What is Vardenafil(Levitra)?
Levitra is the brand-name prescription drug for vardenafil. Levitra is one of the phosphodiesterase-5 enzyme (PDE-5) inhibitors along with viagra and Cialis, meaning it blocks the PDE-5 enzyme. The key purpose of Levitra is to treat Erectile dysfunction in men and it is FDA approved. Levitra has been shown to be effective in treating ED in a broad range of men, including men with diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, spinal cord injury, and those who have had their prostate gland removed.
What is the brand name of Vardenafil?
Vardenafil is the generic form of the drug Levitra.
How is Vardenafil different from Sildenafil and Tadalafil?
Although all these drugs belong to the same class there minor differences between them.
Vardenafil and sildenafil share a lot of similarities in duration effect and side effects whereas Tadalafil stays long up to 18 hours in the system.
But according to some studies, Vardenafil has shown some efficacy compared to Sildenafil in treating Erectile dysfunction in men with hypertension, cardiovascular risks, and diabetes.
Is Levitra more effective than Viagra?
According to clinical studies, we know that both Levitra and Viagra have been proven effective for treating erectile dysfunction. In a study comparing drugs for ED, Levitra was described as more potent than Viagra; however, both drugs were shown to be similarly effective in the treatment of ED. The only advantage Levitra had was that it did not alter color perception, which may occur with Viagra on rare occasions. Another study found both drugs to be well-tolerated, with Levitra being nominally better than Viagra.
The most effective drug for you can only be determined by your healthcare provider, who will take into account your medical history and condition(s), as well as other medications you are taking that could interact with Levitra or Viagra.
How does Vardenafil(Levitra) work?
The main thing for Levitra to work to get an erection is sexual arousal. Once a man is sexually aroused nitric oxide (NO) diffuses into the smooth muscle cells activating guanylate cyclase (GC) to change guanosine triphosphate (GTP) into cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The cGMP causes a decrease in intracellular calcium inducing smooth muscle relaxation, allowing more blood to flow into the vessels of the penis, making the penis rigid and erect.
Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) is responsible for reducing cGMP in the penis. This reduction causes the smooth muscle surrounding the blood vessels to contract, resulting in blood being forced out of the penis and the erection becoming flaccid.
As a PDE-5 inhibitor, Levitra blocks the action of PDE-5, preventing it from breaking down cGMP. This results in an improved blood flow to the penis maintaining the erection.
How to take Levitra effectively?
Levitra usually takes around 60 minutes to take its effects and lasts up to 6 hours in one’s body. It is recommended to take Levitra 60 minutes before sexual activity so that it can have a great impact on the erections. The typical dose of Levitra recommended is around 10 mg and the dose can be adjusted anywhere from 5 mg to 20 mg depending on the effect it has. Levitra (vardenafil) should not be taken more than once a day at any dose. It is also recommended to take Levitra on an empty stomach for effective results.
What are the available doses of Vardenafil?
Vardenafil is available in three dosages 5mg, 10mg, and 20 mg.
5mg is the minimum dosage and 20mg is the maximum dosage of Vardenafil.
Doctors prescribe 5mg when starting the treatment and the dosage will be adjusted based on the efficacy and the side effects on the patient.
Most of the patients experience better erections with 10mg Vardenafil but the dosage is dependent on the patient and the severity of Erectile Dysfunction.
What are the Side effects of Vardenafil?
Vardenafil share common side effects with Tadalafil and Sildenafil. Here are the side effects of Vardenafil
Common side-effects of Vardenafil Include
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Backpain
- Nausea
- Runny or Stuffy Nose
- Stomach upset
- Flushing
- Heartburn
In some rare cases, people might experience priapism, which is a prolonged erection that stays for more than 4 hours. In this case, you need to call the medical emergency and take measures. Priapism might cause permanent damage to your Penis.
There are several rare side effects of Vardenafil
- Sudden Vision loss
- Ringing in ears
- Sudden Hearing loss
- chest pain or heavy feeling
- pain spreading to the arm or shoulder
- general ill feeling
- irregular heartbeat
- swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
- shortness of breath
- vision changes
For all these rare side-effects you need to contact the doctor immediately as these side effects can show a significant effect on your health.
When to avoid Levitra?
Patients taking nitrates (a treatment for a specific heart problem) should not take Levitra and it may not be suitable for some patients with serious heart conditions or when sexual activity is inadvisable.
However, as with all prescription medicines, men should consult their healthcare professional who will advise them accordingly.
Levitra drug Interactions
- Levitra should never be used with nitrates, such as nitroglycerin. The combination is contraindicated (should not be used) because it could result in dangerously low blood pressure.
- Alpha-blockers, such as alfuzosin, terazosin, or tamsulosin, can cause the same effect of low blood pressure when taken with Levitra.
- Any antihypertensives (medications to lower blood pressure) in combination with Levitra can also interact, causing low blood pressure.
- Levitra can also interact with azole antifungals, protease inhibitors, and macrolide antibiotics.
FAQs about Vardenafil
What are vardenafil tablets used for?
Vardenafil tablets are approved by the FDA for treating Erectile dysfunction in men and it is used in treating Erectile Dysfunction.
But off-label it is also used in treating arousal disorders in women by some doctors.
Can vardenafil cause pregnancy?
Vardenafil is a PDE-5 inhibitor and it works only in getting better erections by increasing the flow of blood to the penis only if you have sexual arousal.
Vardenafil in no way can help men or women in increasing fertility and causing pregnancy.
Can you split Vardenafil?
Most of the time Vardenafil comes in respective dosages that can be used directly without splitting them or breaking them. Splitting or Breaking the Vardenafil might reduce the efficacy and in some cases, it might not work at all as well.
Can you take Vardenafil and Sildenafil together?
No, you can’t take any of the Erectile Dysfunction medications together and you can’t take any of these medications more than once in 24 hours.
If some medication isn’t working for you, you can alter the medication consulting your doctor.
But pharmacies like “The ED Clinic” have developed troches that have mixed drugs like sildenafil and Tadalafil with dosages adjusted so that people can try mixed drugs for better erections.
Can you take Vardenafil?
It is totally dependent on the patient and people on certain medications like nitrates are not advised to take Vardenafil.
But if you are talking only about taking Vardenafil for treating Erectile Dysfunction, Yes, you can take Vardenafil by consulting the doctor to know the dosage for you and it is a prescription medicine.
can you take vardenafil with Flomax?
Talk to your doctor before taking Vardenafil and Flomax together as taking them at once might cause some side-effects like lowering your blood pressure and increasing the risk of dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, flushing, headache, and nasal congestion.
But in some cases like Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and Lower urinary tract symptoms, both Vardenafil and Flomax are prescribed combined so by contacting the doctor you can take both of them one not affecting the other.
How long does Vardenafil last or Vardenafil stay effective?
Similar to Sildenafil, Vardenafil stays effective for 4 hours, and in these 4 hours when you are sexually stimulated you can attain erections.
Vardenafil, How long to work?
Vardenafil usually starts working from 60 minutes after taking, So it is always advised to take Vardenafil before 60 minutes of having sex.
What is Vardenafil 20mg?
Vardenafil 20mg is highest dosage of the drug Vardenafil. It is used to treat Severe ED, which has no effect by 5mg and 10mg Vardenafil.
What is Vardenafil 10mg is used for?
Vardenafil is the most used dosage of vardenafil drug to treat erectile dysfunction. Most of the ED patients have achieved satisfactory erections with Vardenafil 10mg.