Levitra (Vardenafil) belongs to a group of medicines that delay the enzymes (proteins in your body) called phosphodiesterases from working too quickly. The penis is one of the areas where these enzymes work. Levitra is used to treat men who have erectile dysfunction. Levitra helps to increase the blood flow to the penis and may help men with erectile dysfunction 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. Levitra does not help to cure erectile dysfunction.
Do not take Levitra if you are taking any of the following medicines:
a nitrate such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), and others;
a recreational drug such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"); or
an alpha blocker such as doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), tamsulosin (Flomax), and others.
Taking Levitra with any of these medications may cause very low blood pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness, fainting, stroke, or heart attack
Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage the penis.
Refrain from further sexual activity and notify your doctor it you develop dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual activity.
Do not take Levitra more than once a day. In some cases, use of Levitra may be restricted to once every 72 hours (3 days). Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not take Levitra if you are taking any of the following medicines:
a nitrate such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), and others;
a recreational drug such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"); or
an alpha blocker such as doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), tamsulosin (Flomax), and others.
Taking Levitra with any of these medications may cause very low blood pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness, fainting, stroke, or heart attack
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;
have high or low blood pressure;
have a personal or family history of a rare heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval (long QT syndrome);
have liver problems;
have 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
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 Levitra is not indicated for use by women, it is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that Levitra is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Levitra should not be taken by women.
It is not known whether Levitra passes into breast milk. Levitra should not be taken by women.
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.
Take Levitra exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Levitra can be taken with or without food.
Levitra is usually taken when needed. Generally, it is taken about 1 hour before sexual activity. The medication can help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Levitra should not be taken with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Levitra can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor.
Do not take Levitra more than once a day. In some cases, use of Levitra may be restricted to once every 72 hours (3 days). Follow your doctor's instructions.
If you develop dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual activity, refrain from further sexual activity and notify your doctor.
Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage the penis.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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.
Do not take any other drug used to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others), without first talking to your doctor.
Levitra should not be taken with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Levitra can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Levitra and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
chest pain or an irregular heartbeats;
swelling of the ankles or legs;
shortness of breath;
prolonged or severe dizziness;
fainting;
a prolonged (lasting longer than 4 hours) or painful erection;
dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw); or
back pain.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Levitra and talk to your doctor if you experience
flushing;
mild dizziness;
headache;
nasal congestion;
stomach upset;
sensitivity of the eyes to light; or
temporary blue tint in vision or other vision abnormalities.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Do not take Levitra if you are taking any of the following medicines:
a nitrate such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), and others;
a recreational drug such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"); or
an alpha blocker such as doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), tamsulosin (Flomax), and others.
Taking Levitra with any of these medications may cause very low blood pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness, fainting, stroke, or heart attack
Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
any other drug used to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others);
the antibiotic drug erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, others);
an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
a medication used to treat irregular heartbeats such as quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release), procainamide (Procan SR, Procanbid, Pronestyl), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace, Sorine); or
the HIV medications indinavir (Crixivan) or ritonavir (Norvir).
You may not be able to take Levitra, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Levitra or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Levitra (Vardenafil) belongs to a group of medicines that delay the enzymes (proteins in your body) called phosphodiesterases from working too quickly. The penis is one of the areas where these enzymes work. Levitra is used to treat men who have erectile dysfunction. Levitra helps to increase the blood flow to the penis and may help men with erectile dysfunction 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. Levitra does not help to cure erectile dysfunction.
