Levitra

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Levitra?

Do not take Levitra with similar medicines such as avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra), or tadalafil (Cialis). These medicines also have other brand names (Adcirca, Revatio) that are used to treat a condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Levitra, especially:

all other medications you use for erectile dysfunction;

an antibiotic - clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, and others;

antifungal medicine - itraconazole, ketoconazole, and others;

drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder - alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, silodosin, terazosin, tamsulosin;

heart rhythm medicine - amiodarone, dofetilide, disopyramide, dronedarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol; or

HIV/AIDS medicine - atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with vardenafil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

More about Levitra (vardenafil)

Consumer resources

Professional resources

Related treatment guides

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Levitra.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2016 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 10.01. Revision Date: 2015-10-09, 12:14:28 PM.

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How Long Does Levitra Last?

Typically, Levitra lasts about four hours, though it starts to lose its effectiveness after a couple of hours. However, there are many factors that can increase or decrease how long it lasts. For example, if you take Levitra with a high-fat meal, you may find that it doesn't last as long.

How Long Does Levitra Last?

Many people considering Levitra ® (vardenafil HCL) wonder how long it lasts. Levitra will generally last for about four hours, though it starts to lose its effectiveness after a couple of hours.

The time it takes for Levitra to start working will also vary. It is recommended that you take Levitra one hour prior to sexual activity. For some people, however, Levitra is most effective after 30 minutes.

Factors Affecting How Long It Lasts

There are a number of factors that can increase or decrease how long Levitra lasts. Some factors that increase the amount of time Levitra stays in the body include:

• Being over the age of 65
• Having severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis
• Taking certain medicines (see Levitra Drug Interactions ).

There are also factors that can decrease how long the drug lasts. One such factor is taking Levitra with a high-fat meal.

Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;

In this Article

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking vardenafil (Levitra)?

Do not take vardenafil if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking vardenafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.

To make sure you can safely take vardenafil, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• heart disease, heart rhythm problems;
• a recent history (in the past 6 months) of a heart attack, stroke, or congestive heart failure;
• a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";
• high or low blood pressure;
• seizures;
• liver disease, kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;
• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
• a stomach ulcer;
• hearing or vision problems, history of vision loss;
• an eye disorder such as retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
• a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease); or
• if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.

Vardenafil can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking vardenafil, most of whom also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old. It is not clear whether vardenafil is the actual cause of vision loss. Stop using vardenafil and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.

FDA pregnancy category B: Although vardenafil is not for use in women, this medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby.

Although vardenafil is not for use in women, it is not known if vardenafil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Staxyn may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of vardenafil if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take vardenafil (Levitra)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Vardenafil can be taken with or without food.

Vardenafil is usually taken only when needed, about 60 minutes before sexual activity. The medication can help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill. Follow your doctor's instructions.

To take the orally disintegrating tablet (Staxyn):

• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.
• Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.
• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
• Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. Do not take Staxyn with liquid.

Do not take vardenafil more than once a day. Allow 24 hours to pass between doses.

Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.