Generic Name: vardenafil (var DEN a fil)
Brand Names: Levitra, Staxyn
Levitra (vardenafil) relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body.
Levitra is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Levitra may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Do not take Levitra if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems (such as nitroglycerin). Taking vardenafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.
Stop using Levitra and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.
Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis.
During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right away. You could be having a serious side effect.
You should not use Levitra if you are allergic to vardenafil.
Do not take Levitra if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking vardenafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.
To make sure Levitra is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
heart disease, heart rhythm problems;
a recent history (in the past 6 months) of a heart attack, stroke, or congestive heart failure;
a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";
high or low blood pressure;
seizures;
liver disease, kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;
a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
a stomach ulcer;
hearing or vision problems, history of vision loss;
an eye disorder such as retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease); or
if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.
Levitra can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking Levitra, most of whom also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old. It is not clear whether Levitra is the actual cause of vision loss.
FDA pregnancy category B: Although Levitra is not for use in women, this medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
Although Levitra is not for use in women, it is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
Take Levitra exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Levitra can be taken with or without food.
Levitra is usually taken only when needed, about 60 minutes before sexual activity. The medicine can help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not take this medicine more than once a day. Allow 24 hours to pass between doses.
Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Usual Adult Dose for Erectile Dysfunction:
-Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day, as needed, approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity. Increase to 20 mg or decrease to 5 mg based on efficacy and tolerability.
-Maximum dose: 20 mg once a day
Patients on stable alpha blocker therapy:
-Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day
Comments:
-Sexual stimulation is required for a response to treatment.
-A time interval between dosing should be considered when administering this drug concomitantly with alpha-blockers.
Use: Erectile dysfunction
Usual Geriatric Dose for Erectile Dysfunction:
65 years or older:
-Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day, as needed, approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity
Comments: Sexual stimulation is required for a response to treatment.
Use: Erectile dysfunction
Since Levitra is used as needed, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with vardenafil and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking vardenafil.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Levitra.
Do not use any other drug to treat impotence unless your doctor tells you to.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Levitra: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Levitra and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.
During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right away. You could be having a serious side effect.
Stop using Levitra and call your doctor at once if you have:
vision changes;
ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;
heart attack symptoms - chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
irregular heartbeat;
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
shortness of breath;
a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer; or
seizure (convulsions).
Common Levitra side effects may include:
flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
stuffy nose;
headache, dizziness;
upset stomach; or
back pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
Do not take Levitra with similar medicines such as avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra), or tadalafil (Cialis). These medicines also have other brand names (Adcirca, Revatio) that are used to treat a condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Levitra, especially:
all other medications you use for erectile dysfunction;
an antibiotic - clarithromycin, erythromycin, and others;
antifungal medicine - itraconazole, ketoconazole, and others;
drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder - alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, silodosin, terazosin, tamsulosin;
heart rhythm medicine - amiodarone, dofetilide, disopyramide, dronedarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol; or
HIV/AIDS medicine - atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with vardenafil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Source: Drugs.com