How does it work?

Levitra tablets contain the active ingredient vardenafil, which is a medicine used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (impotence). Vardenafil is called a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, and works by preventing the action of a chemical in the body called phosphodiesterase type 5.

An erection is produced via a complex chain of events, involving signals from the nervous system and the release of chemical messengers within the tissues of the penis. One of these chemical messengers is called cyclic GMP.

Cyclic GMP causes the blood vessels in the penis to widen by relaxing a thin layer of muscle found in the blood vessel walls. This allows more blood to enter the penis, which ultimately results in the penis becoming rigid and erect.

Cyclic GMP is normally broken down by another chemical in the body called phosphodiesterase type 5. Vardenafil works by preventing the action of phosphodiesterase type 5, thus stopping the breakdown of cyclic GMP. This means that the blood vessels are kept dilated for longer, improving blood flow to the penis and maintaining an erection.

As vardenafil enhances the actions of the chemical messengers responsible for producing an erection, it will only work once these messengers are present. This means that sexual stimulation is required for it to produce and maintain an erection. The dose should be taken approximately 25 minutes to one hour before intended intercourse, and it may produce an erection in response to sexual stimulation up to five hours after taking the dose.

What is it used for?

• Impotence (erectile dysfunction)
  
  

• This medicine may be taken with or without food, but its onset of action may be delayed if it is taken with a meal high in fat.
  
  
• Unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you otherwise, you should avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, as it may increase the level of this medicine in your blood and hence increase the risk of side effects.
  
  
• If your erection lasts longer than 4 hours (priapism), consult a doctor immediately. Treatment of this condition should not be delayed more than 6 hours, as this can cause damage to the erectile tissue in the penis and irreversible erectile dysfunction.
  
  
• This medicine may cause dizziness and visual disturbances. You should make sure you are aware of your reactions to this medicine before driving or operating machinery.
  
  
• This medicine should not be taken more than once a day.
  
  

• Elderly men
  
  
• Disease involving the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease)
  
  
• Obstruction of blood flow out of the heart, eg due to narrowing of the aorta (aortic stenosis)
  
  
• Abnormal heart rhythm seen on the heart monitoring trace (ECG) as a 'prolonged QT interval'
  
  
• Low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia)
  
  
• Bleeding disorders, eg haemophilia
  
  
• Active peptic ulcer
  
  
• Physical abnormality of the penis, such as severe curvature, scarring or Peyronie's disease
  
  
• Conditions such as sickle cell disease, bone cancer or leukaemia in which there is an increased risk of prolonged erections (priapism)
  
  
• Decreased kidney function
  
  
• Decreased liver function
  
  

• Women
  
  
• Children or adolescents under 18 years of age
  
  
• Conditions in which sexual activity is not advisable, for example severe heart disorders
  
  
• Angina not well controlled by medical treatment (unstable angina)
  
  
• People who have had a heart attack in the last six months
  
  
• People who have had a stroke in the last six months
  
  
• Severe heart failure
  
  
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  
  
• Hereditary degeneration of the back of the eyeball (retina), such as retinitis pigmentosa
  
  
• Severe kidney failure requiring dialysis
  
  
• Severely decreased liver function
  
  
• People taking any form of nitrate medications, eg glyceryl trinitrate
  
  
• People taking protease inhibitors to treat HIV infection, eg ritonavir, indinavir.
  
  
• This medicine is not recommended for people who have ever experienced an eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This condition causes a sudden, partial decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes due to damage to the optic nerve. It can be temporary or permanent. Talk to your doctor if you have ever experienced this.
  
  

• Headache
  
  
• Flushing
  
  
• Dizziness
  
  
• Inflammation of the lining of the nose (rhinitis) causing a blocked or runny nose
  
  
• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
  
  
• Nausea
  
  
• Visual disturbances, such as blurred vision, blue/green tinge to vision, watery eyes
  
  
• Sleepiness
  
  
• Increased heart rate
  
  
• Awareness of your heart beat (palpitations)
  
  
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
  
  
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  
  
• Fainting (syncope)
  
  
• Shortness of breath
  
  
• Nosebleeds
  
  
• Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity)
  
  
• Pain or increased tension in the muscles
  
  
• Prolonged or painful erections
  
  
• Anxiety
  
  
• Chest pain
  
  

• glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, used for angina or heart failure
  
  
• nicorandil
  
  
• amyl nitrate (also known as 'poppers').
  
  

• itraconazole (forms taken by mouth)
  
  
• ketoconazole (forms taken by mouth).
  
  

• alfuzosin
  
  
• doxazosin
  
  
• indoramin
  
  
• prazosin
  
  
• terazosin.
  
  

• amiodarone
  
  
• procainamide
  
  
• quinidine
  
  
• sotalol.
  
  

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The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor

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