This first section of our medication database entry focuses on basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits, while part two covers side effects, interactions and additional information.
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Levitra Consumer Information
LEVITRA
Generic Name: vardenafil (var DEH na fil)
Brand Names: Levitra
What is the most important information I should know about vardenafil?
- Do not take vardenafil 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 vardenafil 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 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.
What is vardenafil?
- 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).
- Vardenafil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking vardenafil?
- Do not take vardenafil 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 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
- 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 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.
How should I take vardenafil?
- 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.
- Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Vardenafil is used as needed, so you are not likely to miss a dose.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
- Symptoms of a vardenafil 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.
What should I avoid while taking vardenafil?
- 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.
- 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.
Please see the end of this document for relevant limitations, full details of our medication information supplier, and revision date or version number.