About LEVITRA
LEVITRA is an FDA-approved oral prescription medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. It is available in 2.5-mg, 5-mg, 10-mg, and 20-mg tablets and is taken only when needed. Take LEVITRA no more than once a day.
How Does Levitra Work
When an erection goes flaccid, you have PDE5 to thank. Specialized penis tissue secretes a substance called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in response to sexual stimulation. The more cGMP available, the more durable the erection. Levitra inhibits the PDE5 enzyme, preserving cGMP levels, therefore aiding erection viability and durability.
Some Levitra Precautions and Warnings
Some precautions and warnings about this drug include the following:
- There are certain other medications that Levitra can interact with.
- If you have cardiovascular disease or significant heart disease risk factors, there is an increased chance of serious side effects when taking Levitra. In rare cases, problems with the heart, brain, and blood vessels are seen in people taking this drug. These problems can lead to dangerous side effects such as heart attack, stroke, or sudden death. If you experience any symptoms during sexual activity, you should stop any further activity and talk with your healthcare provider (see Levitra Side Effects).
- In people taking Levitra or other PDE5 inhibitors, there have been rare cases of a condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This condition can lead to sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. If you experience any loss of vision while taking Levitra, contact your healthcare provider immediately (see Levitra and Blindness).
- The FDA considers Levitra a pregnancy Category B medicine, meaning that while the drug has not been studied in pregnant women, it showed no negative effects on unborn babies in previous animal studies. However, Levitra is not licensed for use in female patients.
- In rare cases, people can experience a prolonged erection that can sometimes be painful. If you experience an erection for longer than four hours while taking Levitra, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
- There have been reports of a sudden decrease or loss of hearing in men taking Levitra. If you develop hearing problems, stop taking Levitra and contact your healthcare provider right away.
Drug Interactions
If you are taking ritonavir or nelfinavir, do not take more than a 2.5 milligrams dose of vardenafil in a 72 hour period. If you are taking indinavir or high doses (400 milligrams daily) of either ketoconazole or itraconazole, do not take more than a 2.5 milligrams dose of vardenafil per day. If you are taking erythromycin or low doses (200 milligrams daily) of either ketoconazole or itraconazole, do not take more than 5 milligrams dose of vardenafil per day. For more details contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Other drugs besides vardenafil which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include dofetilide, pimozide, amiodarone, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and sparfloxacin among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details before taking vardenafil. Ask for instructions about whether you need to stop any other QTc-prolonging drugs you may be using in order to minimize the risk of this effect.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
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