Levitra Side effects and contraindications

Vardenafil, better known by the brand name Levitra, is a prescription medication that treats erectile dysfunction in men.

Erectile dysfunction is when a man cannot get or maintain an erection of the penis

In this article, you will learn how Levitra helps men cope with the symptoms of impotence, about the contraindications to this drug and side effects.

How Levitra works

Vardenafil, which Levitra consists of, increases blood flow to the penis and thus helps a man get and maintain an erection. Its action is similar to the action of Sildenafil or Viagra, but the effect of the blue pill lasts 2-4 hours, and Levitra up to 5 hours.

Levitra belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These drugs prevent PDE5 from narrowing the arteries.

The active substance of Levitra affects the chain of reactions in the penis during intimacy. When a man is sexually aroused, nitric oxide is released in his penis, and this triggers the erection mechanism in the body: the enzyme guanylate cyclase produces cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This compound regulates the contraction and expansion of the blood vessels of the male reproductive organ.

The vessels that supply the penis expand, and the vessels that drain blood from it narrow. The two cavernous chambers in the penis, called the corpora cavernosa, fill with blood, and due to this, an erection occurs. At the same time, another enzyme, phosphodiesterase-5, tends to break down cGMP, preventing erections.

When cGMP is broken down, the blood vessels return to their normal size, ending the erection. Vardenafil prevents PDE5 from destroying cGMP, allowing this important enzyme to work longer. As a result, the erection lasts longer.

Dosage How to take

Levitra is available in tablets of 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg. The initial dosage is usually 10 mg. A dose of 10 mg of vardenafil is equivalent to approximately 50 mg of sildenafil or Viagra.

The tablet is taken 25-60 minutes before sex. It should be noted that the drug will not work if the man is not sexually aroused, so foreplay is usually required. The effect lasts up to 5 hours. The maximum allowable daily dose of the drug is 20 mg.

Levitra can be taken with or without food, but it is not recommended to drink alcohol, as this reduces the likelihood of an erection. Alcoholic beverages can also increase the risk of side effects.

The manufacturer of the drug, Bayer Pharma AG, also produces lozenges called Staxyn, which must be dissolved on the tongue before swallowing. They should not be taken with any kind of drinks.

Side effects

As with other medicines, side effects and unwanted interactions may occur when using vardenafil. So, every tenth man may experience a headache after taking a Levitra pill.

Other common side effects:

• nasal congestion or runny nose
• indigestion
• dizziness

In most cases, they disappear within a few hours. Potentially more serious symptoms include:

• ringing in the ears or sudden hearing loss
• arrhythmia
• swelling of limbs
• difficulty breathing
• chest pain

If this happens, you must stop using Levitra.

Allergic reaction to vardenafil

Despite the fact that it is quite rare, it can lead to hives and even anaphylactic shock with a fatal outcome. When the first symptoms (swelling, difficulty breathing) appear, urgent measures must be taken to obtain emergency medical care.

Priapism

Very rarely, but still, a side effect of priapism can occur when an erection lasts longer than 4 hours, which can potentially lead to damage to the vessels and tissues of the penis. If the erection lasts too long, the man should also see a doctor.

Visual impairment

Such disorders can be triggered by a drop in blood pressure, which affects visual function. Some men experience altered color perception, when a blue tint is visually observed in the surrounding objects, as well as difficulty in distinguishing between green and blue colors.

In isolated cases, a sudden deterioration in vision in one or both eyes was recorded. Vision problems are most common in patients with other conditions, such as heart or coronary artery disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

If sudden loss of vision occurs, the patient should stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention.In addition, additional high risk factors are:

• smoking
• over 50 years of age

Interaction of vardenafil with other drugs

Using Levitra with some other drugs can lead to serious side effects. Possible reactions include:

• potentially dangerous drop in blood pressure or hypotension
• dizziness
• fainting
• there is also a risk of stroke and heart attack

A man should not use Levitra if he is taking nitrate drugs such as nitroglycerin for chest pain or heart problems.

Do not use with recreational drugs, amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite, also known as poppers.

List of other drugs that can interact with vardenafil, the use of which together with Levitra should be consulted with a doctor in advance:

• antibiotics and antifungals
• PDE5 inhibitor drugs for erectile dysfunction
• drugs to treat prostate problems, blood pressure, or heart rhythm disorders
• drugs for HIV or AIDS

From food sources, grapefruit juice contains a chemical called furanocoumarin, which has a strong antagonistic effect on specific enzymes in the intestines responsible for the breakdown of vardenafil. Therefore, it should not be consumed when using Levitra.

Contraindications

Even before purchasing this remedy, you must inform the doctor about all your ailments, any other medicines or supplements that are used for treatment, as the contraindications are quite serious.

This is especially important if you have the following conditions:

• penile pathology such as Peyronie's disease
• arrhythmias, heart failure, or angina
• hearing problems
• hemophilia or bleeding disorders< /li>
• hypotension (low blood pressure) or hypertension (high blood pressure)
• liver or kidney disease
• multiple myeloma, leukemia, sickle cell anemia, or other health problems blood cells
• non-arterial anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
• retinal damage
• gastric ulcer
• retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic eye disease

You should also tell your doctor if you have ever experienced priapism, seizures, or if you have recently had a stroke or heart attack.

A drug such as Levitra is recommended to be purchased by prescription at a pharmacy, but many, in order to save money, buy it online.