HOW DOES LEVITRA WORK?

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LEVITRA (vardenafil HCI) belongs to a class of drugs called "PDE5 inhibitors." It works by increasing blood flow to the penis to help improve erectile function. The active ingredient in LEVITRA works specifically on the chain of events that occurs in the penis during arousal, when two large chambers in a man's penis fill with blood.

pde5 inhibitors

In clinical trials, LEVITRA was shown to help many men get and keep an erection that lasted long enough for sexual activity.

Taking LEVITRA

  • Take it about an hour before sex.
  • LEVITRA may be taken with or without food

Forget the Rumors

  • LEVITRA is not a magic pill or an aphrodisiac (a substance such as a food or drug that arouses or is believed to arouse sexual desire); it will not increase sexual desire
  • It should not give you an instant erection; you'll need to be sexually stimulated for it to work
  • It should not leave you erect for hours. If an erection lasts more than 4 hours, get medical help right away

Getting Results

  • LEVITRA works for many men with ED, but if it doesn't work the first couple of times, ask your doctor about adjusting the dose
  • LEVITRA works for many men with ED who also have a general range of conditions, including diabetes, high cholesterol1, or high blood pressure2
  • LEVITRA works for many men with ED, including those taking one or more types of blood pressure medication (ask your doctor about drug interactions)2

LEVITRA is not recommended for men with uncontrolled high blood pressure.

  1. 1. Miner 2008
  2. 2. Van Ahlen 2005
 
 

LEVITRA (vardenafil HCI) is a prescription medicine that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

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Important Safety and Dosing Information

LEVITRA (vardenafil HCI) is a prescription medicine that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Men taking nitrate drugs, often used to control chest pain (also known as angina), should not take LEVITRA. Such combinations could cause blood pressure to drop to an unsafe level.

As with all ED drugs, there is a rare risk of an erection lasting longer than four hours. To avoid long-term injury, seek immediate medical attention. LEVITRA does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. In rare instances, men taking PDE5 inhibitors (oral erectile dysfunction medicine, including LEVITRA) reported a sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes, or a sudden decrease or loss in hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears and dizziness. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to these medicines or to other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking PDE5 inhibitors, including LEVITRA, and call a doctor right away.

Discuss your medical conditions, including heart problems, and medications, including alpha blockers prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure, with your doctor to ensure LEVITRA is right for you and that you are healthy enough for sexual activity. LEVITRA is not recommended for men with uncontrolled high blood pressure.

The starting dose of LEVITRA is 10 mg taken no more than once per day. Your doctor will decide the dose that is right for you. In patients taking alpha blockers, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of LEVITRA. In patients taking certain medications such as ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir, atazanavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin and clarithromycin, lower doses of LEVITRA are recommended, and time between doses of LEVITRA may need to be extended.

In clinical trials, the most commonly reported side effects were headache, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose. LEVITRA is available in 2.5-mg, 5-mg, 10-mg, and 20-mg tablets.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see complete Prescribing Information, which includes the patient information, for 2.5-mg, 5-mg, 10-mg, and 20-mg
LEVITRA® (vardenafil HCl).
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