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What is Levitra
 Levitra
relaxes muscles within the penis. This allows increased blood
flow into the penis which is necessary to achieve and maintain
an erection.
Levitra
is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Levitra
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Levitra
Do not take Levitra if you are taking any of the
following medicines:
- a nitrate such as nitroglycerin
(Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran,
Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate
(Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate
(Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), and others;
- a recreational
drug such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers");
or
- an alpha blocker such as doxazosin (Cardura),
guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin),
alfuzosin (Uroxatral), tamsulosin (Flomax), and others.
Taking Levitra with any of these medications may
cause very low blood pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness,
fainting, stroke, or heart attack
Contact your doctor
or seek emergency medical attention for any erection that
lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage
the penis.
Refrain from further sexual activity and
notify your doctor it you develop dizziness, nausea, or
angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling
in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual activity.
Do not take Levitra more than once a day. In some
cases, use of Levitra may be restricted to once every 72
hours (3 days). Follow your doctor's instructions.
What you should find out before taking
Levitra
Do not take Levitra if you are taking any of the
following medicines:
- a nitrate such as nitroglycerin
(Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran,
Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate
(Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate
(Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), and others;
- a recreational
drug such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers");
or
- an alpha blocker such as doxazosin (Cardura),
guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin),
alfuzosin (Uroxatral), tamsulosin (Flomax), and others.
Taking Levitra with any of these medications may
cause very low blood pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness,
fainting, stroke, or heart attack
Before taking Levitra,
tell your doctor if you
- currently have or have
ever had a heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeats, angina
(chest pain), or congestive heart failure;
- have
high or low blood pressure;
- have a personal or
family history of a rare heart condition known as prolongation
of the QT interval (long QT syndrome);
- have liver
problems;
- have kidney problems;
- have ever
had blood problems, including sickle cell anemia, multiple
myeloma, or leukemia;
- have a bleeding or blood
clotting disorder;
- have a stomach ulcer;
-
a family history of degenerative eye disease (e.g., retinitis
pigmentosa); or
- have a physical deformity of the
penis such as Peyronie's disease.
You may not be
able to take Levitra, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of
the conditions listed above.
Although Levitra is
not indicated for use by women, it is in the FDA pregnancy
category B. This means that Levitra is not expected to be
harmful to an unborn baby. Levitra should not be taken by
women.
It is not known whether Levitra passes into
breast milk. Levitra should not be taken by women.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely
to experience side effects from Levitra. Your doctor may
prescribe a lower dose of the medication.
How should take Levitra Take Levitra exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Levitra can be taken
with or without food.
Levitra is usually taken when
needed. Generally, it is taken about 1 hour before sexual
activity. The medication can help achieve an erection when
sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just
by taking a pill. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Levitra should not be taken with grapefruit or grapefruit
juice. Levitra can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit
juice, and the interaction may have dangerous effects. You
should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice
with your doctor.
Do not take Levitra more than once
a day. In some cases, use of Levitra may be restricted to
once every 72 hours (3 days). Follow your doctor's instructions.
If you develop dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain,
tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest,
arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual activity, refrain from
further sexual activity and notify your doctor.
Contact
your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any
erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection
can damage the penis.
Store this medication at room
temperature away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Levitra is used as needed, so you are not likely
to miss a dose.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected.
Symptoms of a Levitra overdose are not
known, but are likely to include chest pain, back pain,
dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, abnormal vision, and
swelling of the ankles or legs.
Avoid while taking Levitra Do not take any other drug used to treat impotence,
such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine
(Yocon, Yodoxin, others), without first talking to your
doctor.
Levitra should not be taken with grapefruit
or grapefruit juice. Levitra can interact with grapefruit
and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous
effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit
juice with your doctor.
Possible side effects of Levitra If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Levitra and seek emergency medical
attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- chest pain or an irregular heartbeats;
-
swelling of the ankles or legs;
- shortness of breath;
- prolonged or severe dizziness;
- fainting;
- a prolonged (lasting longer than 4 hours) or painful
erection;
- dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness,
discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck,
or jaw); or
- back pain.
Other, less serious
side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take
Levitra and talk to your doctor if you experience
-
flushing;
- mild dizziness;
- headache;
-
nasal congestion;
- stomach upset;
- sensitivity
of the eyes to light; or
- temporary blue tint in
vision or other vision abnormalities.
Side effects
other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Levitra Do not take Levitra if you are taking any of the
following medicines:
- a nitrate such as nitroglycerin
(Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran,
Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate
(Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate
(Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), and others;
- a recreational
drug such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers");
or
- an alpha blocker such as doxazosin (Cardura),
guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin),
alfuzosin (Uroxatral), tamsulosin (Flomax), and others.
Taking Levitra with any of these medications may
cause very low blood pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness,
fainting, stroke, or heart attack
Before taking Levitra,
tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following
medications:
- any other drug used to treat impotence,
such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine
(Yocon, Yodoxin, others);
- the antibiotic drug erythromycin
(E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, others);
- an antifungal
medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole
(Nizoral);
- a medication used to treat irregular
heartbeats such as quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release),
procainamide (Procan SR, Procanbid, Pronestyl), amiodarone
(Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace, Sorine); or
- the HIV medications indinavir (Crixivan) or ritonavir
(Norvir).
You may not be able to take Levitra, or
you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring
during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines
listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Levitra
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,
including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products. |
