Uses:
Levitra is an oral therapy for the treatment of erectile
dysfunction.
How to take this medication:
Levitra comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It should be
taken as needed about 1 hour before sexual activity. Some
form of sexual stimulation is needed for an erection to
occur with Levitra. Levitra should not be taken more than
once a day. Levitra can be taken with or without food.
Possible side effects:
The most common side effects with Levitra are: -Headaches
-Flushing -Stuffy or runny nose Levitra may uncommonly cause:
An erection that will not 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. 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.
Precautions:
Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor if you currently
have or have ever had a heart attack, stroke, irregular
heartbeats, angina (chest pain), or congestive heart failure;
have high or low blood pressure; have a personal or family
history of a rare heart condition known as prolongation
of the QT interval (long QT syndrome); have liver problems;
have kidney problems; have ever had blood problems, including
sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia; have
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; have a stomach ulcer;
a family history of degenerative eye disease (e.g., retinitis
pigmentosa); or have a physical deformity of the penis such
as Peyronie's disease. You may not be able to take Levitra,
or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring
during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed
above. Although Levitra is not indicated for use by women,
it is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that Levitra
is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Levitra
should not be taken by women. It is not known whether Levitra
passes into breast milk. Levitra should not be taken by
women. If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more
likely to experience side effects from Levitra. Your doctor
may prescribe a lower dose of the medication.
Drug interactions:
To avoid Levitra drug interactions, tell your doctor about
all medications and nonprescription products you take. Make
sure to include erythromycin, cimetidine, mibefradil, nitroprusside
(any "nitric oxide donor" medicines), nitrate
medications (e.g., nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate),
azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), rifamycins
(e.g., rifampin), or high blood pressure medicines.
Notes:
Do not take Levitra if you: -Take any form of medication
known as "nitrates" (type of medicine used to
relieve chest pain that can occur as a result of heart disease).
Taking Levitra in combination with nitrates may result in
serious side effects. -Take medicines called "alpha-blockers"
(sometimes prescribed for prostate problems or high blood
pressure). Taking Levitra with alpha-blockers may drop your
blood pressure to an unsafe level. -Your doctor determines
that sexual activity poses a health risk for you. You have
a known sensitivity or allergy to any component of Levitra.
The use of Levitra offers no protection against sexually
transmitted diseases. Counseling of patients about protective
measures necessary to guard against sexually transmitted
diseases, including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV),
should be considered.
Missed Dosage:
Levitra is used as needed, so you are not likely to miss
a dose.
Storage:
Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C
(59-86°F). Keep Levitra and all medicines out of the
reach of children.
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