What is Levitra?

Levitra (vardenafil hydrochloride) is a medicine taken by mouth for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. ED is a condition where the penis does not harden and expand when a man is sexually excited, or when he cannot keep an erection. Levitra may help a man with ED get and keep an erection when he is sexually excited. Levitra is only for men, not for women and children, and must be used only under a doctor's care.

Levitra does not:

• Cure ED
• Increase a man's sexual desire
• Protect a man or his partner from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV
• Serve as a male form of birth control.

Levitra was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003. Levitra is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, and distributed and marketed by Schering Corporation.

Levitra FDA Alert

In 2005, the FDA issued an alert for men using Levitra, Viagra, or Cialis. A small number of men have lost eyesight in one eye sometime after taking these drugs. This type of vision loss is called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION causes sudden loss of eyesight because blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve.

The FDA still does not know if these drugs cause NAION, since this condition also occurs in men who do not take these medicines. People who have a higher chance of NAION include those who:

• have heart disease
• are over 50 years old
• have diabetes
• have high blood pressure
• have high cholesterol
• smoke
• have certain eye problems

The FDA has approved new labels for Levitra, Viagra, and Cialis to include information on possible eyesight loss (NAION). If you experience a loss in your eyesight, stop using these medicines, and get medical help right away.

Who Should Not Take Levitra?

You should not take Levitra if you:

• Take any medicines called "nitrates"
• Use recreational drugs called "poppers", like amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate
• Have been told by your healthcare professional to not have sexual activity because of health problems

Levitra Health Risks

Levitra can cause blood pressure to drop suddenly to an unsafe level if taken with certain other medicines such as nitrates and alpha-blockers, and recreational drugs that contain nitrates called "poppers." Sudden drops in blood pressure can cause dizziness, fainting, heart attack, or stroke.

Uncommon side effects of Levitra use include:

• An erection that will not go away (priapism)
• Vision changes, such as seeing a blue tinge to objects or having difficulty telling the difference between the colors blue and green

Common side effects of Levitra use include:

• Headache
• Indigestion
• Upset Stomach
• Dizziness
• Flushing
• Stuffy or runny nose

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Professional?

You should tell all your healthcare professionals that you take Levitra. If you need emergency medical care for a heart problem, it will be important for your healthcare professionals to know when you last took Levitra.

Before using Levitra, tell your healthcare professional if you:

• have or had heart problems
• have low blood pressure or have high blood pressure that is not controlled
• have had a stroke
• have or if any of your family members have a rare heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval (long QT syndrome)
• have liver problems
• have kidney problems and require dialysis
• have ever had severe vision loss
• have retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic (runs in families) eye disease
• have stomach ulcers
• have a bleeding problem
• have a deformed penis shape or Peyronie's disease
• have had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours
• take any medicines called "alpha blockers" (alpha blockers are sometimes prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure)
• have blood cell problems, such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia

Can Other Medicines or Food Affect Levitra?

Levitra and certain other medicines can interact with each other. Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take - including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.