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What is Levitra?
Levitra is a prescription medicine taken by mouth for the treatment of erectile
dysfunction (ED) in men. ED is a condition where the penis does not harden
and expand when a man is sexually excited, or when he cannot keep an erection.
A man who has trouble getting or keeping an erection should see his doctor
for help if the condition bothers him. Levitra may help a man with ED get and
keep an erection when he is sexually excited.
Levitra does not: cure ED, increase a man's sexual desire, serve as a male
form of birth control, or protect a man or his partner from sexually transmitted
diseases, including HIV. Speak to your doctor about ways to guard against sexually
transmitted diseases.
Levitra is only for men with ED. Levitra is not for women or children. Levitra
must be used only under a doctor's care.
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How does Levitra work?
When a man is sexually stimulated, his body's normal physical response is to
increase blood flow to his penis. This results in an erection. Levitra helps
increase blood flow to the penis and may help men with ED get and keep an erection
satisfactory for sexual activity. Once a man has completed sexual activity,
blood flow to his penis decreases, and his erection goes away.
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Who can take Levitra?
Levitra has been shown to be effective in men over the age of 18 years who
have erectile dysfunction, including men with diabetes or who have undergone
prostatectomy.
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Who should not take Levitra?
Do not take Levitra if you take any medicines called "nitrates" Nitrates
are commonly used to treat angina. Angina is a symptom of heart disease and
can cause pain in your chest, jaw, or down your arm.
Medicines called nitrates include nitroglycerin that is found in tablets, sprays,
ointments, pastes, or patches. Nitrates can also be found in other medicines
such as isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate. Some recreational drugs
called "poppers" also contain nitrates, such as amyl nitrate and
butyl nitrate. Do not use Levitra if you are using these drugs. Ask your doctor
or pharmacist if you are not sure if any of your medicines are nitrates.
Do not take Levitra if you take medicines called "alpha-blockers." Alpha-blockers
are sometimes prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure. If Levitra
is taken with alpha-blockers, your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an
unsafe level. You could get dizzy and faint.
Do not take Levitra if you have been told by your healthcare provider to not
have sexual activity because of health problems. Sexual activity can put an
extra strain on your heart, especially if your heart is already weak from a
heart attack or heart disease.
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What should you discuss with your
doctor before taking Levitra?
Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor about all your medical problems, including
if you: have heart problems such as angina, heart failure, irregular heartbeats,
or have had a heart attack. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to have sexual
activity.
Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor if you have low blood pressure or have
high blood pressure that is not controlled.
Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor if you have had a stroke or any family
members have a rare heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval
(long QT syndrome)
Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor if you have liver problems or have
kidney problems and require dialysis, or if you have retinitis pigmentosa,
a rare genetic (runs in families) eye disease.
Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor if you have stomach ulcers, a bleeding
problem, a deformed penis shape or Peyronie's disease, have had an erection
that lasted more than 4 hours, or if you have blood cell problems such as sickle
cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia.
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Can other medications affect Levitra?
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and
non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Levitra and other
medicines may affect each other. Always check with your doctor before starting
or stopping any medicines. Especially tell your doctor if you take any of the
following:
medicines called nitrates, medicines called alpha-blockers. These include Hytrin® (terazosin
HCl), Flomax® (tamsulosin HCl), Cardura® (doxazosin mesylate), Minipress® (prazosin
HCl) or Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl). Tell your doctor about any
medicines you are taking that treat abnormal heartbeat. These include quinidine,
procainamide, amiodarone and sotalol. Also if you are taking medicines called
ritonavir (Norvir®) or indinavir sulfate (Crixivan®), ketoconazole or itraconazole
(such as Nizoral® or Sporanox®), erythromycin or other medicines or treatments
for ED.
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How should you take Levitra?
Take Levitra exactly as your doctor prescribes. Levitra comes in different
doses (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg). For most men, the recommended starting
dose is 10 mg. Take Levitra no more than once a day. Doses should be taken
at least 24 hours apart. Some men can only take a low dose of Levitra because
of medical conditions or medicines they take. Your doctor will prescribe the
dose that is right for you.
If you are older than 65 or have liver problems, your doctor may start you
on a lower dose of Levitra.
If you are taking certain other medicines your doctor may prescribe a lower
starting dose and limit you to one dose of Levitra in a 72-hour (3 days) period.
Take 1 Levitra tablet about 1 hour (60 minutes) before sexual activity. Some
form of sexual stimulation is needed for an erection to happen with Levitra.
Levitra may be taken with or without meals.
Do not change your dose of Levitra without talking to your doctor. Your doctor
may lower your dose or raise your dose, depending on how your body reacts to
Levitra.
If you take too much Levitra, call your doctor or emergency room right away.
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What are the possible side effects
of Levitra?
The most common side effects with Levitra are headache, flushing, stuffy or
runny nose, indigestion, upset stomach, or dizziness. These side effects usually
go away after a few hours. Call your doctor if you get a side effect that bothers
you or one that will not go away.
Levitra may uncommonly cause an erection that won't go away (priapism). If
you get an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, get medical help right away.
Priapism must be treated as soon as possible or lasting damage can happen to
your penis including the inability to have erections. It may also cause vision
changes, such as seeing a blue tinge to objects or having difficulty telling
the difference between the colors blue and green.
These are not all the side effects of Levitra. For more information, ask your
doctor or pharmacist.
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