This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist.

Common Uses

Levitra is an oral drug for male impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction. It works by dilating blood vessels in the penis, allowing the inflow of blood needed for an erection.

How to Take

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.

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

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.

Warning and Precautions

If you have heart problems severe enough to make sexual activity a danger, you should avoid using Levitra. If you take Levitra and develop cardiac symptoms (for example, dizziness, nausea, and chest pain) during sexual activity, do not continue. Alert your doctor to the problem as soon as possible.

Because Levitra has not been studied in people with cardiovascular disease, it's best to avoid Levitra if you've recently had a stroke or heart failure, or if you've had a heart attack within the past 6 months. Be equally cautious if you have severe high or low blood pressure, heartbeat irregularities, or unstable angina (crushing heart pain that occurs at any time). If you develop angina after taking Levitra, seek medical attention immediately.

If you have severe kidney or liver problems, a bleeding disorder, stomach ulcer, or an inherited retinal disorder such as retinitis pigmentosa, use Levitra with caution. Its safety under these circumstances has not yet been studied.

Rare cases of prolonged and sometimes painful erections (known as priapism) have been reported with Levitra. If you develop an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, seek medical treatment immediately. Otherwise, permanent damage and impotence could result.

If you have a condition that might result in long-lasting erections, such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma (a disease of the bone marrow), or leukemia, use Levitra with caution. Also use caution if you have a genital problem or deformity such as Peyronie's disease.

Remember that Levitra offers no protection from transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include back or muscle pain; chest pain; fainting; prolonged erection; severe dizziness; severe or persistent vision changes.

Storage

Store Levitra at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Levitra out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Possible Side Effects

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: arm, back or jaw pain; blindness; blurred vision; chest pain or discomfort; chest tightness or heaviness; chills; cold sweats; confusion; decreased vision; difficult or labored breathing; difficulty swallowing; dizziness; dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from lying or sitting position; eye pain; fainting; fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse; headache; hives; itching; nausea; nervousness; pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back or neck; pounding in the ears; puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue; shortness of breath; skin rash; slow or fast heartbeat; sweating; tearing; tightness in chest; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; wheezing.

More Information

The information given above is a summary. Your pharmacist can provide more information about Levitra. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

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