Overview section
Levitra is a brand name for vardenafil, a medication in the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor class. It works by enhancing blood flow to the penis when sexual stimulation occurs, helping some men with erectile dysfunction (ED) achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity.
- Live part: vardenafil
- Main therapeutic use: erectile dysfunction management for adult men
- Common pack format discussed here: twenty milligrams per tablet in a bottle
For immediate safety concerns jump to Be advised and contraindication or to Drug interaction alerts.
Who is this intended for, exactly?
Levitra is prescribed for adult men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, which means difficulty getting or keeping an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. It is not licensed for use in women or in children under 18 years.
How to take a poll it gracefully
Keep to the instructions your prescriber provided. Levitra can usually be taken with food or on an empty stomach, but large or fatty meals may delay onset.
- What time should you take it: typically taken as needed, about 60 minutes before sexual activity.
- Maximum frequency: do not use more than one dose in any 24-hour period.
- Onset and requirement: the tablet facilitates an erection only in the presence of sexual stimulation; it is not an aphrodisiac.
- Available strength here: 20 mg. Clinicians may prescribe lower or higher doses depending on effectiveness and incidental effects.
If you have questions about dosing with other medicines, see Interacting drug effects.
Safety guardrails
Before you press on Levitra, tell your doctor about current or past medical conditions and all medicines you take. Certain health problems can affect whether vardenafil is suitable or require system monitoring:
- Diseases of the heart and vessels, prior heart attack or stroke, heart failure, irregular heart rhythms or known long QT syndrome in you or close relatives.
- Elevated blood pressure, or low blood pressure.
- Epileptic disorders.
- Blood disorders such as sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma, or leukaemia, and bleeding tendencies.
- Current or previous peptic ulcer disease.
- Hearing or vision problems, episodes of sudden vision loss, or inherited retinal disorders like retinitis pigmentosa.
- Penile anatomical problems such as Peyronie - see your prescriber before use.
- Liver or kidney health impairment, including dialysis.
- The doctor recommends avoiding sexual activity because it is not safe for you.
If new symptoms develop after starting therapyin review Temporary effects and seek medical help when it becomes necessary.
Situations in which this treatment is not advised
- Known hypersensitivity to vardenafil or any ingredient in the product.
- Concurrent use of organic nitrates or nitric oxide donors used for angina or recreational use (for example glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, amyl nitrite). Combining these with vardenafil can cause a dangerous fall in blood pressure.
- Use with soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators such as riociguat (used in some patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension).
For a fuller list of interacting medicines see Medication factors that pose risks in interplay between parties.
Hidden effects and critical alerts of potential danger
Stop taking Levitra and obtain emergency medical assistance if you experience any of the following serious symptoms:
- Chest pain, severe pressure or discomfort spreading to the jaw, neck or shoulder, sweating or nausea (possible heart attack).
- Sudden decrease or loss of vision.
- Painful erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism) which can cause permanent damage if not treated promptly.
Common, less severe effects reported include:
- Flushing process or warmth in the face and chest.
- Nasal stuffiness or a runny nose, sinus discomfort.
- Pain of the head with unsteadiness.
- Digestive discomfort or indigestion.
- Pain in the back.
If you find acute side effects troublesome or persistent, contact your healthcare provider for advice.
Drug interpersonal engagement checks
Avoid taking Levitra together with other oral PDE5 inhibitors. Do not use the following medicines on the same day:
- Sildenafil products (for example Viagra and generics).
- Tadalafil products (for example Cialis and generics).
- Avanafil, brand name Spedra.
Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all medications you take. Notable interacting groups include:
- Certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin and erythromycin.
- Azole antifungal agents like ketoconazole or itraconazole.
- Alpha-blockers prescribed for high blood pressure or prostate symptoms (for example tamsulosin, doxazosin).
- Some antiarrhythmic drugs (for example amiodarone, sotalol).
- Antiretroviral drugs and pharmacokinetic boosters (for example ritonavir, cobicistat, atazanavir).
Some combinations are strictly contraindicated. Review Risk mitigation steps and reasons to avoid this medication and discuss more options alongside your clinician.
Missed dose
Levitra is taken as required for sexual activity rather than on a regular schedule. If you miss a planned dose, do not double up later. Keep at least 24 hours between doses.
Excessive dose of medication
If you suspect an overdosed on pills seek emergency medical attention immediately. Take the medicine container or prescription information with you if possible so clinicians can see the strength and amount taken.
Storage unit
- Keep medicine at room temperature, away from excessive heat and moisture.
- Put it somewhere it is inaccessible to children and pets and not visible.
Holistic treatment options and related medicines
If vardenafil is not suitable or effective, other options exist including different oral PDE5 inhibitors and non-oral therapies. Discuss these choices and any situations where this drug is unsafe in consultation with your clinician. See more Prices for comparative cost key information.
Other PDE5 inhibitors for oral use
- Sildenafil (Viagra and its generics): commonly available; tends to be among the least expensive options per tablet in some UK outlets.
- Tadalafil (Cialis and generics): noted for a longer duration of action and also available as a daily low-dose tablet for some users.
- Avanafil also marketed as Spedra: may act faster for some men and has a shorter overall effect than tadalafil.
Non-oral options
- Alprostadil (injection formulations such as Caverject or urethral suppositories like MUSE): works differently and can be used when PDE5 inhibitors are not appropriate.
- Penile vacuum therapy devices: mechanical aids available by prescription and over the counter.
- Psychosexual therapy and lifestyle changes: addressing factors such as stress, smoking, alcohol use, and untreated medical conditions can improve outcomes.
Regular consumer prices in the United Kingdom
The figures below are indicative private-market ranges in GBP. Prices vary by pharmacy, brand, pack size and whether a generic is used. NHS prescription arrangements are separate and vary between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Levitra (vardenafil brand) 20 mg: approximately 8 to 12 pounds per tablet.
- Generic vardenafil 10-20 mg: roughly 2 to 5 pounds per tablet.
- Sildenafil generics (25-100 mg): around 0.50 to 3 pounds per tablet depending on strength and brand.
- Tadalafil generics (5-20 mg): typically about 0.60 to 3 pounds per tablet; daily dosing changes per-dose economics.
- Avanafil, brand name Spedra 50-200 mg: commonly 4 to 8 pounds per tablet.
- Alprostadil injections or suppositories: often 5 to 10 pounds per dose depending on product and device.
These prices are rough guides to aid comparison. Actual cost may be affected by prescription type, pack size, and whether you use an NHS prescription service or buy privately. Consistently verify before acting. current prices with your pharmacy.
UK regulatory and supply information
- Legal position: vardenafil (Levitra) is classified as a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) in the United Kingdom.
- Supply rules: it must be dispensed by a UK-registered pharmacy on a valid prescription issued by an appropriate prescriber. Online services must carry out a clinical assessment and dispense through a registered UK pharmacy.
- Check registration: confirm a pharmacy or pharmacist on the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) online register before buying medicines online.
- Importation risk: purchasing prescription medicines from overseas without a valid prescription can breach UK industry regulations and products from unregulated sources may be seized.
- Age and safety: intended for adult use only. Do not share prescription medicines. If you experience new cardiac symptoms during sexual activity, stop and seek urgent help.
- Packaging: whether supplied in a bottle or blister pack does not change the legal requirements for prescription supply.
For your safety, do not use Levitra with nitrates. See Contrasymptoms to use in these settings and Drug social interaction effects further details can be found below.
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