Levitra
Vardenafil
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Levitra
Levitra is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor drug. It acts by helping the blood flow to the penis to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual act.
Therapeutic Uses of Levitra
Levitra is used in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction. It can also be used in other condition as your doctor determines.
Direction of use of Levitra
Levitra should be taken as required and ideally should be taken 30 minutes to one hour before sexual act. Some form of sexual stimulation is required for Levitra to act and to cause and maintain erection of penis. It should not be taken more than once a day and you should allow at least 24 hours between 2 doses.
Levitra is better in compared to Viagra (sildenafil) in many ways:
- Levitra can act in 16 minutes in compared to Viagra that acts in 30 to 60 minutes.
- Levitra has no cardiac side effects as well as no problem with vision but Viagra need more monitoring for these side effects.
- Viagra should be taken on empty stomach, whereas Levitra can be taken on full stomach.
- Levitra acts longer than Viagra.
- Levitra has fewer side effects as compared with Viagra.
- Levitra can work for up to 6 hours.
- Recommended time to take before sex is 25 to 45 minutes for Levitra and for Viagra it about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- With Levitra, there are no food or alcohol restrictions. Romantic dinners are possible with Levitra.
If You Miss a Dose of Levitra
Levitra is used as required and there is no chance that you will miss a dose.
How to Store Levitra
Levitra should be stored at 25 degrees C (77 degrees F); excursions permitted to 15-30 degrees C (59-86 degrees F). Keep Levitra out of the reach of children and away from moisture, heat, light etc.
More Information About Levitra
Ask your doctor or other health care provider if you have any question about Levitra.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Levitra
Do not use Levitra if you are suffering from any of the following medical conditions and consult your doctor immediately:
- If you have allergy to any of the ingredients of Levitra.
- If you have had a heart attack, stroke, or life threatening irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) within the past 6 months.
- If you are taking nitroglycerin tablet, patch or ointment; nitrates like isosorbide, or certain antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, quinidine etc.
- If you are suffering from any eye disease like retinitis pigmentosa, severe liver disease, end stage kidney failure that requires dialysis etc.
- If you have uncontrolled chest pain, uncontrolled high blood pressure or low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat ( due to congenital QT prolongation), severe heart failure etc.
Possible Adverse Effects of Levitra
The lees serious side effects of Levitra are headache, stomach upset, stuffy nose, backache, feeling of warmth in your face, neck, and chest; redness of face, neck etc.
If you are getting any of the side effects listed below, you should consult your doctor immediately. The serious side effects are:
- Irregular heartbeat, chest pain or heavy feeling in the chest, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling etc.
- Tinnitus or ringing in your ears, sudden hearing loss, sudden vision loss, sudden change of vision etc.
- Shortness of breath, feeling light headedness, fainting etc.
- Painful and prolonged erection of penis sometime lasting more than 4 hours.
If you notice any other side effects that are not listed here, you should inform your doctor immediately, as the side effects listed here are not the complete side effects. There may be other side effects also.
