Levitra

Levitra is used to treat male sexual function problems. The drug contains vardenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor.

Indications

The drug is recommended for use in erectile dysfunction. It is used in the following cases:

• the complete absence of erection;
• an insufficient erection (when the penis hardens but its hardness is not enough for insertion into the vagina);
• when a man his success in bed due to a change in a sexual partner or after a long break in sexual life.

The main thing is that you are at least18 years old.

How does it work?

Do not expect a hard and lasting erection to spontaneously occur exactly half an hour after taking the pill. The drug works in accordance with natural physiological processes. After swallowing the pill, some men are ready for sexual intercourse after 30 minutes, but in some cases, Levitra gives 100% result in an hour after taking it. If by this time a man is in a state of sexual arousal, he has an emotional mood for sexual intercourse. The result is the release of large amounts of nitric oxide and relaxation of the smooth muscles of the corpora cavernosa of the penis. Both cavernous bodies of the penis are filled with blood as much as possible, while the openings of the veins that carry blood away from the penis are pinched. This ensures a long-lasting erection.

After sexual intercourse, the penis gradually relaxes. The drug lasts for 8 to 12 hours, so some men may have a repetition of intercourse after a few hours without taking the pill again.

Method of administration and dosage

• The tablets are taken orally whole, regardless of food at any time of the day – in the morning (before lunch), after lunch or in the evening;
• The initial dose is 10 mg, the recommended maximum possible dose is 20 mg;
• The highest dose (20 mg) is usually used by men with diabetes or prostatectomy, as the initial dose will be ineffective in such cases;
• Elderly patients (over 60 years old) need half of the starting dosage – 5 mg;
• Levitra is not combined with grapefruit and juice – their properties reduce the effectiveness of active ingredients;
• If you have kidney and liver pathologies or are taking ketoconazole, erythromycin and analogs, the dose is selected individually for each patient, the use is permissible only under constant medical supervision.

The dosage regimen does not need correction in case of moderate or mildly expressed impaired renal function, drug intake by elderly patients, minor liver failure.

Patients with moderate hepatic impairment should start taking 5 mg of vardenafil per day, then gradually increase the dose to 10 and 20 mg, taking into account the effectiveness and tolerability of the drug.

Contraindications

The drug is well tolerated by all age groups of male patients.

According to the results of observations and laboratory clinical studies, there are individual contraindications:

• diseases of the heart and vascular system with the simultaneous use of drugs containing nitrates;
• congenital dystrophy and pathological changes in the eye retina;
• renal and hepatic impairment;
• predisposition to bleeding;
• stomach ulcer during an exacerbation;
• persons with a history (medical history) of a heart attack, stroke;
• arrhythmias of various origins, including rest and stress angina;
• simultaneous intake of alcoholic beverages;
• priapism and deformation of the penis;
• age under 18 years;
• individual intolerance to the main active ingredient.

Side effects

The use of 40 mg of Levitra twice a day can cause an overdose. It is manifested by severe lumbar pain without toxic effects on the nervous and muscular system.

Possible adverse reactions:

• headache, fainting, dizziness, anxiety, drowsiness;
• myocardial ischemia, face flushing (redness, a sensation of heat), angina pectoris, increased or decreased pressure, orthostatic hypotension,
• tachyarrhythmia, tachycardia;
• vasodilation;
• changes in the activity of liver enzymes, dyspepsia, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea;
• laryngeal edema, rhinitis, rhinorrhea, shortness of breath, nosebleeds;
• blurred vision, increased lacrimation, conjunctivitis;
• photophobia;
• back pain, lower back, myalgia;
• deafness;
• an erection lasting for more than 4 hours (priapism);
• skin hypersensitivity, hyperemia.

Overdose

Overdose symptoms:

• headache, stomach and back pain;
• vertigo;
• feeling nauseous;
• soreness during erection;
• irritation of the nasal mucosa;
• sudden rush of blood to the cheeks and neck;
• increased sweating;
• sharp changes in blood pressure;
• attacks of tachycardia;
• edema;
• indigestion;
• decreased vision;
• nosebleeds;
• increased anxiety.

Subject to the recommended dosage, the course of drug treatment does not cause side effects.

If you think you have an overdose of vardenafil, seek immediate medical attention.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

The drug is not intended for use in women.

Interaction with other drugs

Levitra should be used taking into account possible drug interactions with other medicines. This is stated in the instructions for use:

• Therapeutic doses of Levitra can lengthen the QT interval, therefore, it is not prescribed for congenital lengthening of this interval or for concurrent administration of antiarrhythmic drugs (Procainamide, Sotalol, Quinidine, Amiodarone);
• The combination of vardenafil with other substances for the treatment of erectile dysfunction is not recommended;
  Ketoconazole, Indinavir, Itraconazole, Ritonavir, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin can reduce the clearance of the active component and increase its plasma concentration;
• The pharmacokinetic parameters of vardenafil are not affected by Cimetidine, Glibenclamide, Glyburide, Warfarin, Nifedipine, Digoxin, Maalox (antacid), Ranitidine, Heparin, Acetylsalicylic acid, diuretics, Metformin (hypoglycemic drug);
• Levitra can enhance the hypotensive effect of sublingual nitrates;
• The combination of the drug with alpha-blockers (Tamsulosin, Terazosin) leads to an increase in the development of arterial hypertension. Such combinations are allowed, but in a dose of Levitra no more than 5 mg, simultaneous administration is prohibited;
• The drug does not potentiate the hypotensive effect of ethanol;
• In high concentrations, vardenafil can enhance the antiplatelet effect of sodium nitroprusside (nitric oxide donor).

Special instructions

The drug should be used with caution in patients with congenital prolongation of the QT interval, with anatomical deformation of the penis (curvature, cavernous fibrosis, Peyronie’s disease), with diseases predisposing to priapism (sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia), severe liver dysfunction, end-stage kidney disease, arterial hypotension (systolic pressure at rest less than 90 mm Hg), recent stroke and myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, hereditary degenerative diseases of the retina (eg, retinitis pigmentosa), with a tendency to bleeding and with exacerbation peptic ulcer disease, aortic stenosis and idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis.

The drug is incompatible with alcoholic beverages. The use of Levitra and alcohol will not lead to the expected effect since alcohol reduces the effect of the drug.

To date, there is no reliable data on the compatibility of vardenafil and other drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.