Use

Vardenafil is used to treat male sexual function problems (impotence or erectile dysfunction) by blocking a certain enzyme (phosphodiesterase-PDE5). In combination with sexual stimulation, vardenafil works by helping the blood flow into the penis to achieve and maintain an erection.

This drug is not indicated for use in women.

Use of this drug does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, syphilis). Practice "safe sex" such as using latex condoms. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

How to use LEVITRA 

This drug is taken by mouth as needed, 1 hour before sexual activity with or without food; or use as directed by your doctor. Do not take more often than once daily as needed.

A high fat meal may decrease the amount of drug that is absorbed.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you are being treated with this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and other medications you may be taking (see also Drug Interactions section). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Read the patient information leaflet provided by your pharmacist and ask questions if any of the information is unclear.

Side effects

Headache, flushing, nasal stuffiness, stomach upset, heartburn, runny nose, dizziness, or nausea may occur. Vision changes such as increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or impaired blue/green color discrimination may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Rarely, a sudden loss of eyesight in one or both eyes (NAION) may occur. This may or may not be due to vardenafil. If this serious problem occurs, seek immediate medical attention. You have a slightly greater chance of developing this serious eye problem if you have heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, certain eye problems ("crowded disk"), high blood pressure, are over 50 years of age, or if you smoke.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fast/slow/irregular heartbeat.

Sexual activity may put extra strain on your heart, especially if you have heart problems. If you have heart problems and experience any of these serious side effects while having sex, stop and tell your doctor immediately of: severe dizziness, fainting, chest pain.

For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur.

A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, unusual swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking vardenafil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: penis conditions (e.g., angulation, fibrosis/scarring, Peyronie's disease), history of painful/prolonged erection (priapism), sickle cell anemia, blood system cancers (e.g., leukemia or myeloma), eye problems (e.g., retina diseases like retinitis pigmentosa), kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding disorders, active stomach ulcers, heart problems (e.g., recent heart attack or serious arrhythmia within past 6 months, heart failure, coronary artery disease with unstable angina, aortic stenosis, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, congenital QT prolongation), recent stroke within past 6 months, very high or low blood pressure.

This drug may make you dizzy or cause vision changes; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug.

This drug is not indicated for use in women or children.

Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

See also How To Use section for drug-food interactions.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious (possibly fatal) interactions may occur: nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin, isosorbide), nitroprusside (or any "nitric oxide donor" drugs), recreational drugs called "poppers" containing amyl or butyl nitrite.

If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting vardenafil.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: alpha-blocker medication (e.g., doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin, or doses greater than 0.4mg daily of tamsulosin), other medications for impotence, drugs that affect certain liver enzymes (CYP 3A4 substrates, inhibitors and inducers, e.g., cimetidine, rifamycins, St. John's wort, certain anti-seizure drugs), high blood pressure medicines.

If you are taking ritonavir, do not take more than a 2.5mg dose of vardenafil in a 72 hour period. If you are taking indinavir or high doses (400mg daily) of either ketoconazole or itraconazole, do not take more than a 2.5mg dose of vardenafil per day. If you are taking erythromycin or low doses (200mg daily) of either ketoconazole or itraconazole, do not take more than 5mg dose of vardenafil per day. For more details contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Other drugs besides vardenafil which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include dofetilide, pimozide, amiodarone, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and sparfloxacin among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details before taking vardenafil. Ask for instructions about whether you need to stop any other QTc-prolonging drugs you may be using in order to minimize the risk of this effect.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others, since they may have a problem that is not effectively treated by this drug, or they may have a condition that is complicated by this drug.

Missed dose

Not applicable.

Storage

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.