Common use

Levitra is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence; inability to get or keep an erection) in men. Levitra works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. This increased blood flow can cause an erection. Levitra (vardenafil) belongs to a class of medications called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors.

Dosage and direction

Take Levitra exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Levitra can be taken with or without food. Levitra is 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.

Precautions

To make sure Levitra is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: heart disease, heart rhythm problems; a heart attack, stroke, or congestive heart failure; long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); high or low blood pressure; seizure (convulsions); 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, 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); if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons; or liver disease, kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

Contraindications

You should not use Levitra if you are allergic to vardenafil, or if you take other medicines to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, such as riociguat (Adempas).
Do not take Levitra if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, and isosorbide mononitrate. 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.

Possible side effect

Stop using Levitra and get emergency medical help if you have: heart attack symptoms - chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating; vision changes or sudden vision loss; or erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours (prolonged erection can damage the penis).
Common Levitra side effects may include: flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling); stuffy nose, sinus pain; headache, dizziness; upset stomach; or back pain.

Drug interaction

Do not use Levitra with similar medications such as avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra), or tadalafil (Cialis). Tell your doctor about all other medications you use for erectile dysfunction.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially: an antibiotic - clarithromycin, erythromycin; antifungal medicine - itraconazole, ketoconazole; drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder - alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, silodosin, terazosin, tamsulosin; heart rhythm medicine - amiodarone, dronedarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol; or HIV/AIDS medicine - atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, cobicistat, and others.

Missed dose

Since Levitra is used as needed, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule. Do not take Levitra more than once a day. Allow 24 hours to pass between doses.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep away from children.