenafil)
Like sildenafil and tadalafil, vardenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor — blocking the enzyme that breaks down cGMP in the smooth muscle of the corpus cavernosum and pulmonary arteries. The mechanism is identical at the receptor level.
Where vardenafil differs is in selectivity. Sildenafil shows meaningful cross-reactivity with PDE6, the phosphodiesterase isoenzyme in retinal photoreceptors, which produces the well-documented blue-tint visual disturbance (cyanopsia) in approximately 3% of sildenafil users at the 100 mg dose. Vardenafil is approximately 10× more PDE5-selective vs PDE6 than sildenafil, producing meaningfully less visual side effect at therapeutic doses. This is the principal pharmacological reason a prescriber might choose vardenafil over sildenafil specifically.
Tadalafil sits at a different point on the selectivity tradeoff: it has even less PDE6 cross-reactivity than vardenafil, but cross-reacts with PDE11 in skeletal muscle (producing the back/muscle pain effect documented for tadalafil). Each of the three PDE5 inhibitors carries a slightly different selectivity profile and therefore a slightly different side-effect signature, even though the primary efficacy mechanism is shared.
Doses and dose equivalence
Levitra is sold in 5, 10, and 20 mg strengths, with 20 mg as the labelled maximum. Vilitra offers the same three strengths plus 40 and 60 mg, and combination formats including Super Vilitra (vardenafil 20 mg + dapoxetine 60 mg for combined ED + premature ejaculation treatment) and Vilitra CT chewable. MedsBase carries the full Vilitra range — browse all Vilitra doses.
The 40 and 60 mg Vilitra strengths exceed the FDA-labelled 20 mg ceiling and are not standard recommended doses. As with sildenafil and tadalafil, the dose-response curve plateaus — doubling the dose does not double the response, but it does increase side-effect rates.
Cross-molecule dose equivalence (approximate):
- 10Â mg vardenafil ~ 50Â mg sildenafil ~ 10Â mg tadalafil (mild dose)
- 20Â mg vardenafil ~ 100Â mg sildenafil ~ 20Â mg tadalafil (full dose)
Price comparison
| Channel | 20 mg vardenafil — per pill |
|---|---|
| Levitra brand, US retail pharmacy | ~$50–$60 MSRP |
| Generic vardenafil, US Costco cash | $10–$30 |
| Generic vardenafil, US Amazon Pharmacy | $8–$20 |
| Vilitra 20, MedsBase | ~$1–$2 |
The price gap drivers are identical to those for the sildenafil and tadalafil branded-vs-generic stories: patent recovery in the branded price, lower-cost WHO-GMP manufacturing, and absence of the marketing/sales/PBM layers in the generic supply chain.
Side effects: identical molecule, identical profile
Vardenafil’s side-effect profile applies identically across Levitra and Vilitra:1
- Headache (~15%) — vasodilation in cerebral vasculature
- Facial flushing (~12%) — cutaneous vasodilation
- Nasal congestion (~10%)
- Dyspepsia (~5%)
- QT prolongation (modest signal at 20Â mg; clinically meaningful only in patients with congenital long-QT or on Class IA/III antiarrhythmics)
- Visual disturbance (~<2%) — notably lower than sildenafil due to greater PDE5 vs PDE6 selectivity
The QT signal is the principal selectivity-related caveat for vardenafil and is specifically called out in the FDA label. It is generally not clinically meaningful in patients without underlying cardiac arrhythmia risk.
Contraindications
Do not combine vardenafil (either brand) with any of the following without explicit physician approval:
- Organic nitrates (nitroglycerine, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate)
- Class IA antiarrhythmics (quinidine, procainamide) or Class III antiarrhythmics (amiodarone, sotalol) — QT prolongation risk; vardenafil is the only PDE5 inhibitor with a specific antiarrhythmic interaction caveat.
- Recreational “poppers” (amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite)
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin) — markedly elevate vardenafil plasma levels; dose reduction required
- Alpha-blockers (doxazosin, terazosin) — orthostatic hypotension risk; stagger dosing
Caution also in congenital long-QT syndrome, severe hepatic impairment, severe renal impairment, and hereditary degenerative retinal disorders.
Manufacturer disclosure: who makes Vilitra?
Vilitra is manufactured by Centurion Laboratories Pvt Ltd, Vadodara, Gujarat — the same WHO-GMP-certified facility producing Cenforce sildenafil and Vidalista tadalafil for the global generic export market. Centurion holds WHO-GMP certification under the Indian Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and ISO 9001:2015 quality management. Per-batch quality release includes HPLC content assay confirming vardenafil HCl within the 95–105% USP specification window, dissolution testing per USP <711>, and stability monitoring per ICH guidelines. Certificates of Analysis are available on request through MedsBase customer support.
How to order Vilitra from MedsBase
Vilitra ships worldwide from MedsBase in discreet packaging (plain envelope, no medication name on the exterior). Payment is accepted via crypto (USDT, BTC, ETH via Plisio), credit card via a regulated crypto on-ramp (statement descriptor is the on-ramp provider name — a regulated card-payment processor — never MedsBase), or SEPA bank transfer where available. See our credit card payment guide. Orders are covered by the MedsBase Reshipment Assurance Policy.
Who should choose vardenafil over sildenafil or tadalafil?
