About Levitra
Levitra (vardenafil HCl) is a PDE inhibitor drug. This erectile
dysfunction treatment helps men achieve and maintain erection
by increasing blood flow to the penis.
Be aware of the possibility of serious drug interactions with
this medication, and its effects on blood pressure.
This medication helps improve erection during sexual arousal
and activity but erection should end after sexual activity
is complete. An erection lasting more than 4 hours may be
dangerous and damage the penis. Seek medical attention if
you experience this side effect.
Levitra does not prevent pregnancy and does not offer protection
against sexually transmitted diseases.
Levitra is only available by prescription, and is only suitable
in cases where sexual activity is deemed safe by a doctor.
Levitra Side Effects
If you experience any unusual symptoms while taking this drug, report them to your doctor.
Common Side Effects: Altered vision (blue tint or
haze), bloating, burping, congested sinuses, dizziness, flu-like
symptoms, flushing, headache, heartburn, indigestion, upset
stomach.
Less Common Side Effects: blurred vision, diarrhea,
difficulty breathing or swallowing, faintness, hives, hoarseness,
impaired night vision, inability to distinguish between blue
and green, priapism (prolonged erection), rash, swelling.
Some side effects indicate the need for emergency medical
attention. Call emergency services immediately if side effects
are severe. Do not take any medication in conjunction with
this treatment that has not been approved by your prescribing
physician.
Cautions: Like many medications, Levitra is not a
suitable treatment for all individuals. If you have a history
of any of the following conditions, please bring them up with
your prescribing physician to ensure that your treatment will
be as safe and effective as possible.
- Abnormal Penis: Do not use Levitra if you have
peyronies disease (deformed penis)
- Allergy: Any past allergic reaction to Levitra
or varndenafil would be a contraindication for treatment.
If you have an allergic reaction during treatment, contact
your doctor and stop taking Levitra. Be sure to mention
any allergies to foods and dyes when consulting with your
doctor.
- Blood Disorders: Tell your doctor if you have blood
cell disorders such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, or sickle
cell anemia, or any bleeding disorders. This medication
may increase the risk of complications.
- Blood Pressure: If you have high or low blood pressure,
discuss the risks with your doctor before taking this medication.
Levitra is known to lower blood pressure in certain cases.
Any disease or condition in which this would be dangerous
would indicate that a person should not take it. Some combinations
of medications can cause dangerously low blood pressure.
- Cardiovascular Disease: If you have a cardiovascular
condition, and have been advised against sexual activity
by your doctor, Levitra is not a safe treatment for you.
- Doctor Consultation: If you have not made your
prescribing physician aware of your medical history and
given them a full list of any medications you presently
take, this treatment may not be safe for you.
- Eye Disease: If you have eye disease such as retinitis
pigmentosa, notify your doctor before taking Levitra.
- Heart Problems: Notify your doctor of any heart
problems. This treatment may not be for you.
- Kidney Disease: Levitra may not be safe for individuals
with kidney problems. Discuss kidney problems with your
doctor.
- Liver Disease: Discuss liver problems with your
doctor before taking Levitra.
- Long QT Syndrome: If your or members of your family
have had a heart condition known as prolongation of the
QT, notify your doctor. Levitra may be unsafe for you.
- Priapism: Individuals with a past history of this
condition, defined by erections persisting for longer than
six hours, should not use Levitra. This medication could
trigger an attack in susceptible individuals. If you should
experience an erection that lasts longer than four hours,
seek prompt medical attention, as irreversible damage to
the erectile tissue could occur.
- Stomach Conditions: Heartburn, ulcer, or other
disorders of the stomach should be taken into special consideration
in your doctor's decision to prescribe Levitra.
- Stroke: If you have a history of stroke, it may
be dangerous to take Levitra. Discuss the risks with your
doctor.
- Surgery: If you are planning surgery or a dental
procedure or if you have a medical emergency, notify all
of your doctors that you are taking Levitra.
