Levitra: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Alternatives And More
Levitra is a pill for the treatment of ED (Erectile Dysfunction) in men. It has Vardenafil as the active ingredient. It can give a lasting erection for about 4 to 5 hours. The medicine is available in different strengths and dosages. It is effective in providing a great hard-on for intercourse.
In the following post, we will discuss the use of Levitra in ED, dosage instructions, side effects, alternatives, interactions, and things to consider.
What is the Use of Levitra for Erectile Dysfunction?
Levitra or Vardenafil treats ED or male impotence. It grants a satisfactory erection by keeping the penile organ hard for intercourse. The pill is a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor. It brings an erection by relaxing the soft tissue and corpus cavernosum. The medicine also increases blood flow to the male reproductive organ.
For a hard-on, sexual stimulation is necessary. The pill will only work properly if you feel aroused enough. It is not a magic pill, so you need to focus on sexual desire as well. The tablet also boosts cGMP enzyme production to keep the blood draining off from the organ quickly. Thus, you get a better erection for a longer duration.
Remember that Levitra does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy. For protection against these, use a condom. Speak with your doctor about the adequate time to take the medicine according to your health status.
What Are the Dosage Instructions for Levitra?
Levitra is available in the form of a tablet. You can swallow it with water, orally. You may take it with or without food at least 45 to 60 minutes before intercourse. Do not take the pill more than once a day or 24 hours. But if you have serious medical issues, then the doctor may reduce the dosage further.
Follow the Prescription
You must follow the instructions on the prescription label properly. If you do not understand any step, ask your doctor about it. It is important to take the tablet as per direction. Do not alter the dose by self. Similarly, do not overdose. But if you feel the medicine is not working accordingly, talk to your healthcare provider.
The healthcare provider will prescribe an average dose at first. He/she may increase or decrease the dose according to how well you respond to treatment. Do not chew, break, or grind the pill. This can reduce the efficacy of the medicine.
Storage Tips
Store the pills safely in their original packaging. Keep it away from moisture and heat. Also, store the pack away from pets and children. Do not share the pack with anyone else.
What Are the Side Effects of Levitra?
Here are a few common side effects of the ED pill. These may go away as your body gets used to the dosage and active ingredient in the medicine:
- Flushing
- Upset stomach
- Heartburn
- Headache
- Flu-like symptoms
- Runny or stuffy nose
In rare events, serious side effects may occur. In this case, you must call the doctor immediately. These effects include:
- Blurred vision, extreme dizziness, ringing in ears
- Sudden or severe vision loss
- Erection that remains for more than 4 hours
- Hoarseness, fainting, difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Sudden loss or decrease in hearing
- Hives, rash,
- Changes in colour vision
- Swelling of throat, eyes, feet, lower legs, face, lips, hands, etc
What Are the Alternatives to Levitra?
Like Levitra treats erectile dysfunction, other PDE5 inhibitors also do the same. These may contain different active ingredients, dosage strength, and work for different lengths of durations. Here are some of the alternatives to Vardenafil:
Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate)
Viagra is a Pfizer product. But it has several generic versions. The active ingredient causes an erection by dilating blood vessels. It helps to increase blood flow to the penile organ. The erection that occurs lasts for 4 to 6 hours. You must avoid grapefruit juice and nitrates with this medicine.
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Tadalafil (Cialis)
This is an oral tablet for ED treatment. Take it 30 minutes before intercourse. The erection that happens can last for up to 36 hours. The starting dose of the pill is 2.5mg to 10mg (milligrams). But as per your need and doctor’s analysis on health, the dosage may increase.
You can take only one pill after every 36 to 40 hours. You can take the medicine with or without food. Tadalafil is quite potent. So, do not take this medicine without consulting a doctor, if you have serious health issues.
Avanafil (Stendra)
Take this medicine 15 to 30 minutes before intercourse. The dosage should not exceed more than once a day. You may take the pill before or after a meal. The available strengths are 50mg, 100mg, and 200mg tablets.
