Vardenafil (generic Levitra)

Erections are primarily achieved through blood flow. Vardenafil works by helping to relax the blood vessels in your penis, allowing blood to flow into your penis when you get sexually excited. Vardenafil does not have an effect on your sexual desire but will improve your erection when you become sexually aroused. Studies have also concluded that Vardenafil is the most effective erectile dysfunction medication for diabetics.

Although currently unlicensed for the use, Vardenafil is occasionally used to treat premature ejaculation; for the prolongation of an erection before ejaculation.

Take Vardenafil about 30 to 60 minutes before you plan to have sex. Vardenafil will begin to have an effect in about 30 minutes and last around 4 to 6 hours; Vardenafil can help you get an erection if you are sexually excited. It can be taken with food, unlike Viagra (Sildenafil), but if you take Vardenafil after a high-fat meal (such as a cheeseburger or pizza), the medicine may take a little longer to start working. Vardenafil can help you get an erection when you are sexually excited but you will not get an erection just by taking it alone. Also, you are advised not to drink excessive amounts of alcohol before taking Vardenafil in order to get maximum benefit from taking your medication as drinking alcohol can temporarily affect your ability to get an erection.

Grapefruit juice should not be taken with Vardenafil as it can interfere with the usual effect of the medicine.

Vardenafil is available in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg. Take one tablet 30-60 minutes before sexual activity. The recommended starting dose of Vardenafil is 10 mg. If this dose is highly effective, subsequent doses can be reduced to 5mg. If repeated trials of a 10mg dose prove ineffective, without side effects, the dose can be increased to 20mg.

Side effects are uncommon, but can include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Facial flushing
• Headache
• Increased sweating
• Nasal congestion

It’s a very rare side effect, but if you have a prolonged erection for more than 4 hours then you need to contact your doctor immediately.

Interactions :-

• Nitrates interact very adversely with all phosphodieasterase type 5 inhibitors like Spedra, Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, sildenafil, Tadalafil and Vardenafil. They can cause a FATAL lowering of blood pressure and should NEVER be used together.

Nitrates include medications like GTN spray, Isosorbide Mononitrate and Nicorandil for angina. Also, the recreational drugs called "poppers" should be avoided.

You should always read the patient information leaflet before starting treatment