Levitra
Buy LevitraLevitra Information
Levitra is a prescription medicine taken by mouth for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.
Levitra is an oral therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This monohydrochloride salt of vardenafil is a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5).
Levitra Ingredients and Composition
How Does Levitra Work?
Penile erection is a hemodynamic process initiated by the relaxation of smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum and its associated arterioles. During sexual stimulation, nitric oxide is released from nerve endings and endothelial cells in the corpus cavernosum. Nitric oxide activates the enzyme guanylate cyclase resulting in increased synthesis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the smooth muscle cells of the corpus cavernosum. The cGMP in turn triggers smooth muscle relaxation, allowing increased blood flow into the penis, resulting in erection. The tissue concentration of cGMP is regulated by both the rates of synthesis and degradation via phosphodiesterases (PDEs). The most abundant PDE in the human corpus cavernosum is the cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5); therefore, the inhibition of PDE5 enhances erectile function by increasing the amount of cGMP. Because sexual stimulation is required to initiate the local release of nitric oxide, the inhibition of PDE5 has no effect in the absence of sexual stimulation.
In Summary
When a man is sexually stimulated, his body's normal physical response is to increase blood flow to his penis. This results in an erection. Levira helps increase blood flow to the penis and may help men with erective dysfunction get and keep an erection satisfactory for sexual activity. Once a man has completed sexual activity, blood flow to his penis decreases, and his erection goes away.
How To Take Levitra and Levitra Dosage and Administration
For most patients, the recommended starting dose of Levitra is 10 mg, taken orally approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity. The dose may be increased to a maximum recommended dose of 20 mg or decreased to 5 mg based on efficacy and side effects. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day. Levitra can be taken with or without food. Sexual stimulation is required for response to treatment.
Concomitant Medications (taking other medications with Levitra): The dosage of Levitra may require adjustment in patients receiving certain CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, indinavir, and erythromycin). For ritonavir, a single dose of 2.5 mg Levitra should not be exceeded in a 72-hour period. For indinavir, ketoconazole 400 mg daily, and itraconazole 400 mg daily, a single dose of 2.5 mg Levitrashould not be exceeded in a 24-hour period. For ketoconazole 200 mg daily, itraconazole 200 mg daily, and erythromycin, a single dose of 5 mg Levitra should not be exceeded in a 24-hour period.
If you suspect a Levitra Overdose
The maximum dose of Levitra for which human data are available is a single 120 mg dose administered to eight healthy male volunteers. The majority of these subjects experienced reversible back pain/myalgia and/or abnormal vision.
In cases of overdose, standard supportive measures should be taken as required. Renal dialysis is not expected to accelerate clearance because vardenafil is highly bound to plasma proteins and is not significantly eliminated in the urine.
Levitra Side Effects
Levitra Precautions and Contraindications
Levitra is only for men with ED. Levitra is not for women or children.
Levitra must be used only under a doctor's care.
Do not take Levitra if you:
- take any medicines called "nitrates". Nitrates are commonly used to treat angina. Angina is a symptom of heart disease and can cause pain in your chest, jaw, or down your arm.
- Medicines called nitrates include nitroglycerin that is found in tablets, sprays, ointments, pastes, or parches. Nitrates can also be found in other medicines such as isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate. Some recreational drugs called "poppers" also contain nitrates, such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate. Do not use Levitra if you are using these drugs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if any of your medicines are nitrates,
- take medicines called "alpha blockers." Alpha blockers are sometimes prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure. If Levitra is taken with alpha blockers, your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe level. You could get dizzy and faint.
- you have been told by your healthcare provider to not have sexual activity because of health problems. Sexual activity can put an extra strain on your heart, especially if your heart is already weak from a heart attack or heart disease.
- are allergic to Levitra or any of its ingredients. The active ingredient in Levitra is vardenafil. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients.
Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor about all your medical problems, including if you:
- have heart problems such as angina, hem failure, irregular heartbeats, or have
- had a heart attack. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to have sexual activity.
- have low blood pressure or have high blood pressure that is not controlled
- have had a stroke,
- or any family members have a rare heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval (long QT syndrome)
- have liver problems
- have kidney problems and require dialysis
- have retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic (runs in families) eye disease
- have stomach ulcers
- have a bleeding problem
- have a deformed penis shape or Peyronie's disease
- have had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours
- have blood cell problems such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia
Levitra Drug Interactions
Nitrates
Administration of Levitra with nitrates (either regularly and/or intermittently) and nitric oxide donors is contraindicated. Consistent with the effects of PDE5 inhibition on the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway, PDE5 inhibitors may potentiate the hypotensive effects of nitrates. A suitable time interval following Levitra dosing for the safe administration of nitrates or nitric oxide donors has not been determined.
Alpha Blockers
Because the co-administration of alpha-blockers and Levitra can produce hypotension, Levitra is contraindicated in patients taking alpha-blockers. These include Hytrin (terazosin), Flomax (tamsulosin), Cardura (doxazosin), Minipress (prazosin) or Uroxatral (alfuzosin).
Levitra Experiences and Results
In vitro studies have shown that vardenafil is a selective inhibitor of PDE5. The inhibitory effect of vardenafil is more selective on PDE5 than for other known phosphodiesterases (>15-fold relative to PDE6, >130-fold relative to PDE1, >300-fold relative to PDE11, and >1,000-fold relative to PDE2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, and 10).
Levitra Clinical Trials and Studies
Levitra and Women
Levitra is not indicated for use in women, newborns, or children. Vardenafil was secreted into the milk of lactating rats at concentrations approximately 10-fold greater than found in the plasma. Following a single oral dose of 3 mg/kg, 3.3% of the administered dose was excreted into the milk within 24 hours. It is not known if vardenafil is excreted in human breast milk.
Storing Levitra
Recommended Storage: Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F).
Additional Notes
Levitra does not:
- cure ED
- increase a man's sexual desire
- protect a man or his partner from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Speak to your doctor about ways to guard against sexually transmitted diseases.
- serve as a male form of birth control