Staxyn (Vardenafil)
Other than Levitra, its active ingredient is also present in Staxyn. This is also an ED medicine. You have to place the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve. Do not take the pill with water, or swallow it. Consume the medicine an hour before intimacy.
It is advisable to take the medicine without splitting or crushing it. You can take the pill with or without meals. But you must avoid liquids. Once a day, you may take 10mg of dosage, until recommended some other strength.
Which Are the Interactions to Levitra?
Let your doctor know if you are allergic to Vardenafil or other ingredients of the medication. Do not take the pill if recently you were on:
- Nitrates such as Isordil, Dilatrate-SR, in BiDil, and other dinitrates
- Also avoid it if you are on nitroglycerin (Nitro-Dur, Minitran, Nitrostat, Nitromist)
- Other interactions are isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket)
- Riociguat (Adempas), butyl nitrate, amyl nitrate
Tell your healthcare provider if you are on non-prescription or prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, vitamins, or herbal/over-the-counter products. Inform the doctor if you take any of the following:
- Doxazosin (Cardura)
- Antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan)
- Disopyramide (Norpace)
- Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
- Indinavir (Crixivan)
- Methadone (Dolophine, Methadose)
- Atazanavir (Reyataz, in Evotaz)
- Alpha-blockers such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral)
- Itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox)
- Ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra)
- Sotalol (Betapace, Sorine, Sotylize)
- Quinidine (in Nuedexta)
- Clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac)
- Haloperidol (Haldol)
- St. John’s wort
- Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Verelan)
- Erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin)
- Procainamide
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- HIV protease inhibitors
- Moxifloxacin (Avelox)
- Tamsulosin (Flomax, in Jalyn)
- Saquinavir (Invirase)
- Prazosin (Minipress) and terazosin
- Medicines for irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure
- Pimozide (Orap)
Which Things to Keep in Mind Before You Take Levitra?
Here are a few things to consider before using Vardenafil:
Precautions
Here are a few precautions to consider:
- Tell your doctor if you have an erection for more than 4 hours
- Irregular heartbeat, ulcers in intestine or stomach
- High or low blood pressure
- If you smoke or drink alcohol too often
- Blood cell issues such as sickle cell anaemia
- Diabetes, chest pain (angina), history of heart attack
- The affected shape of the penile organ due to cavernosal fibrosis, Peyronie’s disease, angulation
- Seizures, QT syndrome, retinitis pigmentosus
- Severe vision loss due to blood flow blockage in nerves of eyes
- Multiple myeloma, leukemia, liver/heart/kidney disease
Surgery
If you are going to undergo surgery, including a dental procedure, then let the doctor know that you are on Levitra pills. Also, if you are recovering from a serious disorder or surgery, then avoid strenuous activities like a rough intimate act.
Not for Women
Vardenafil is not for women even if they have sexual dysfunctions or disorders. It is only meant for adult men with erectile dysfunction. Breastfeeding and pregnant females must especially avoid this medication.
Abstinence
Sexual activities may pose a threat to your heart if you have serious cardiac issues. So, if you experience chest pain during intimacy, then check up with a doctor. If earlier a healthcare provider had asked to refrain from intercourse due to a heart problem, then follow the same.
Final Words
To get rid of erectile dysfunction, you can take Levitra pills. The medicine has a high success rate. If you follow the dosage instructions properly, you can get the best out of the product. Also, ensure you are aware of the precautions, interactions, storage tips, side effects, and other essentials.
You may also consider other alternatives to Vardenafil. But do not switch between brands without tapering off the dose of the earlier medicine. Speak with your doctor if you wish to go for any other ED medicine. Sometimes, a certain medicine may not suit a particular person.
In this case, the doctor may suggest a change. Remember to not use the pill for recreational activities. Also, do not overdose as it may lead to serious side effects. Do not mix the tablet with other ED medicines or recreational substances.
If the erection issue is because of behaviour, psychological issue, or a certain medicine, injury, then Vardenafil may not work for you. It only works if the cause behind ED is low blood circulation to the penile organ. Use Levitra according to the doctor’s recommendations. And you are bound to get a solution to erectile dysfunction.
May 12, 2021 Sam Bell
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