|
Levitra
|
Generic Name: vardenafil (var DEH na fil)
Brand Names:
Levitra |
|
|
|
|
What is the most important information I should know about
vardenafil? |
|
|
Do not take vardenafil if you are taking any of the following
medicines: |
|
· |
a nitrate such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur,
Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate
(Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO,
Monoket), and others; |
|
· |
a recreational drug such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers");
or |
|
· |
an alpha blocker such as doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin
(Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), tamsulosin (Flomax), and
others. |
|
|
Taking vardenafil with any of these medications may cause very low blood pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness,
fainting, stroke, or heart attack |
|
|
Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any erection
that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage the
penis. |
|
|
Refrain from further sexual activity and notify your doctor it you develop
dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling
in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual
activity. |
|
|
Do not take vardenafil more than once a day. In some cases, use of
vardenafil may be restricted to once every 72 hours (3 days). Follow your
doctor's instructions. |
|
|
Vardenafil relaxes muscles within the penis. This allows increased blood
flow into the penis which is necessary to achieve and maintain an
erection. |
|
|
Vardenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction
(impotence). |
|
|
Vardenafil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
vardenafil? |
|
|
Do not take vardenafil if you are taking any of the following
medicines: |
|
· |
a nitrate such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur,
Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate
(Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO,
Monoket), and others; |
|
· |
a recreational drug such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers");
or |
|
· |
an alpha blocker such as doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin
(Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), tamsulosin (Flomax), and
others. |
|
|
Taking vardenafil with any of these medications may cause very low blood pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness,
fainting, stroke, or heart attack |
|
|
Before taking vardenafil, tell your doctor if you |
|
· |
currently have or have ever had a heart attack, stroke, irregular
heartbeats, angina (chest pain), or congestive heart failure; |
|
· |
have high or low blood pressure; |
|
· |
have a personal or family history of a rare heart condition known as
prolongation of the QT interval (long QT syndrome); |
|
· |
have ever had blood problems, including sickle cell anemia, multiple
myeloma, or leukemia; |
|
· |
have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; |
|
· |
a family history of degenerative eye disease (e.g., retinitis pigmentosa);
or |
|
· |
have a physical deformity of the penis such as Peyronie's
disease. |
|
|
You may not be able to take vardenafil, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. |
|
|
Although vardenafil is not indicated for use by women, it is in the FDA
pregnancy category B. This means that vardenafil is not expected to be harmful
to an unborn baby. Vardenafil should not be taken by
women. |
|
|
It is not known whether vardenafil passes into breast milk. Vardenafil
should not be taken by women. |
|
|
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side
effects from vardenafil. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of the
medication. |
How should I take vardenafil? |
|
|
Take vardenafil exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand
these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to
you. |
|
|
Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
|
|
Vardenafil can be taken with or without food. |
|
|
Vardenafil is usually taken when needed. Generally, it is taken about 1 hour
before sexual activity. The medication can help achieve an erection when sexual
stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill. Follow
your doctor's instructions. |
|
|
Vardenafil should not be taken with grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
Vardenafil can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the
interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit
and grapefruit juice with your doctor. |
|
|
Do not take vardenafil more than once a day. In some cases, use of
vardenafil may be restricted to once every 72 hours (3 days). Follow your
doctor's instructions. |
|
|
If you develop dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort,
numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual activity,
refrain from further sexual activity and notify your
doctor. |
|
|
Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any erection
that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage the
penis. |
|
|
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose? |
|
|
Vardenafil is used as needed, so you are not likely to miss a
dose. |
What happens if I overdose? |
|
|
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected. |
|
|
Symptoms of a vardenafil overdose are not known, but are likely to include
chest pain, back pain, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, abnormal vision, and
swelling of the ankles or legs. |
What should I avoid while taking vardenafil? |
|
|
Do not take any other drug used to treat impotence, such as alprostadil
(Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others), without first
talking to your doctor. |
|
|
Vardenafil should not be taken with grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
Vardenafil can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the
interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit
and grapefruit juice with your doctor. |
What are the possible side effects of
vardenafil? |
|
|
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking
vardenafil and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor
immediately: |
|
· |
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
|
· |
chest pain or an irregular heartbeats; |
|
· |
swelling of the ankles or legs; |
|
· |
prolonged or severe dizziness; |
|
· |
a prolonged (lasting longer than 4 hours) or painful
erection; |
|
· |
dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or
tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw); or |
|
|
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take vardenafil and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
|
· |
sensitivity of the eyes to light; or |
|
· |
temporary blue tint in vision or other vision
abnormalities. |
|
|
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome. |
What other drugs will affect vardenafil? |
|
|
Do not take vardenafil if you are taking any of the following
medicines: |
|
· |
a nitrate such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur,
Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate
(Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO,
Monoket), and others; |
|
· |
a recreational drug such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers");
or |
|
· |
an alpha blocker such as doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin
(Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), tamsulosin (Flomax), and
others. |
|
|
Taking vardenafil with any of these medications may cause very low blood
pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness, fainting, stroke, or heart
attack |
|
|
Before taking vardenafil, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the
following medications: |
|
· |
any other drug used to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject,
Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others); |
|
· |
the antibiotic drug erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab,
others); |
|
· |
an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole
(Nizoral); |
|
· |
a medication used to treat irregular heartbeats such as quinidine
(Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release), procainamide (Procan SR, Procanbid,
Pronestyl), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace, Sorine);
or |
|
· |
the HIV medications indinavir (Crixivan) or ritonavir
(Norvir). |
|
|
You may not be able to take vardenafil, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the
medicines listed above. |
|
|
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with vardenafil or
affect your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and
herbal products. |
Where can I get more information? |
|
|
Your pharmacist has additional information about vardenafil written for
health professionals that you may
read. | |
|
|
