Levitra (Vardenafil tablets)

What is Levitra?

Levitra (Vardenafil tablet) is used to treat erection problems in men. Vardenafil works faster than Sildenafil (Viagra) and it is less likely to have visual disturbance side effect.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Levitra?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• anatomical deformity of the penis, Peyronie's disease, or ever had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours
• bleeding disorder
• cancer
• diabetes
• frequent heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• heart disease, angina, high or low blood pressure, a history of heart attack, or other heart problems
• high cholesterol
• HIV infection
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• sickle cell disease
• stroke
• stomach or intestinal ulcers
• eye or vision problems
• an unusual reaction to vardenafil, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should Levitra be used?

Take Levitra by mouth with or without food. The dose is usually taken about 1 hour before sexual activity. Swallow the pills with a drink of water. Do not take double or extra doses.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed. At this time, this drug is not for use in children.

What if I miss a dose of Levitra?

This does not apply. However, do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take Levitra if you are taking the following medicines:

• nitroglycerin-type drugs for the heart or chest pain such as amyl nitrite, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerin, even if these are only taken occasionally. This includes some recreational drugs called 'poppers' which also contain amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate.

Levitra may also interact with the following drugs:

• alpha blockers such as alfuzosin (UroXatral®), doxazosin (Cardura®), prazosin (Minipress®), tamsulosin (Flomax®), or terazosin (Hytrin®), used to treat high blood pressure or an enlarged prostate.
• arsenic trioxide
• bosentan
• certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, sparfloxacin, troleandomycin
• certain medicines used for seizures such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital
• certain medicines for the treatment of HIV infection or AIDS
• certain medicines to control the heart rhythm (e.g., amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, ibutilide, quinidine, procainamide, propafenone, sotalol)
• chloroquine
• cisapride
• diltiazem
• grapefruit juice
• medicines for fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)
• methadone
• nicardipine
• pentamidine
• pimozide
• rifabutin, rifampin, or rifapentine
• some medicines for treating depression or mood problems (amoxapine, maprotiline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone, pimozide, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants)
• verapamil

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other drugs you are taking, including non-prescription medications, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way Levitra works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medications.

What should I watch for while taking this medicine?

If you notice any changes in your vision while taking this drug, notify your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible. Stop using vardenafil right away if you have a loss of sight in one or both eyes. Contact your healthcare provider at once.

Contact your physician as soon as possible if the erection lasts longer than 4 hours or if it becomes painful. This may be a sign of priapism and must be treated immediately to prevent permanent damage.

If you experience symptoms of nausea, dizziness, chest pain or arm pain upon initiation of sexual activity after levitra use, you should abstain from further activity and should discuss the episode with your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can.

Do not change the dose of your medicine. Please call your prescriber or health care professional to determine if your dose needs to be reevaluated.

Using levitra (vardenafil) does not protect you or your partner against HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases.

What side effects may I notice from levitra?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional immediately.

• back pain
• changes in hearing such as loss of hearing or ringing in ears
• changes in vision such as loss of vision, blurred vision, eyes being more sensitive to light, or trouble telling the difference between blue and green objects or objects having a blue color tinge to them
• chest pain or palpitations
• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
• dizziness
• eyelid swelling
• muscle aches
• prolonged erection (lasting longer than 4 hours)
• skin rash, itching
• seizures

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• flushing
• headache
• indigestion
• nausea
• stuffy nose

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

Where can I keep Levitra?

Keep Levitra out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store Levitra at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused drugs after the expiration date of expiration.