Vardenafil Hydrochloride (Levitra®)
Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs.
Overdose/Missed Dose
The elimination half-life of vardenafil and M1 is about 4 to 5 hours with the use of the film-coated tablets. The elimination half-life of vardenafil is 4 to 6 hours and the elimination half-life of MI is 3 to 5 hours with the use of the orally disintegrating tablets. Affected Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoenzymes and drug transporters: CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein (P-gp)Vardenafil is primarily a substrate of CYP3A4. Concomitant use of vardenafil with moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors may require a reduction in vardenafil dosage to reduce the risk of adverse effects. In vitro data suggest that vardenafil may inhibit P-gp at therapeutic doses.
What is tadalafil (Cialis®)?
While concomitant use of vardenafil did not significantly increase plasma concentrations of digoxin (a P-gp substrate), the effect of vardenafil on plasma concentrations of P-gp substrates more sensitive than digoxin (e.g., dabigatran) is unknown. Oral film-coated tablets:Vardenafil is rapidly absorbed with absolute bioavailability of approximately 15%. In healthy volunteers, peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) following administration of a single 20 mg oral tablet dose are usually reached between 30 minutes and 2 hours (median 60 minutes) in the fasted state. High-fat meals reduced Cmax by 18% to 50%. The onset of action is within 1 hour of administration.Orally disintegrating tablets:The orally disintegrating vardenafil tablets provide a higher systemic exposure than the film-coated tablets. Some items may interact with your medicine. If you notice any changes in your vision while taking this medication, call your care team as soon as possible. Stop using this medication and call your care team right away if you have a loss of sight in one or both eyes. Contact your care team right away if the erection lasts longer than 4 hours or if it becomes painful. This may be a sign of serious problem and must be treated right away to prevent permanent damage. If you experience symptoms of nausea, dizziness, chest pain or arm pain upon initiation of sexual activity after taking this medication, you should refrain from further activity and call your care team as soon as possible.
| Brand Name | Active Ingredient | Medication Type | Typical Dosage | Available Forms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levitra | Vardenafil | PDE5 Inhibitor | 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg | Tablets |
| Staxyn | Vardenafil ODT | PDE5 Inhibitor | 10 mg | Orally Disintegrating Tablets |
| Vidalista | Tadalafil (comparison) | PDE5 Inhibitor | 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg | Tablets |
Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of side effects.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 34 + 2 Pills | 188.51€ 179.53€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 60mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 714.53€ 680.50€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 40mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 704.99€ 671.42€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 20mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 458.44€ 436.61€ | |
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 48 + 4 Pills | 235.14€ 223.94€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 60mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 906.69€ 863.51€ | |
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 12 Pills | 81.99€ 78.09€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 40mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 561.89€ 535.13€ | |
| Levitra Soft Tabs | 20mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 178.40€ 169.90€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 10mg | 20 Pills | 46.54€ 44.32€ |
Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible: Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome): This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
CRD summary
If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine generic levitra pills canada with others. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Store between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date. To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired: Take the medication to a medication take-back program.
- Levitra is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals.
- It is available in both tablet and generic forms.
- The drug can be prescribed for men aged 18 and above.
- Levitra's active ingredient is vardenafil hydrochloride.
- It helps achieve erections suitable for sexual activity.
- Taking fatty meals may delay the drug's onset.
- Levitra does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
- Use with caution if you have heart conditions.
- It is essential to inform your doctor of all medications.
- Vardenafil does not cure ED; it manages symptoms.
Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location. If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team.
Implications of the review for practice and research
In a study of patients with erectile dysfunction, the mean AUC was increased by 21% to 29% and the mean Cmax was decreased by 19% in geriatric patients and 8% in younger patients (18 to 45 years) as compared to the 10 mg film-coated tablets. In a study of healthy male volunteers (18 to 50 years), the mean Cmax was 15% higher and the mean AUC was 44% higher compared to the 10 mg film-coated tablets. The median time to reach Cmax in a fasted stated was 1.5 hours (range: 45 minutes to 2.5 hours). High fat meals had no effect on vardenafil AUC or Tmax in healthy volunteers, but reduced the Cmax by 35%. When the orally disintegrating vardenafil tablets were administered with water, the vardenafil AUC was reduced by 29% and the median Tmax was shortened by 60 minutes, while Cmax was not affected.
