About Levitra.

Levitra is one of the three main medications widely used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. Erectile dysfunction or ED is characterized by inability to get or maintain erections in men of different ages. For males, the potency problems usually result in all kinds of performance anxiety and losing of self-esteem. There is a great number of factors causing erectile dysfunction - from physical disorders such as heart disease, prostate cancer and diabetes to psychological problems like stress, anxiety and depression.
Levitra was created by company GlaxoSmithKline to compete the brand Viagra in treating impotence in males. Levitra is definitely not so popular among males as brands Viagra and Cialis, but clinical studies have shown that this medication has its benefits in comparison to other drugs. These benefits are:
Levitra is the quickest to start acting in the body.
Levitra has demonstrated the fewer side effects than other ED therapies.
Levitra is a branded name of the drug Vardenafil Hydrochloride which belongs to the drug classPhosphodiesterase type 5 Inhibitors.
The chemical name of Vardenafil Hydrochloride is 1 - [[3 - (3,4 - Dihydro - 5 - methyl - 4 - oxo - 7 - propylimidazo[5,1 - f] - as - triazin - 2 - yl) - 4 - ethoxyphenyl]sulfonyl] - 4 – ethylpiperazine. Its molecular formula is C23H32N6O4S.

Levitra for treatment of ED can make male’s sexual life better and longer. The drug is available in
-Tablets 2.5 mg
- Tablets 5 mg
- Tablets 10 mg
- Tablets 20 mg
Vardenafil Hydrochloride mechanism of action involves inhibition of PDE type 5 that increases blood flow into the penis with sexual stimulation. With the help of the drug you can achieve and maintain an erection.
Levitra improves the effect of nitric oxide (NO- a chemical agent in the body responsible for occurring an erection) at the nerve ending and endothelial cells in the body by inhibiting PDE5 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis. This causes vasodilation –enlarged blood inflow into penis and ensures penile erection by sexual stimulation.
Levitra is rapidly absorbed in the body after oral administration receiving max concentration in plasma between half an hour and 2 hours after oral intake. Levitra is eliminated after 4-6 hours, as metabolites in feces and in urine.
Levitra is a prescription drug so it is necessary to consult your doctor before starting treatment with it. Your doctor will state the right diagnosis of your disease, adjust tests or procedures to estimate the severity of your ED and order you the right dose which depends on your tolerability, medications you are taking and other disorders you have.
The initial dose of the drug is 10 mg ordered as needed 1 hour before sexual activity. The dose may be enlarged to 20 mg or altered to 5mg per day. Your doctor will decide if the alteration of the dose is necessary for you. Levitra is used only as needed and 24 hours should pass between you can take your next pill.
The initial dose for men suffering from serious or chronic disorders hepatic function impairment, kidney disease, renal insufficiency and patients over 65 years old is 5 mg orally as needed 1 hour before sexual activity.
Other medications may influence on the dose your doctor prescribe for you, follow your doctor’ order and never take more than recommended.
The drug can be taken with or without food. In case your stomach troubles you it is better to take the drug with food.
Alcohol is forbidden, though some doctors allow small amounts of alcohol. In general drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of vardenafil and cause definite risk for your health.
Avoid grapefruit products while being treated with Levitra.
Before taking Levitra discuss with your doctor your health conditions to know if you can take this drug safely. Inform him about:
heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, heart attack, chest pain or congestive heart failure;
a recent history of stroke or blood clots;
high or low blood pressure;
seizures;
liver disease, kidney disease;
blood cell disorders;
hemophilia;
a stomach ulcer;
hearing or vision problems;
eye disorders;
a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease).
Levitra has certain drug contradictions such as nitrates, other ED drugs or alpha-blockers. These drugs should not be taken together with Levitra. Other potent contradictions are:
conivaptan (Vaprisol);
diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Solareze);
imatinib (Gleevec);
isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);
antidepressants such as nefazodone;
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), or telithromycin (Ketek);
an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig), or voriconazole (Vfend);
drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder, such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), tamsulosin (Flomax);
heart or blood pressure medication such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine (Quin-G), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);
heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), quinidine (Quin-G), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), or sotalol (Betapace); or
HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).
Levitra has demonstrated high efficacy in clinical studies, besides the drug has rarely caused serious side effects. Most common side effects appearing include headaches, flushing, diarrhea and stuffy or runny nose. You may report them to your doctor if they bother you.
Other side effects occurring infrequently but requiring special medical attention are:
sudden vision loss;
ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;
chest pain, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder;
irregular heartbeat;
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
shortness of breath;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
severe allergic reactions;
penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer;
seizures.
Special alerts are made by FDA to patients with vision problems because of reports about sudden vision loss associated with Levitra treatment in some patients. Inform your doctor if you have problems with your vision or vision changes before taking Levitra.