Common uses

Levitra is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor used to treat sexual function problems such as impotence or erectile dysfunction. In combination with sexual stimulation, levitra works by helping the blood flow into the penis to achieve and maintain an erection. Levitra is not intended for use in women or children. Levitra will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases including hiv infection. Use "safe sex" practices such as latex condoms. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Before using Levitra

Do not take levitra if you are also taking or using any form of nitroglycerin, other nitrates such as isosorbide, nitroprusside or any "nitric oxide donor" medicine, or recreational drugs called "poppers" containing amyl or butyl nitrate because very serious interactions may occur. If you are not sure whether a certain medicine is a nitrate, contact your doctor or pharmacist before taking levitra. Do not take levitra if you are taking an alpha-blocker medicine such as doxazosin, prazosin, or terazosin. If you are taking any of these medicines, contact your doctor or pharmacist before taking vardenafil.

Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking other drug for impotence; certain antifungal medicines such as itraconazole or ketoconazole; rifamycins such as rifampin; cimetidine; erythromycin; medicine for high blood pressure; medicine for abnormal heartbeats such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, or sotalol; hiv protease inhibitors such as ritonavir or indinavir, or st. John''''s wort.

Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking other drugs which may change the way the heart beats such as phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, quinolone antibiotics, and others. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor or any other medical conditions including penis problems; history of painful or prolonged erection; sickle cell anemia; blood system cancers such as leukemia or myeloma; eye diseases, especially retina diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, kidney or liver disease, bleeding disorders, active stomach ulcers, heart problems of any kind including arrhythmias, stroke, very high or low blood pressure, or allergies.

Do not take levitra if you have been told by your healthcare provider to not have sexual activity because of certain health problems, especially heart problems. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking levitra.

Directions

Follow the directions for using levitra provided by your doctor. Levitra comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about levitra. Take levitra by mouth as needed 1 hour before sexual activity or as directed by your doctor.

Do not take levitra more often than once daily as needed. If you are taking certain other medicines you may only be able to take levitra one time every three days. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Levitra may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. However, taking levitra with a high-fat meal may reduce the amount of medicine that your body absorbs.

Store levitra at room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted.

Cautions

Do not take levitra if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past or to any other ingredient that is found in it. Levitra may cause dizziness or vision changes. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to levitra. Using levitra alone, with other drugs, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.

To minimize dizziness or lightheadedness, sit up or stand slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. Your dose is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and the other medicines you are taking.

Do not exceed the recommended dose without checking with your doctor. Rarely, levitra may change heart rhythm, especially if taken with other medicines that can change the heart rhythm. This change in heart rhythm can result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Ask your doctor for more information and if you should stop taking any of your other drugs to reduce the risk of this side effect.

Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Caution is advised when using levitra in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of levitra. Levitra should not be used in women or children.

Possible side effects

Side effects that may occur while taking levitra include headache, flushing, stomach upset or nausea, heartburn, stuffy or runny nose, diarrhea, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Rarely vision changes such as increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or impaired blue/green color discrimination may also occur. If these continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience fast, slow, or irregular heartbeats.

Sexual activity may put extra strain on your heart, especially if you have heart problems. If you have heart problems and experience any serious side effects while having sex, stop having sex and tell your doctor immediately. These side effects include severe dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or nausea. In the unlikely even that you have a painful or prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours), stop using levitra and seek immediate medical attention or permanent problems could occur.

An allergic reaction to levitra is unlikely but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, unusual swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

If you take too much

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include back pain, muscle pain, and abnormal vision.

Additional information

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Do not share levitra with others for whom it was not prescribed, since they may have a problem that is not effectively treated with levitra, or they may have a condition that is complicated by levitra.

Do not use levitra for other health conditions. Keep levitra out of the reach of children and pets. If using levitra for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

Levitra interactions

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with levitra. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.