WHAT IS LEVITRA?
LEVITRA is a prescription medicine taken by mouth for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. ED is a condition where the penis does not harden and expand when a man is sexually excited, or when he cannot keep an erection. A man who has trouble getting or keeping an erection should see his doctor for help if the condition bothers him. LEVITRA may help a man with ED get and keep an erection when he is sexually excited.
LEVITRA does not:
- cure ED
- increase a man’s sexual desire
- protect a man or his partner from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
- serve as a male form of birth control
HOW DOES LEVITRA WORK?
When a man is sexually stimulated, his body’s normal physical response is to increase blood flow to his penis. This results in an erection. LEVITRA helps increase blood flow to the penis and may help men with ED get and keep an erection satisfactory for sexual activity. Once a man has completed sexual activity, blood flow to his penis decreases, and his erection goes away.
WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE LEVITRA?
Do not take LEVITRA if you:
- take any medicines called “nitrates” (See “What important information should you know about LEVITRA?”). Nitrates are commonly used to treat angina. Angina is a symptom of heart disease and can cause pain in your chest, jaw, or down your arm.
- Medicines called nitrates include nitroglycerin that is found in tablets, sprays, ointments, pastes, or patches. Nitrates can also be found in other medicines such as isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate. Some recreational drugs called “poppers” also contain nitrates, such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate. Do not use LEVITRA if you are using these drugs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if any of your medicines are nitrates.
- you have been told by your healthcare provider to not have sexual activity because of health problems. Sexual activity can put an extra strain on your heart, especially if your heart is already weak from a heart attack or heart disease.
- are allergic to LEVITRA or any of its ingredients. The active ingredient in LEVITRA is called vardenafil.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF LEVITRA?
The most common side effects with LEVITRA are:
- headache
- flushing
- stuffy or runny nose
- indigestion
- upset stomach
- dizziness.
These side effects usually go away after a few hours. Call your doctor if you get a side effect that bothers you or one that will not go away.
LEVITRA may uncommonly cause:
- an erection that won’t go away (priapism). If you get an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, get medical help right away. Priapism must be treated as soon as possible or lasting damage can happen to your penis including the inability to have erections.
- color vision changes, such as seeing a blue tinge to objects or having difficulty telling the difference between the colors blue and green.