Levitra Side Effects

Levitra can cause rare but severe, adverse reactions. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms:

Extreme drops in blood pressure causing faintness, passing out or even a heart attack or stroke
An erection lasting for more than 4 hours, which may cause damage to your penis due to a disease called Priapism
Changes in vision including sudden loss of sight, blurriness, trouble seeing at night, or difficulty telling colors apart. If untreated these vision impairments may become permanent
Decrease in hearing or a ringing in ears
Allergic reaction with symptoms such as hives, swelling of the throat, face, eyes, tongue, throat, hands and feet, and ankles or lower legs
Hoarseness in voice or suppressed breathing
Symptoms of an overdose include blurred vision and back or muscle aches

More common side effects caused by Levitra include:

Head pain or aching
Dizziness
Stomach aches and heartburn
Reddening of the face
Nasal congestion or runny nose

Warnings & Recalls for Levitra

As of November 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reported several cases of sudden loss of vision or hearing in patients taking Levitra. Follow-ups on these patients have been difficult to track; the FDA is still unsure whether these serious side effects are caused by the medicine, or the patient's condition of erectile dysfunction. Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation has modified the label on Levitra to warn patients of these possible risks.Do not take Levitra if you:

Are taking nitrates used to control chest aching or angina, or if you are taking "poppers" such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate. Levitra in combination with these drugs may cause extremely low blood pressure. If you are not sure if you have taken or are taking nitrates, ask your doctor before using Levitra.
Take other erectile dysfunction medications such as Cialis or Viagra.
Are a female, especially if you are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breast-feeding. If you are a woman and have taken Levitra, contact your doctor immediately.
Have heart disease, as sexual activity may put a strain on your hearts ability to function

WARNING: Do not take Levitra while drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit; this may cause an intensification of symptoms or cause you to faint. If you have coronary artery disease, this combination may increase your chance for a heart attack.

Levitra Treatment and Use

Levitra | Vardenafil Hydrochloride is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor tablet manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation implemented to treat erectile dysfunction (the inability to keep an erection) in men.

This medication does not cure erectile dysfunction or increase sexual desire and does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

How Does Levitra Work?

Levitra works by preventing phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) in the body from breaking down chemicals which may cause erections. Blocking PDE5 relaxes muscles in the penis, allowing more blood and other erection-causing molecules to flow into the penis during sexual activity, resulting in an erection. Levitra works only with sexual stimilation.

Levitra Dosage Information

Levitra is taken orally as a tablet or a dissolving tablet available in 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, and 20 mg. Ask your doctor which amount is right for you, as dosage varies among patients. This medication may be taken as necessary with or without food one hour before sexual activity.

Levitra should not be taken more than once every 24 hours. Healthcare professionals may suggest waiting a period of 72 hours before taking another dose for some patients.

Before taking Levitra, let your doctor know if you:

Are having surgery, including dental procedures
Are taking or have been taking any herbal products such as St. Johns wort, commonly used to treat depression
Take any other prescription medicines or vitamins
Have heart disease or high/low blood pressure
Smoke or have a history of smoking
Have ever had an erection lasting over 4 hours
Have a bleeding disorder or stomach ulcers
Have kidney problems
Have Peyronie’s disease or a deformed penis

How Do Levitra and Grapefruit Interact?

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice interfere with intestinal enzyme cytochrome
P450 isoform CYP3A4, which may lead to an increase in drug levels in the blood making Levitra toxic to the body. Consuming any form of grapefruit while taking Levitra may be extremely hazardous to your health. See our “Warnings” tab for more information.

Other Names for Levitra

Brand name: Levitra

Generic name: Vardenafil Hydrochloride