levitra drug
Common uses
This medicine is a phosphodiesteraseinhibitor used to treat sexual function problems such as impotence orerectile dysfunction. In combination with sexual stimulation, thismedicine works by helping the blood flow into the penis to achieve andmaintain an erection. This medicine is not intended for use in women orchildren. This medicine will not protect against sexually transmitteddiseases including hiv infection. Use "safe sex" practices such aslatex condoms. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Before using
Do not take this medicine if you arealso taking or using any form of nitroglycerin, other nitrates such asisosorbide, nitroprusside or any "nitric oxide donor" medicine, orrecreational drugs called "poppers" containing amyl or butyl nitratebecause very serious interactions may occur. If you are not surewhether a certain medicine is a nitrate, contact your doctor orpharmacist before taking this medicine. Do not take this medicine ifyou are taking an alpha-blocker medicine such as doxazosin, prazosin,or terazosin. If you are taking any of these medicines, contact yourdoctor or pharmacist before taking vardenafil.
Additional monitoring of your dose orcondition may be needed if you are taking other medicine for impotence;certain antifungal medicines such as itraconazole or ketoconazole;rifamycins such as rifampin; cimetidine; erythromycin; medicine forhigh blood pressure; medicine for abnormal heartbeats such asquinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, or sotalol; hiv proteaseinhibitors such as ritonavir or indinavir, or st. John's wort.
Additional monitoring of your dose orcondition may be needed if you are taking other medicines which maychange the way the heart beats such as phenothiazines, tricyclicantidepressants, quinolone antibiotics, and others. Do not start orstop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform yourdoctor or any other medical conditions including penis problems;history of painful or prolonged erection; sickle cell anemia; bloodsystem cancers such as leukemia or myeloma; eye diseases, especiallyretina diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, kidney or liver disease,bleeding disorders, active stomach ulcers, heart problems of any kindincluding arrhythmias, stroke, very high or low blood pressure, orallergies.
Do not take this medicine if you havebeen told by your healthcare provider to not have sexual activitybecause of certain health problems, especially heart problems. Contactyour doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns abouttaking this medicine.
Directions
Follow the directions for using thismedicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a patientinformation leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, orpharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. Takethis medicine by mouth as needed 1 hour before sexual activity or asdirected by your doctor.
Do not take this medicine more oftenthan once daily as needed. If you are taking certain other medicinesyou may only be able to take this medicine one time every three days.Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more information. This medicinemay be taken on an empty stomach or with food. However, taking thismedicine with a high-fat meal may reduce the amount of medicine thatyour body absorbs.
Store this medicine at room temperature77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away fromheat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30degrees C) is permitted.
Cautions
Do not take this medicine if you havehad an allergic reaction to it in the past or to any other ingredientthat is found in it. This medicine may cause dizziness or visionchanges. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else thatcould be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. Usingthis medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessenyour ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
To minimize dizziness orlightheadedness, sit up or stand slowly when rising from a seated orlying position. Your dose is based on your medical condition, responseto therapy, and the other medicines you are taking.
Do not exceed the recommended dosewithout checking with your doctor. Rarely, this medicine may changeheart rhythm, especially if taken with other medicines that can changethe heart rhythm. This change in heart rhythm can result in serious,rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Ask your doctor for moreinformation and if you should stop taking any of your other medicinesto reduce the risk of this side effect.
Before you begin taking any newmedicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with yourdoctor or pharmacist. Caution is advised when using this medicine inthe elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects ofthis medicine. This medicine should not be used in women or children.
Possible side effects
Side effects that may occur whiletaking this medicine include headache, flushing, stomach upset ornausea, heartburn, stuffy or runny nose, diarrhea, dizziness, orlightheadedness. Rarely vision changes such as increased sensitivity tolight, blurred vision, or impaired blue/green color discrimination mayalso occur. If these continue or are bothersome, check with yourdoctor. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience fast, slow,or irregular heartbeats.
Sexual activity may put extra strain onyour heart, especially if you have heart problems. If you have heartproblems and experience any serious side effects while having sex, stophaving sex and tell your doctor immediately. These side effects includesevere dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or nausea. In the unlikely eventhat you have a painful or prolonged erection (lasting more than 4hours), stop using this medicine and seek immediate medical attentionor permanent problems could occur.
An allergic reaction to this medicineis unlikely but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptomsof an allergic reaction include rash, itching, unusual swelling, severedizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listedabove, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
If you take too much
If overdose is suspected, contact yourlocal poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms ofoverdose may include back pain, muscle pain, and abnormal vision.
Additional information
If your symptoms do not improve or ifthey become worse, check with your doctor. Do not share this medicinewith others for whom it was not prescribed, since they may have aproblem that is not effectively treated with this medicine, or they mayhave a condition that is complicated by this medicine.
Do not use this medicine for otherhealth conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children andpets. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtainrefills before your supply runs out.
Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result inunwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Somemedicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Informyour doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-countermedicine that you are taking.
