Generic Name: vardenafil (var DEN a fil)
Brand Names: Levitra
Levitra is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor which can help you to relax your muscles increase your blood inflow into the penis in the sexual stimulation. Men can achieve and maintain their erection with the help of Levitra. You can use it to treat erectile dysfunction or impotence.
It can also be used for some other purposes which are not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use Levitra if you are using nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. There is nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid), isosorbide mononotrate and isosorbide dinitrite in the Levitra. There may also nitrates in some recreational drugs like amyl nitrate or nitrite. There can be serious decrease in blood pressure which can lead to fainting and heart attack if you take Levitra with nitrate.
You should stop and call your doctor if you feel dizzy, or have pain, numbness or tingling in your chest, arms, neck and jaws during sexual activity. There can be some serious side effects of the Levitra.
The Levitra should be taken only once a day and there should at least 24 hours time between two doses. You should contact your doctor if you have painful erection or if erection lasts more than four hours. There can be damage of prolonged erection.
The blood flow can be decreased to the optic nerve to the eye causing sudden vision loss. It can happen in few people taking Levitra and most of these people have high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. It can also happen in smoking people or over 50 years old. If you have sudden vision loss then stop taking Levitra and get emergency help.
If you are using nitrate drug for chest pain or heart disease then you should not take Levitra. There is nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate and insosorbide dinitrate in it. Some recreational drugs like amyl nitrate also contain nitrates therefore there can be some side effects if your take Levitra with these nitrates like decrease in blood pressure leading to fainting an then heart attack.
You should inform your doctor before taking Levitra if you are allergic to any drug or if you have heart disease, heart attack, blood clots, congestive heart failure, high or low blood pressure, liver disease, kidney disease, personal family history of long QT syndrome, stomach ulcer, retinitis and physical deformity of penis. You will need to have special dose adjustment or special tests to take Levitra safely if you have any of these conditions.
The pregnant women should not use this medication without telling their doctor. If you are beast feeding a baby then you should use this medication after permission of doctor. This medication is not for use in women.
If you are older than 65 years then you may need a lower dose of this medication. You should follow instruction of your doctor.