- Users with sildenafil-induced visual disturbance: vardenafil’s PDE5 selectivity over PDE6 is meaningfully greater than sildenafil’s, and most users who experience cyanopsia (blue-tint visual disturbance) on sildenafil tolerate vardenafil without it.
- Users wanting a sildenafil-like 4–5 hour window: for whom tadalafil’s 36-hour duration is too long for the use case (anyone who wants the effect to be over within an evening rather than extending into the next day).
- Users with mild–moderate ED responding partially to sildenafil: vardenafil is sometimes more effective in this group; the molecule’s slightly different selectivity can translate to better individual response.
- Cost-conscious long-term users: Vilitra at $1–$2/pill is the lowest-cost option for any of the three molecules. Branded Levitra at $50–$60/pill is rarely the right choice if generic substitution is acceptable.
For the broader ED-medication overview see our complete ED medication guide. For combined ED + premature ejaculation, the Super Vidalista (tadalafil + dapoxetine) and Super Vilitra (vardenafil + dapoxetine) combos are worth considering.
Pricing context: The brand-vs-generic price comparison on this page is one entry in MedsBase’s broader Brand-vs-Generic Medication Pricing Index — a quarterly-updated reference covering 15 brand-vs-generic pairs across ED, GLP-1, hair-loss, PrEP, and cosmetic clusters, with full methodology and citation disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vilitra literally the same drug as Levitra?
Yes. Both contain vardenafil hydrochloride as the active ingredient at the same labelled doses (5, 10, 20Â mg). The mechanism, onset, half-life, effective window, and side-effect profile are pharmacologically identical. The differences are the manufacturer, the inactive excipients, and the price.
How does vardenafil differ from sildenafil and tadalafil?
All three are PDE5 inhibitors with the same primary mechanism. Vardenafil has greater selectivity for PDE5 over PDE6 than sildenafil, producing less of sildenafil’s blue-tint visual disturbance. Vardenafil has shorter duration than tadalafil (4–5 hours vs 36 hours), making it more sildenafil-like in use pattern. Vardenafil also has a documented QT-prolongation signal that the other two PDE5 inhibitors do not share, which restricts its use in patients with cardiac arrhythmia risk.
Is Vilitra FDA-approved?
No. Vilitra is not registered with the US FDA because it is not marketed in the United States. However, Centurion Laboratories manufactures Vilitra under WHO-GMP certification, which applies the same bioequivalence and quality-control standards used by the FDA. Generic vardenafil products that ARE sold in US pharmacies are FDA Orange Book AB-rated and therapeutically substitutable for Levitra.
Does Vilitra work as fast as Levitra?
Yes. Onset is approximately 30 minutes for both (15–25 minutes on empty stomach). A high-fat meal delays absorption for both pills equally — this is a property of the vardenafil molecule, not the brand.
I have a long-QT condition. Can I take Vilitra?
Vardenafil has a documented QT-prolongation signal at the 20 mg dose. Congenital long-QT syndrome is a contraindication. If you have any cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis or take Class IA/III antiarrhythmics, vardenafil (including Vilitra) is not appropriate — sildenafil or tadalafil are usually safer alternatives. Discuss with a clinician.
How is Vilitra so much cheaper than Levitra?
Three reasons. First, the branded Levitra price still carries a marketing margin recovered after the 2018 US patent expiry. Second, WHO-GMP manufacturing under Indian regulatory oversight has dramatically lower production costs than the Bayer US-based manufacturing. Third, Vilitra has no DTC advertising, no sales-rep visits, and no PBM rebate structure. The cost difference reflects marketing economics, not the molecule.
Are the side effects of Vilitra the same as Levitra?
Yes. Both pills cause headache (around 15 percent), facial flushing (around 12 percent), nasal congestion (around 10 percent), and dyspepsia (around 5 percent). Vardenafil also has a modest QT prolongation signal at 20Â mg that is not present for sildenafil or tadalafil. The molecule is identical and the pharmacology is identical between brand and generic.
What about Super Vilitra (vardenafil + dapoxetine)?
Super Vilitra combines vardenafil 20Â mg with dapoxetine 60Â mg in a single tablet for men who have both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. The combination is one tablet, with both effects in the same window. Our Priligy vs Poxet guide covers dapoxetine specifically.
Sources
- Hellstrom WJG, Gittelman M, Karlin G, et al. Vardenafil for treatment of men with erectile dysfunction. Journal of Urology. 2002;168(2):721–727.
- Porst H, Padma-Nathan H, Giuliano F, et al. Efficacy of tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction at 24 and 36 hours after dosing: a randomized controlled trial. Urology. 2003;62(1):121–126 (cross-molecule comparator context).
- US Food and Drug Administration. NDA 021400, Levitra (vardenafil HCl). Approval letter, 19 August 2003.
- World Health Organization. Multisource (generic) pharmaceutical products guidelines. WHO Technical Report Series 1003, Annex 6, 2017.
- Centurion Laboratories Pvt Ltd. WHO-GMP certification under the Indian Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.
Last clinically reviewed: 18 May 2026.
Written by
Sophie ChenPharmaceutical Content Researcher · 8 years experience
Sophie Chen is a pharmaceutical content researcher with 8 years covering generic medication access and clinical pharmacology. She specialises in international regulatory frameworks, bioequivalence standards, and patient-facing education on therapeutic drug classes. She is not a clinician.