Description
What is Levitra?
Levitra is a prescription drug that is taken by men who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence. It increases blood flow to the penis, which helps maintain an erection following sexual stimulation.
Levitra is part of a group of medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. PDE5 Inhibitors work by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide (NO), which is a natural chemical produced by the body that relaxes the walls of blood vessels in the penis. This allows more blood to flow into the penis during sexual stimulation, improving a man’s ability to get and maintain an erection during intercourse.
The generic alternative of Levitra is called Vardenafil. Generic medications are cheaper alternatives to brand name drugs, with the same active ingredient, safety and efficacy. Both Levitra and Vardenafil are oral medications that can be taken with or without food, although keep in mind that taking it after a high-fat meal may reduce the onset of effect. They both come in two formulations: a 10 mg pill and a 20 mg pill. Additionally, the 10 mg pill can be split in half to make a 5 mg dose. The majority of men take a 10 mg dose, as needed. This may be increased to 20 mg or decreased to 5 mg depending on the observed side effects and efficacy. For optimal results, you should take your Levitra (Vardenafil) pill 30 to 60 minutes prior to sexual activity.
You may be wondering, how long does Levitra last? Well, the results may vary from person to person. For most men, it will start to work within 60 minutes and these effects can last for up to 4 hours or more. Because of the prolonged effects, it is important not to take Levitra or Vardenafil more than once per day. You should always follow the medical advice and instructions provided by your physician. If you are unhappy with the results, talk to your doctor! Never increase your dose without consulting them first.
What is Levitra used for?
Levitra and Vardenafil are primarily used to treat men with Erectile Dysfunction (ED), a common condition that affects at least 18 million men in the United States.
Men with erectile dysfunction have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection that is firm enough for sexual activity. This may occur due to a variety of physical and/or psychological factors. Male sexual arousal is very complex, and disturbances in emotions, nerves, muscles, hormones or blood vessels can cause problems. For many people, ED is at least partially caused by an underlying physical condition, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, or diabetes. The reason for this is that most of these conditions block or reduce blood flow to the penis, which reduces a man’s ability to get an erection. Thankfully, Levitra and Vardenafil work to increase blood flow to the penis, reversing these underlying causes of the ED. Many men taking these medications report improvements not only in their sex lives, but also in their confidence, mood, psychological wellbeing and overall relationships.
What you should know before taking Levitra.
If you have any preexisting medical conditions, you should make your doctor aware of these before starting Levitra, generic or brand-name drug. This is particularly true if you have a heart condition, liver or kidney disease, low blood pressure (hypotension), or uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also important that you inform your physician and pharmacist about any other medications that you take, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, as well as any herbal supplements, because these can interact with Vardenafil. Alpha-blockers and any drug that contains nitrates should be avoided while taking Levitra, as well as some antibiotics and antiviral medications.
Eating grapefruits or drinking grapefruit juice can cause unwanted side effects of Levitra and should also be avoided.
As with any prescription drug, there are potential side effects associated with taking Levitra or Vardenafil. Please take note of the following more common side effects…
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Flushing or redness in your face, neck, or chest
If you experience any of the following more serious side effects, seek medical attention right away: sudden decrease or loss of hearing, changes in your vision, or seizures. Additionally, if your erection lasts longer than 4 hours, get emergency medical help immediately.
Many men choose Levitra to help treat their ED, but there are also many other ED medications available. While these are all PDE5 inhibitors (meaning they act in similar ways), they are all unique and each person will react slightly differently to each one. This is why when choosing between Levitra vs. Cialis vs. Viagra, be sure to talk to your doctor to see which one is right for you.