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Vardenafil HCL (Levitra)

 

Vardenafil HCL (generic Levitra) Review

brand name: Levitra
generic name: Vardenafil

What is vardenafil?

Vardenafil relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body.

Vardenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Vardenafil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What does my medication look like?

Vardenafil (Levitra) is available with a prescription under the brand name Levitra. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Levitra 20 mg-orange, round, film-coated tablets
• Levitra 10 mg-orange, round, film-coated tablets
• Levitra 5 mg-orange, round, film-coated tablets
• Levitra 2.5 mg-orange, round, film-coated tablets

• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, allergic reactions, drug interactions, warnings, precautions, directions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
• Remember, never share your medicines with others, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.02. Revision Date: 7/10/06 3:45:53 PM.

Recommended dosage

ADULT MALES

Doses range from 5 milligrams to 20 milligrams, depending on the drug's effect. The recommended starting dose is 10 milligrams for most people. However, if you're 65 or older, the doctor may start you at 5 milligrams.

If you have moderate liver impairment, the recommended starting dose is 5 milligrams, not to exceed a daily dose of 10 milligrams. If your liver problems are mild, no dosage adjustment is required.

Take Levitra only before sexual activity. The manufacturer recommends a maximum of one dose per day. However, ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), indinavir (Crixivan), including erythromycin, your doctor may need to lower the dose if you're taking certain drugs that affect the liver, and ritonavir (Norvir).

Do NOT use Vardenafil if:

you are taking nitrates (eg, amyl nitrate, or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• you have been advised by your doctor to avoid sexual activity because of heart problems
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Vardenafil
• you use certain recreational drugs called "poppers" (eg, low blood pressure, severe heart failure), unstable angina, retinitis pigmentosa)
• you have certain heart problems (eg, or life-threatening irregular heartbeat within the past 6 months
• you have severe liver problems or severe kidney problems that require dialysis
• you have certain hereditary degenerative eye problems (eg, stroke, amiodarone)
• you have had a heart attack, quinidine, or certain antiarrhythmics (eg, nitroprusside, ointment), patch, capsule, tablet, nitroglycerin) in any form (eg, isosorbide, butyl nitrate)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Vardenafil (Levitra)

Be sure to check with your doctor about the medications that should never be taken with Levitra, Isordil, and isosorbide pills (Dilatrate-SR, Nitrostat), nitroglycerin pills (Nitro-Bid, Nitrol), nitroglycerin ointment (Nitro-Bid, Transderm-Nitro), such as including:

Alpha-blocking drugs prescribed for high blood pressure or prostate problems, including doxazosin (Cardura), tamsulosin (Flomax), terazosin (Hytrin), prazosin (Minipress), and alfuzosin (Uroxatral)
Nitrate-based drugs prescribed for chest pain, nitroglycerin patches (Nitro-Dur, Sorbitrate)
Street drugs known as "poppers," including amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate

If Levitra is taken with certain other drugs, decreased, the effects of either could be increased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Levitra with the following:

Other impotence drugs including alprostadil (Caverject), Ery-Tab, and tadalafil (Cialis)
Amiodarone (Pacerone)
Erythromycin (E-Mycin, sildenafil (Viagra), PCE)
Indinavir (Crixivan)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Nifedipine (Procardia)
Procainamide (Procanbid)
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Ritonavir (Norvir)
Sotalol (Betapace)

How to use Vardenafil (Levitra) :

Use Vardenafil (Levitra) as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Vardenafil (Levitra) . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Vardenafil by mouth with or without food.
• Take Vardenafil (Levitra) about 1 hour before sexual activity.
• Do not take Vardenafil more often than once daily, or as directed by your doctor.
• If you miss a dose of Vardenafil (Levitra) and you still intend to engage in sexual activity, take it as soon as you remember. Continue to take it as directed by your doctor.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Vardenafil (Levitra) .