Brand Names: Levitra

Generic Name: Vardenafil (var DEN a fil)

What is Levitra?

Levitra is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Levitra is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. It works by helping to relax muscles and increase blood flow into the penis during sexual stimulation. This helps men to achieve and maintain an erection.

Levitra may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

How Taken

Levitra comes as a tablet to take it orally. It should be taken, as needed about 1 hour before sexual activity. Some form of sexual stimulation is needed for an erection to occur with Levitra. Levitra should not be taken more than once a day. Levitra can be taken with or without food.

Warnings/Precautions

Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor if you currently have or have ever had a heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeats, angina (chest pain), or congestive heart failure; high or low blood pressure; if you have a personal or family history of a rare heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval (long QT syndrome); liver problems or kidney problems; have ever had blood problems, including sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia; have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; have a stomach ulcer; a family history of degenerative eye disease (e.g., retinitis pigmentosa); or if you have a physical deformity of the penis such as Peyronie\'s disease. You may not be able to take Levitra, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Although women do not indicate Levitra for use, it is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that Levitra is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Women should not take Levitra. It is not known whether Levitra passes into breast milk. If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Levitra. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of the medication.

Missed Dose

Levitra is used as needed, so you are not likely to miss a dose.

Possible Side Effects

The most common side effects with Levitra are:
-Headaches
-Flushing
-Stuffy or runny nose
Levitra may uncommonly cause: an erection that will not 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. Vision changes, such as seeing a blue tinge to objects or having difficulty telling the difference between the colors blue and green. These are not all the side effects of Levitra. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Storage

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F). Keep Levitra and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of a Levitra overdose are not known, but are likely to include chest pain, back pain, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, abnormal vision, and swelling of the ankles or legs.

More Information

Do not take Levitra if you:
-Take any form of medication known as "nitrates" (Type of medicine used to relieve chest pain that can occur as a result of heart disease). Taking Levitra in combination with nitrates may result in serious side effects.
-Take medicines called "alpha-blockers" (sometimes prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure). Taking Levitra with alpha-blockers may drop your blood pressure to an unsafe level.
-Your doctor determines that sexual activity poses a health risk for you.
You have a known sensitivity or allergy to any component of Levitra. The use of Levitra offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Counseling of patients about protective measures necessary to guard against sexually transmitted diseases, including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), should be considered.

Important information about Levitra

Levitra can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking Levitra, most of whom also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old. It is not clear whether Levitra is the actual cause of vision loss.

Do not take Levitra more than once a day. Allow 24 hours to pass between doses. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis.

During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right away. You could be having a serious side effect of Levitra.

Do not take Levitra if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking Levitra with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting, stroke, or heart attack.

Stop using Levitra and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.