What is Levitra (vardenafil)?

Vardenafil, the generic form of Levitra, is a drug utilized treat impotence or erectile dysfunction in men. This is when a man cannot get or maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity. The drug works by relaxing smooth muscle in the penis there by enabling better blood flow during sexual stimulation.

Vardenafil does not provide an erection. You will still need sexual stimulation when taking Vardenafil.

Important Information

Below are a number of key points you should consider before taking Vardenafil. As with all prescription drugs, consult a medical professional prior to starting take Vardenafil.

If you are allergic vardenafil or if you are using a nitrate drug for chest or heart pains, don't take vardenafil. Taking vardenafil with a nitrate can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading fainting, stroke, or heart attack.

Call your doctor right away if you become dizzy or nauseated during sexual activity, or if you have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw.

If your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours, contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention. This situation can damage the penis.

Although it has not been proven that vardenafil is the cause, there are a number of small cases in which people taking vardenafil have suffered sudden vision loss because of decreased blood floor the optic nerve. This has happened most often in people who have had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, an existing eye problem, and those who smoke and are over 50. Regardless, if you have sudden vision loss, stop taking Cialis and immediately seek medical attention.

What should I know before taking vardenafil?

Below are guidelines you should follow when taking vardenafil:

Take vardenafil as prescribed by your doctor. Dnot take more pills than prescribed (i.e., increase the dosage) or for longer than your doctor has indicated.

Dnot take vardenafil if you are alsusing a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitr-Dur, Nitr-Bid, and others), isosorbidedinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbidemononitrate (Imdur, ISM, Monoket). Nitrates are alsfound in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking vardenafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure that may lead fainting, stroke, or heart attack.

Before taking vardenafil, you should inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• high or low blood pressure;

• a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;

• a recent history (in the past 6 months) of a heart attack, angina (chest pain), or congestive heart failure;

• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, history of heart attack, chest pain (angina), or congestive heart failure;

• an eye disorder such as retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);

• a recent history of stroke or blood clots;

• a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";

• seizures;

• liver disease, kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;

• a stomach ulcer;

• hearing or vision problems, history of vision loss;

• 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.

It is important that you follow the instructions on your prescription label.

You can take vardenafil with our without food.

Dnot take vardenafil for erectile dysfunction if you are already taking Adcirca for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

You should store vardenafil away from heat and moisture.

Ingredients

Vardenafil is the primary ingredient in this medication. It is the generic form of Levitra.

How it Works

The primary benefit of vardenafil is trelax the blood vessels in the penis allowing for better blood flow with a result of improved erectile function. Sexual stimulation is still required when taking vardenafil.

Dosing

vardenafil can be taken to ways. First is immediately before sexual activity. This is a single, higher dose for immediate results. The second way is smaller, daily doses. This method keeps a certain level of the drug within the blood system thereby providing its effects whenever they are needed. Regardless of the method in which the drug is taken,

Interactions

Vardenafil has the following known interactions:

an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), or telithromycin (Ketek);

conivaptan (Vaprisol);

an antidepressant such as nefazodone;

heart or blood pressure medication such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekaml, Tribenzor, Twynsta), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine (Quin-G), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);

diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Solareze);

imatinib (Gleevec);

isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);

an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig), or voriconazole (Vfend);

drugs ttreat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder, such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), tamsulosin (Flomax);

heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), quinidine (Quin-G), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), or sotalol (Betapace); or

HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).