Common Use

Brand Levitra was developed by the pharmaceutical company Bayer/GlaxoSmithKline and uses Vardenafil HCl as the main component of the medication. Levitra is an oral drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. Sexual stimulation causes the production and release of nitric oxide from the nerve endings of the cavernous bodies of the penis, activating the enzyme guanylate cyclase. This enzyme is responsible for the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which causes the widening and relaxation of blood vessels carrying blood to the penis. Levitra prevents the phosphodiesterase-5 enzyme from destroying cGMP, thereby supporting blood flow to the penis.

Dosage and Direction

The recommended dose of Levitra is 10 mg per day, taken an hour before intercourse. If no side effects are experienced, the dosage can be increased up to 20 mg. In case of adverse effects, the dose is reduced to 5 mg daily. Do not take more than one tablet of Levitra a day.

Precautions

• Levitra has not been studied in people with cardiovascular disease, so it is preferable to avoid it in patients who have had a stroke, heart failure, or a heart attack, especially within the last six months.
• Inform your doctor before taking Levitra if you have kidney or liver problems, a bleeding disorder, stomach ulcer, or an inherited retinal disorder such as retinitis pigmentosa.
• Also, inform your doctor if you have an allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines, penile deformation such as angulation, cavernous fibrosis (Peyronie's disease), or diseases that contribute to the development of priapism (e.g., sickle-cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia).

Contraindications

• Levitra is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to its ingredients.
• It should not be used by patients treated with organic nitrates, those under 16 years old, or those taking HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir and ritonavir.

Possible Side Effects

• Levitra is usually well tolerated, and side effects, if they occur, are transient.
• The most frequent side effects include headache, flushing, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, and nasal congestion.
• More rare and uncommon adverse effects include photosensitivity of the skin, hypertension, back pain, watery eyes, hypotension, myalgia, and priapism.

Drug Interaction

• Levitra's metabolism is inhibited by erythromycin, ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), indinavir (Crixivan), and ritonavir (Norvir).
• Levitra reduces the concentration of ritonavir and indinavir.
• In patients treated with nitrates, Levitra may aggravate chest pain by increasing heart rate and lowering blood pressure.
• Levitra can exaggerate the blood pressure-lowering effects of alpha-blocking drugs (e.g., terazosin or Hytrin).
• Levitra should never be administered to patients treated with organic nitrates.

Missed Dose

Levitra is taken when needed but not more often than once daily, so a missed dose is not applicable.

Overdose

• Symptoms of overdose may include pain in the back, jaw, or arm, blindness, blurred vision, chest pain or discomfort, and decreased vision.

Storage

Store Levitra at room temperature between 15-30°C (59-86°F), away from children, pets, moisture, and sunlight.

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug interactions, or precautions. The information on this site cannot be used for self-treatment or self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed upon with your healthcare adviser or doctor. We disclaim the reliability of this information and any mistakes it may contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special, or other indirect damage resulting from the use of the information on this site or the consequences of self-treatment.