Vardenafil HCL (
Levitra®) is a prescription medication used for treating problems with obtaining or maintaining an erection.
Vardenafil is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals. It is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline and Schering-Plough.
Vardenafil has been licensed to treat
erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction (
ED), also known as
impotence, can be a total inability to achieve an erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. Essentially, erectile dysfunction is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
Vardenafil works by blocking a chemical that reverses an erection by causing blood to flow out of the penis. More blood in the penis means an improved erection.
The effects of vardenafil can include:
- Achieving and maintaining an erection during sexual activity
- Having a harder erection during sexual activity
- Experiencing improved frequency of orgasms
- Having increased satisfaction and enjoyment of intercourse.
In previous clinical studies, up to 80 percent of men reported that the drug improved their erections. Vardenafil was also shown to be effective in men with various health problems and medical conditions
(see Effects of Levitra).
When Does It Start Working and How Long Does It Last?
The time it takes for vardenafil to start working will vary, depending on the individual. In clinical studies, the drug began to work in about one hour. How long it continues to work will also depend on the individual. In most cases, vardenafil can work for up to four hours.
When and How Do I Take Vardenafil?
Here are some general considerations for when and how to take vardenafil:
- The medication comes in tablet form. It is taken as needed, usually one hour before sexual activity. However, you should not take vardenafil more than once in a day.
- While it is recommended that you take your dose with a glass of water, you may take it with or without food. Taking vardenafil with a high-fat meal may decrease the amount of medication in the blood.
- For vardenafil to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. The medication will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of vardenafil your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with vardenafil. However, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the drug well. If side effects do occur, they are usually minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
The most common side effects include:
Also, vardenafil has been linked to rare cases of a condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This condition can lead to sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. If you experience any loss of vision while taking this medication, contact your healthcare provider immediately
(see Levitra and Blindness).
(Click Side Effects of Vardenafil to learn more, including other serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
Prior to taking vardenafil, let your healthcare provider know if you have:
- Heart disease
- Liver disease or liver failure
- Kidney disease requiring dialysis
- A history of a heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening arrhythmia within the past six months
- Retinitis pigmentosa, which is a rare eye problem
- A history of severe vision loss, including NAION
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Stomach ulcers
- Bleeding problems
- Sickle cell anemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Leukemia
- A history of priapism, which is a painful erection lasting longer than six hours
- Any condition that causes a penis deformation, such as angulation, Peyronie's disease, or cavernosal fibrosis
- Any allergies
- A rare heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval (long QT syndrome); also tell your healthcare provider if anyone in your family has this condition.
It is also important to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines,
antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Who Should Not Take Vardenafil?
You should not take vardenafil if:
- You are allergic to vardenafil, Levitra, or any of the inactive components used to make the medication. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist has a list of the inactive ingredients.
- You are taking a nitrate for angina (chest pain).
What If I Take an Overdose?
There have been a limited number of cases in which people have overdosed on vardenafil. In these cases, side effects were similar to those seen at lower doses; these side effects included reversible
back pain, muscle pain, or problems with vision. If you happen to take an overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Vardenafil Be Stored?
Vardenafil should be stored at room temperature. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
Several strengths of vardenafil are available, including:
- Vardenafil 2.5 mg
- Vardenafil 5 mg
- Vardenafil 10 mg
- Vardenafil 20 mg.
Currently, no generic versions of vardenafil are available for sale
(see Generic Vardenafil).
