Item name:
Levitra (vardenafil) (Bayer)
Generic name:
vardenafil
Brand names:
Levitra
Item info:
Vardenafil relaxes muscles within the penis. This allows increased blood flow into the penis which is necessary to achieve and maintain an erection. Vardenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Drug class:
This monohydrochloride salt of vardenafil is a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5).
Interactions:
Do not take vardenafil if you are taking any of the following medicines:
Taking vardenafil with any of these medications may cause very low blood pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness, fainting, stroke, or heart attack
Before taking vardenafil, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
You may not be able to take vardenafil, 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 vardenafil 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.
Side effects:
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking vardenafil and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take vardenafil and talk to your doctor if you experience
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.
Prescription needed / OTC:
Rx only
Dosage:
Take vardenafil 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. Vardenafil can be taken with or without food.
Vardenafil 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. Vardenafil should not be taken with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Vardenafil 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 vardenafil more than once a day. In some cases, use of vardenafil 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. .
Contraindications:
A small number of patients have lost eyesight in one eye after taking vardenafil. This type of vision loss is called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION causes a sudden loss of eyesight because blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve. It is not clear at this time if vardenafil causes NAION. NAION also happens in patients who do not take this medicine.
People who have a higher chance for NAION include those who:
Stop using vardenafil if you have any loss in your eyesight and seek medical help right away. Before taking vardenafil, tell your doctor if you
You may not be able to take vardenafil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Although vardenafil is not indicated for use by women, it is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that vardenafil is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Vardenafil should not be taken by women. It is not known whether vardenafil passes into breast milk. Vardenafil should not be taken by women.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from vardenafil. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of the medication.
Storage:
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.