Levitra

Levitra, known as vardenafil hydrochloride, is an oral medication that blocks phosphodiesterase-PDE5 and is often used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. The drug is in the same drug class as Cialis and Viagra. Like Cialis and Viagra, Levitra is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, blocking the body’s ability to produce the PDE5 enzyme that causes ED. When combined with sexual stimulation, Levitra improves the enlargement of blood to the penis, helping to achieve and maintain an erection.

What is Levitra?

Levitra is a medicine, belonging to the group of medicines under the name phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. The active substance vardenafil in Levitra relaxes and dilates some blood vessels. This allows blood to flow into the penis during sexual arousal. Levitra is used in men with erectile dysfunction.

• Used for: erectile problems
• Effect: relaxes and dilates blood vessels
• Active substance: vardenafil

How does Levitra work?

During sexual arousal, the blood vessels of the penis dilate, so that the erectile bodies can fill with blood and an erection occurs. The blood vessels that need to drain the blood are temporarily closed, so the erection remains. In the case of erectile dysfunction, insufficient blood flows into the penis or it does not stay in, causing the erection to quickly slacken. The PDE5 inhibitors in Levitra inhibit the breakdown of the blood-dilating substances.

Levitra takes effect about half an hour after ingestion and the effect disappears after about four to five hours.

How is Levitra used and what is the dosage?

Levitra comes in tablets of 5, 10, and 20mg. Your doctor prescribes the exact dosage. Take the tablets with a glass of water on an empty stomach, about one hour before sexual activity. Do not use Levitra more than once a day, otherwise, this increases the chance of side effects.

What happens if I take too much Levitra?

No more tablets should be taken than the doctor has indicated. When taking too much Levitra, the side effects and their severity can increase. Dosages above 20mg do not increase the effect.

When should you not use Levitra?

If you are hypersensitive to any of the components in Levitra, you cannot use this medicine. If you also use medicines called nitrates, Levitra should not be used either. The use of nitrates in combination with Levitra can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure. The antibiotics clarithromycin and erythromycin and medicines against fungal infections increase the amount of vardenafil in the blood. This makes the side effects stronger.

Alcohol can reduce the ability to get an erection. To fully utilize the effect of Levitra, it is therefore discouraged to consume alcohol before taking Levitra.

What are the possible side effects of Levitra?

Like any other medicine, Levitra can have side effects. The most common side effect of Levitra is a headache (in 10 to 30 out of 100 people). To a lesser extent, it happens that people become nauseous, get abdominal pain or a stuffy nose. In very limited cases, one can experience back or muscle pain, a dry mouth or skin rash. Read the package leaflet carefully for the full side effects.