How does vardenafil work (mechanism of action)?
Vardenafil is not indicated for use in females. There are no adequate and well-controlled trials of vardenafil in humans during pregnancy. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental outcomes were observed during organogenesis at exposures for unbound vardenafil and its major metabolite at 100 and 29 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 20 mg. Vardenafil is not indicated for use in females and is therefore not recommended during breast-feeding. There is no information on the presence of vardenafil and its major metabolite in human milk, the effects on the breast-fed infant, or the effects on milk production. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container.
- Vardenafil requires a prescription; self-medicating is unsafe.
- Take Levitra approximately 60 minutes before intimacy.
- Do not take more than one dose per 24 hours.
- Symptoms like priapism need immediate medical attention.
- Levitra may cause nasal congestion or upset stomach.
- Combining vardenafil with other ED drugs increases risks.
- Alcohol can hinder the effectiveness of Levitra.
- Levitra is designed for occasional use, not daily.
- Precautions include monitoring for vision changes.
- Seek medical advice if you experience allergic reactions.
It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Section snippets
Vardenafil has no direct relaxant effect on isolated human corpus cavernosum and, at recommended doses, has no effect in the absence of sexual stimulation. Vardenafil has a greater selectivity for PDE5 versus PDE6, an enzyme found in the retina and involved in phototransduction. Sildenafil, another PDE inhibitor, has a lower selectivity for PDE5 versus PDE6 and is associated with abnormalities related to color vision with higher doses or plasma concentrations of the drug. The mean steady-state volume of distribution is 208L, indicating extensive distribution throughout the body. Vardenafil and its major metabolite (M1) are highly bound to plasma proteins (approximately 95% for parent drug and M1).
Pharmacotherapy for erectile dysfunction
Vardenafil is metabolized predominantly in the liver by CYP3A4 (there is some contribution by CYP3A5 and CYP2C isoforms). The major metabolite M1 is the result of desethylation at the piperazine moiety of vardenafil and is further metabolized. M1 has phosphodiesterase selectivity similar to that of vardenafil and an in vitro inhibitory potency for phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) that is 28% of that of vardenafil. M1 accounts for about 7% of the total pharmacological activity. Vardenafil is excreted as metabolites predominantly in the feces (approximately 91% to 95% of an oral dose) and to a lesser extent in the urine (about 2% to 6% of an oral dose). Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more.
Prescription Status: Rx-Only vs. OTC
They need to know if you have any of these conditions: Eye or vision problems, including a rare inherited eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa Heart disease, angina, a history of heart attack, irregular heart beats, or other heart problems History of blood diseases, such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia An unusual or allergic reaction to vardenafil, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label. The dose is usually taken 1 hour before sexual activity. You should not take this dose more than once per day. You can take it with or without food. Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.
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Vardenafil is excreted into the milk of lactating rats at concentrations approximately 10-fold greater than found in the plasma; following a single oral dose of 3 mg/kg, 3.3% of the administered dose was excreted into the milk within 24 hours. Vardenafil is a medication that treats erectile dysfunction. ED is the inability to achieve and sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. This medication works by increasing blood flow to your penis, which helps you maintain an erection. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
How effective are vardenafil and tadalafil for erectile dysfunction?
Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. VARDENAFIL (var DEN a fil) treats erectile dysfunction (ED). It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, which helps to maintain an erection. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews [Internet]. York (UK): Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (UK); 1995-. This review assessed the safety and efficacy of vardenafil, compared with placebo, for erectile dysfunction (ED).
- Vardenafil Levitra is a prescription medication for erectile dysfunction.
- It works by increasing blood flow to the penis.
- Vardenafil is marketed under the brand name Levitra.
- It typically takes about 25-60 minutes to work.
- The effects of vardenafil last up to 4-5 hours.
- It should be taken on an empty stomach for faster results.
- Common side effects include headache and flushing.
- Vardenafil is contraindicated with nitrates.
- Do not consume alcohol with vardenafil.
- Always follow your doctor's dosage instructions.
The authors concluded that vardenafil is superior to placebo in the treatment of symptoms of ED, although more research is required on its effectiveness and safety in different groups of patients. The authors' conclusions appear to be supported by the evidence presented, but the reliability of them is unclear.