Levitra Information and Uses

Levitra

Levitra Overview

Levitra (generic: vardenafil) is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in adult men. Levitra belongs to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, which work by relaxing muscles and increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken an hour before sexual activity, with or without food.

Common side effects of Levitra include facial flushing, headache, stuffy nose, and upset stomach.

Uses of Levitra

Levitra is a prescription medicine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Levitra

The most common side effects with Levitra are headache, flushing, stuffy or runny nose, indigestion, upset stomach, or 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.

In rare instances, men taking PDE5 inhibitors (oral erectile dysfunction medicines, including Levitra) reported a sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to these medicines, to other factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or to a combination of these. If you experience sudden decrease or loss of vision, stop taking PDE5 inhibitors, including Levitra, and call a doctor right away.

Sudden loss or decrease in hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears and dizziness, has been rarely reported in people taking PDE5 inhibitors, including Levitra. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to the PDE5 inhibitors, to other diseases or medications, to other factors, or to a combination of factors. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking Levitra and contact a doctor right away.

These are not all the side effects of Levitra. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Levitra Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Levitra and other medicines may affect each other. Always check with your doctor before starting or stopping any medicines. Especially tell your doctor if you take any of the following:

medicines called nitrates
medicines called alpha-blockers. These include Hytrin (terazosin HCl), Flomax (tamsulosin HCl), Cardura (doxazosin mesylate), Minipress (prazosin HCl) or Uroxatral (alfuzosin HCl). Alpha-blockers are sometimes prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure. In some patients the use of PDE5 inhibitor drugs, including Levitra, with alpha-blockers can lower blood pressure significantly leading to fainting. You should contact the prescribing physician if alpha-blockers or other drugs that lower blood pressure are prescribed by another healthcare provider.
medicines that treat abnormal heartbeat. These include quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone and sotalol.
ritonavir (Norvir) or indinavir sulfate (Crixivan) saquinavir (Fortavase or Invirase) or atazanavir (Reyataz)
ketoconazole or itraconazole (such as Nizoral or Sporanox)
erythromycin or clarithromycin
other medicines or treatments for ED

Levitra Precautions

Do not take Levitra if you:

take any medicines called “nitrates”. 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.

Levitra Food Interactions

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Levitra and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Inform MD

Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor about all your medical problems, including if you:

have heart problems such as angina, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, or have had a heart attack. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to have sexual activity.
have low blood pressure or have high blood pressure that is not controlled
have had a stroke
have had a seizure
or any family members have a rare heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval (long QT syndrome)
have liver problems
have kidney problems and require dialysis
have retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic (runs in families) eye disease
have ever had severe vision loss, or if you have an eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
have stomach ulcers
have a bleeding problem
have a deformed penis shape or Peyronie’s disease
have had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours
have blood cell problems such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia

medicines called nitrates
medicines called alpha-blockers. These include Hytrin (terazosin HCl), Flomax (tamsulosin HCl), Cardura (doxazosin mesylate), Minipress (prazosin HCl) or Uroxatral (alfuzosin HCl). Alpha-blockers are sometimes prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure. In some patients the use of PDE5 inhibitor drugs, including Levitra, with alpha-blockers can lower blood pressure significantly leading to fainting. You should contact the prescribing physician if alpha-blockers or other drugs that lower blood pressure are prescribed by another healthcare provider.
medicines that treat abnormal heartbeat. These include quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone and sotalol.
ritonavir (Norvir) or indinavir sulfate (Crixivan) saquinavir (Fortavase or Invirase) or atazanavir (Reyataz)
ketoconazole or itraconazole (such as Nizoral or Sporanox)
erythromycin or clarithromycin
other medicines or treatments for ED

Levitra and Pregnancy

You should know that Levitra is only for use in men. Women should not take Lunesta, especially if they are or could become pregnant. If a pregnant woman takes Lunesta, she should call her doctor.

Levitra and Lactation

You should know that Lunesta is only for use in men. Women should not take Lunesta, especially if they are breastfeeding.

Levitra Usage

Take Levitra exactly as your doctor prescribes. Levitra comes in different doses (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg). For most men, the recommended starting dose is 10 mg. Take Levitra no more than once a day. Doses should be taken at least 24 hours apart. Some men can only take a low dose of Levitra because of medical conditions or medicines they take. Your doctor will prescribe the dose that is right for you.

If you are older than 65 or have liver problems, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of Levitra.
If you have prostate problems or high blood pressure, for which you take medicines called alpha-blockers, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of Levitra.
If you are taking certain other medicines your doctor may prescribe a lower starting dose and limit you to one dose of Levitra in a 72-hour (3 days) period.

Take 1 Levitra tablet about 1 hour (60 minutes) before sexual activity. Some form of sexual stimulation is needed for an erection to happen with Levitra. Levitra may be taken with or without meals.

Do not change your dose of Levitra without talking to your doctor. Your doctor may lower your dose or raise your dose, depending on how your body reacts to Levitra.

If you take too much Levitra, call your doctor or emergency room right away.

Levitra Dosage

Take Levitra exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Your doctor will determine the best dose for you.

For most patients, the recommended starting dose of Levitra is 10 mg, taken by mouth approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity. The dose may be increased to a maximum recommended dose of 20 mg or decreased to 5 mg based on efficacy and side effects. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day. Levitra can be taken with or without food. Sexual stimulation is required for a response to treatment. A starting dose of 5 mg Levitra should be considered in patients 65 years of age or older.

Levitra Overdose

If you take too much Levitra (more than the prescribed amount) call your doctor or local Poison Control Center right away or seek emergency medical attention.

Forms of Levitra

Levitra tablets are available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg strengths.

Active Ingredient: vardenafil hydrochloride

Inactive Ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, yellow ferric oxide, and red ferric oxide.