Information on Levitra

Pronounced: Luh-VEE-Trah
Generic name: vardenafil HCl

Why is Levitra prescribed?

Levitra is a prescription medicine taken by mouth for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.

Most important fact about Levitra.

Erectile dysfunction is a condition where the penis does not harden and expand when a man is sexually excited, or when he cannot keep an erection. A man who has trouble getting or keeping an erection should see his doctor for help if the condition bothers hime. Levitra may help a man with ED get and keep an erection when he is sexually excited.

Levitra does NOT...

• cure ED
• increase a man's sexual desire
• protect a man or his partner from sexually transimitted dieseases, including HIV.
• serve as a male form of birth control

How does Levitra work?

When a mean is sexually stimulated, his body's normal physical response is to increase blood flow to his penis. This results in an erection. Levitra helps increase blood flow to the penis and may help men with ED get and keep an erection satisfactory for sexual activity. Once a man has completed sexual activity, blood flow to his penis decreases, and his erection goes away.

Who can take Levitra

Levitra has been shown to be effective in men over the age of 18 years who have erectily dysfunction, including men with diabetes or who have undergone prostatectomy.

Who should NOT take Levitra

Do NOT take Levitra if you...

• take any medicines called "nitrates"
• take medicines called "alpha-blockers"
• you have been told by your healthcare provider to not have sexual activity because of health problems
• are allergic to Levitra or any of its incredients

What you should discuss with your doctor before taking Levitra

Before taking Levitra, tell the doctor about all your medical problems, including if you...

• have heart problems
• have had a stroke
• have a rare heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval (long AT syndrome)
• have liver problems
• have kidney problems and require dialysis
• have retinitis pigmentosa
• have stomach ulcers
• have a bleeding problem
• have a deformed penis shape or peyronie's disease
• have had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours
• have blood cell problems such as scicle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia

Can other medications affect Levitra?

Tell the doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Levitra and other medicines may affect eash other. Always check with your doctor before starting or stopping any medicines. Especially tell the doctor if you take any of the following...

• medicines called nitrates
• medicines called alpha-blockers like Hytrin® (terazosin HCl), Flomax® (tamsulosin HCl), Cardura® (doxazosin mesylate), Minipress® (prazosin HCl) or Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl)
• medicines that treat abnormal heartbeat like quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone and soalol
• ritonavir (Norvir®) and indinavir sulfate (Crixivan®)
• ketoconazole or itraconaole (such as Nizoral® or Sporanox®)
• erythromycin
• other medicines or treatments for ED

How should you take Levitra

Take Levitra exactly as your doctor prescribes. Levitra comes in different doses (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg). For most men, the recommended starting dose is 10mg. Do NOT take Levitra more than once a day. Doses should be taken at least 24 hours apart. Some men can only take a low dose of Levitra because of medical conditions or medicines they take. Your doctor will prescribe the dose that is right for you.

• If you are older than 65 or have liver problems, your doctor may start you on a lower dose
• If you are taking certain other medicines your doctor may prescribe a lower starting dose and limit you to one dose of Levitra in a 72 hour period.

Take 1 Levitra tablet about 1 hour (60 minutes) before sexual activity. Some form of sexual stimulation is needed for an erection to happen with Levitra. Levitra may be taken with or without meals.

Do not change your dose of Levitra without talking to your doctor. Your doctor may lower your dose or raise your dose, depending on how your body reacts to Levitra.

If you take too much Levitra, call your doctor or emergency room right away.

What are the possible side effect of Levitra

The most common side effects of Levitra are...

• headache
• flushing
• stuffy or runny nose
• indigestion
• upset stomach
• dizziness

These side effect usually go away after a few hours. Call your doctor if you get a side effect that bothers you or one that will not go away.

Less common side effect of Levitra are...

• an erection that won't go away (priapism)
  If you get an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, get medical help right away. Priapism must be treated as soon as possible or lasting damage can happen to your penis includin the ability to have erections.
• vision changes
  such as seeing a blue tinge to objects or having difficulty telling the difference between the colors blue and green.

These are not all the side effects of Levitra. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

How should Levitra be stored?

Store Levitra at room temperature between 59° and 86° F (15° to 30° C).

What are the ingredients of Levitra?

Active Ingredient: vardenafil hydrochloride.

Inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, yellow ferric oxide, and red ferric oxide.