Levitra Interactions
This medication may cause dangerous side effects if mixed with certain prescription or herbal preparations. As some of these interactions could be life threatening, be sure to give your prescribing physician a full list of all products taken. If you are using Levitra, consult with a doctor or pharmacist before using a new prescription or herbal treatment for any reason.
- Accolate (zafirlukast) - May have interaction with Levitra.
- Alpha Blockers - These high blood pressure treatments
may cause blood pressure to become dangerously low in combination
with Levitra. Do not combine with alpha blockers such as
Cardura (Doxazosin), Flomax (Tamsulosin), Hytrin (Terazosin),
Minipress (Prazosin), or Uroxatral (Alfuzosin).
- Antifungals - Notify your doctor if you take use antifungals
such as Diflucan (fluconazole),
Nizoral (ketoconazole),
or Sporanox (itraconazole).
Dosage adjustment may be necessary.
- Betapace (sotalol) - Tell your doctor if you take this
medication.
- Biaxin (clarithromycin) - Notify your doctor if you take
Biaxin.
- Calan (verapamil) - Notify your doctor, increased monitoring
or dosage adjustment may be required.
- Crixivan (indinavir sulfate) - May increase levels of
Levitra. Notify your doctor if you take this medication.
- Danocrine (danazol) - Tell your doctor if you take this
medication.
- Cardizem (diltiazem) also Dilacor, Tizac - If you take
diltiazem, notify your doctor before taking Levitra.
- Erectile dysfunction medications - May be unsafe to combine
Levitra with other erectile dysfunction medications. Follow
your doctor's instructions.
- Erythromycin - Dosage adjustment may be required.
- Heart medications - Levitra is not safe with some heart
medications such as Cordarone (amiodarone), Quinidine (Cardioquin,
Quinidex, etc.), Procainamide (Procan, Promine, etc.), Sotalol
(Betapace, Sotacor, etc.)
- Nitrates like nitroglycerin or amyl nitrate may dangerously
lower blood pressure.
- Norpace (disopyramide) - Consult your doctor before combining
with Levitra.
- Norvir (ritonavir) - Levitra dosage may need to be adjusted.
- Nydrazid (isoniazid) - Notify your doctor if you take
this type of medication.
- Procainamide - Medications such as Procanbid and Pronestyl
may interact with Levitra.
- Quinidex (quinidine) - Notify your doctor if you take
this medication.
- Rescriptor (delaviradine) - Consult your doctor about
drug interaction.
- Sandimmune (cyclosporine) - Notify your doctor if you
take this medication.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like
Paxil (paroxetine),
Prozac (fluoxetine),
Luvox (fluvoxamine),
Celexa (citalopram), or
Zoloft (sertraline)
should not
- Serzone (nefazodone) - Consult your doctor before combining
medications.
- TAO (troleandomycin) - May have interaction with Levitra.
Levitra Dosages
Levitra comes in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets.
A starting dose of 10 mg is common in patients aged 18-65. Older patients, patients with liver problems, other medical conditions, or individuals taking certain drugs that may reduce Levitra's clearance from the body, will likely be given a 5 mg dose.
Dosage is usually one tablet only when needed for a maximum of once per day. Wait at least 24 hours before taking another dose. For some patients the minimum time between doses may need to be increased to more than 24 hours, sometimes 72 hours. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions.
Levitra Directions
Levitra may be taken with or without food.
This medication should be taken no more than once daily,
and should not generally be taken every day without consulting
with your doctor. For best results, Levitra is to be taken
about an hour before intercourse.
Store Levitra away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location; avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.
Keep Levitra away from children; both when storing it, and when discarding any unused medication.
Levitra and Pregnancy
Levitra is not for use in women. If a pregnant woman takes Levitra, she should seek medical attention.
Levitra and Children
Levitra is not prescribed to individuals under the age of 18, and has not been tested for safety in this group. Keep this and all other medication, out of the reach of children.
Levitra and Seniors
Men over 65 may have increased side effects. Lower dosage is usually prescribed.
Levitra is a trademark of Bayer
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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