What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Ritonavir and vardenafil
Ritonavir's FDA label of July 23, 2026 names vardenafil in its drug interactions section, and vardenafil's label names ritonavir too. The ritonavir label: “… Particular caution should be used when prescribing sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil in patients receiving ritonavir. Coadministration of ritonavir with these drugs may result in an increase in PDE5 inhibitor …”
Check it at the source: the ritonavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 23, 2026, AbbVie Inc.); the vardenafil FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 5, 2026, Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.).
What does the ritonavir label say about vardenafil?
Ritonavir label, drug interactionsConcomitant Drug Class/Drug Name: PDE5 Inhibitors: avanafil sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil; Effect on Concentration of Ritonavir or Concomitant Drug: ↑ avanafil ↑ sildenafil ↑ tadalafil ↑ vardenafil; Clinical Comment: Sildenafil when used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (Revatio ®) is contraindicated due to the potential for sildenafil-associated adverse events, including visual abnormalities, hypotension, prolonged erection, and syncope [see Contraindications () ]. Do not use ritonavir with avanafil because a safe and effective avanafil dosage regimen has not been established. …
Source: FDA drug label (Norvir), AbbVie Inc., effective July 23, 2026 (SPL set 2849298e-de6e-47bb-8194-56e075b33fc3), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the vardenafil label say about ritonavir?
Vardenafil label, drug interactionsIt is recommended not to exceed a single 2.5 mg vardenafil dose in a 24-hour period when used in combination with indinavir. [See Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ).] Ritonavir (600 mg b.i.d.) co-administered with vardenafil 5 mg resulted in a 49-fold increase in vardenafil AUC and a 13fold increase in vardenafil C max.
Vardenafil label, warnings and precautionsInteractions with Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors Concomitant administration with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ritonavir, indinavir, cobicistat, ketoconazole) or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as erythromycin) increases plasma concentrations of vardenafil.
Source: FDA drug label (VARDENAFIL), Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., effective January 5, 2026 (SPL set 5876e062-e604-42a7-99c3-5da30b8dac06), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Ritonavir | Vardenafil | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | HIV | Erectile dysfunction |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.607 per tablet 100 mg tablet | $2.79 per tablet 20 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once