Levitra: Uses, indications and precautions when using

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Levitra (generic name Vardenafil) is indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men by increasing blood flow to the penis. When using Vardenafil, patients need to be careful about problems related to heart rate, blood pressure and vision.

1. What does Levitra (Vardenafil) do?

Vardenafil is used to treat problems with sexual function in men (impotence or erectile dysfunction). It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, making it possible for men to achieve and maintain an erection longer. Vardenafil does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, syphilis). Instead, to prevent these diseases, you need to take safety measures during intercourse, like using a condom.

2. How to use Levitra

Read the medication instructions provided by your doctor or pharmacist carefully before you start taking vardenafil and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions about how to use Vardenafil, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
The patient takes Vardenafil orally as directed by the doctor. Take vardenafil with or without food, about 1 hour before sexual activity. Do not use more than once per day. Two consecutive doses should be spaced at least 24 hours apart.
Vardenafil dosage is prescribed based on your medical condition, response to treatment and other drugs you are taking. Therefore, the patient needs to make a list of all the medicines they are using to the doctor and pharmacist for proper prescription (including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and herbal products).
Avoid eating or drinking grapefruit juice while using Vardenafil, unless instructed by your doctor or pharmacist on how to safely use it to avoid interactions. Interactions with grapefruit juice may increase the risk of side effects with vardenafil.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve after using Levitra .

3. Side effects when using Levitra

Besides the therapeutic effect, the use of Vardenafil can lead to unwanted effects. Common side effects include: Headache, facial flushing, stuffy/runny nose, or dizziness. Patients may also notice changes in vision, such as increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or difficulty distinguishing between blue and green. If you notice any of these side effects persist or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away for proper treatment.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and headaches, patients should avoid sudden changes in position when sitting up and standing up.
When prescribing Vardenafil to you, your doctor has judged that the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects. Most patients use this drug and no serious side effects occur.
Being sexually active can put extra strain on your heart, especially if you have heart problems. In the event of a heart condition and noticing any of the following serious side effects during sex, patients should stop and get medical help right away, including: severe dizziness, fainting , chest/jaw/left arm pain and nausea.
Sudden loss of vision, including permanent blindness, in one or both eyes is very rare with Levitra. However, if this serious problem occurs, the patient should stop taking the drug and seek medical attention immediately. The risk of vision complications is higher in people with heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, age over 50, smoking habits, and certain other vision problems.
Rarely, when taking vardenafil, a sudden decrease or loss of hearing occurs, but sometimes tinnitus and dizziness may occur. Stop taking the medicine and seek medical attention immediately if these side effects occur.
In addition, very rarely patients treated with vardenafil experience pain or erections lasting 4 hours or more. In this case, the person needs to stop taking the medication and get medical help right away to avoid permanent problems.
Besides, if you notice any serious side effects, the patient should go to the hospital immediately, such as tachycardia, irregular heartbeat, convulsions or temporary memory loss.
Allergic reactions classified as severe to Levitra are very rare, with symptoms including: itching and/or swelling of the tongue, face, throat, dizziness, rash, unusual feeling of shortness of breath. .
These are not all possible side effects of Levitra. While taking this medicine, if you notice other unwanted effects not listed above or if any of these side effects are severe, persist or get worse, do not be subjective, stop the medicine and Visit your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

4. Caution when using Levitra

Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor if you are allergic to this medicine and any other allergies if any. Medicines may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Before using Levitra, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: Heart problems (such as heart attack or life-threatening irregular heartbeat, occurring within 6 months past history, angina, heart failure ), ever had a stroke within the last 6 months, kidney disease requiring dialysis, liver disease, high or low blood pressure, severe dehydration, a condition involving the penis (such as angina, fibrosis/scarring, curvature of the penis, history of prolonged erections, pain during erection (such as foreskin stenosis), medical conditions predisposing to erectile dysfunction (such as sickle cell anemia, leukemia, multiple myeloma), eye problems (such as retinitis pigmentosa, sudden vision loss, complications of permanent blindness), blood clotting disorders, and ulcers stomach.
Vardenafil has a risk of affecting heart rhythm (QT interval prolongation syndrome). A prolonged QT interval can cause tachycardia or irregular heartbeat (in some cases fatal) and transient symptoms (such as dizziness, fainting) that require immediate medical attention.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other medicines that prolong the QT interval. Before using vardenafil, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the medicines you are taking and if you have any of the following conditions: Certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT interval prolongation in ECG results), family history of certain heart problems (QT interval prolongation, stroke).
Hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia can also increase the risk of QT prolongation, especially if you take certain medications (such as diuretics) or if you have conditions such as sweating. much, diarrhea or vomiting.
Levitra has the potential to lead to dizziness or vision changes. Therefore, patients should not drive, use machines, or perform tasks requiring alertness until they can do so safely. In addition, patients should limit the use of alcohol and other stimulants while using the drug.
Before surgery, tell your doctor that you are being treated with Levitra, as well as other medicines if available.
Older adults are often more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation.
Vardenafil is hardly used in women. Therefore, do not take this medicine during pregnancy or lactation.

5. Interaction between Vardenafil with other drugs

Interactions between Vardenafil and other drugs when taken at the same time or at a close time can affect each other's effects, activities and effectiveness or even increase the risk of side effects severity of each drug. Therefore, before using this medicine, tell your doctor about all other medicines and products you are using. Do not take, stop or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's approval.
A product that commonly interacts with this drug is riociguat. Vardenafil has the potential to severely lower blood pressure when taken with nitrates, leading to dizziness, fainting, even heart attack and stroke. Do not use vardenafil with any of the following medicines: Certain drugs used in the treatment of angina (typically nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide), drugs containing the amyl or butyl nitrite group (common in aphrodisiacs).
If you are taking alpha blockers (such as doxazosin, tamsulosin) to treat an enlarged prostate or high blood pressure, interacting with vardenafil can cause your blood pressure to drop to low levels, leading to dizziness or fainting faint. In this case, the doctor may start the treatment regimen with a lower dose of vardenafil, to minimize the risk of hypotension.
Other drugs may affect the patient's ability to remove vardenafil from the body and affect how the drug works. Examples of drugs that interfere, such as azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin), HIV protease inhibitors (such as indinavir, ritonavir), inhibitors Hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors (eg, boceprevir, telaprevir) and rifampin.
Many drugs interact with vardenafil with an increased risk of heart rate effects (due to the same QT-prolonging effects), including amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, and sotalol.
Do not take this medicine with any other product containing vardenafil or drugs with similar effects to treat erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension (such as sildenafil and tadalafil).

6. Note when using Levitra

Overuse of vardenafil can lead to an overdose and serious symptoms such as fainting or difficulty breathing.
Do not share this prescription with others. Store vardenafil at room temperature (15-30 degrees Celsius), away from light and moisture, do not leave the medicine in the bathroom, and keep it away from children and pets. Dispose of this medication appropriately when it has expired or is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for possible safe disposal of vardenafil.
Knowing the information about the brand name Levitra before using it always brings positive effects as well as reduces risks for patients. Besides, if you have any questions, customers can contact Vinmec International General Hospital to receive in-depth advice from a team of doctors and pharmacists with many years of experience.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: webmd.com