USES
Levitra is a prescription
medicine taken by mouth for the
treatment of erectile dysfunction
(ED) in men. It can help a majority
of men with erectile dysfunction
get and keep an erection when they
become sexually excited. HOW
TO TAKE
Take Levitra as your
doctor prescribes. Levitra comes
in different doses (2.5 mg, 5
mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg). For most
men, the recommended starting
dose is 10 mg. Take Levitra no
more than once a day. Doses should
be taken at least 24 hours apart.
Some men can only take a low dose
of Levitra because of medical
conditions or medicines they take.
Your doctor will prescribe the
dose that is right for you.
- If you are older than 65
or have liver problems, your
doctor may start you on a lower
dose of Levitra.
- If you are taking certain
other medicines your doctor
may prescribe a lower starting
dose and limit you to one dose
of Levitra in a 72-hour (3 days)
period.
Take 1 Levitra tablet about 1
hour (60 minutes) before sexual
activity. Some form of sexual
stimulation is needed for an erection
to happen with Levitra. Levitra
may be taken with or without meals.
Do not change your dose of Levitra
without talking to your doctor.
Your doctor may lower your dose
or raise your dose, depending
on how your body reacts to Levitra.
If you take too much Levitra,
call your doctor or emergency
room right away.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
The most common side
effects with Levitra are headache,
flushing, stuffy or runny nose,
indigestion, upset stomach, or
dizziness. These side effects
usually go away after a few hours.
Call your doctor if you get a
side effect that bothers you or
one that will not go away.
PRECAUTIONS
Before taking Levitra,
tell your doctor about all your
medical problems, including if
you:
- have heart problems such as
angina, heart failure, irregular
heartbeats, or have had a heart
attack. Ask your »doctor
if it is safe for you to have
sexual activity.
- have low blood pressure or
have high blood pressure that
is not controlled
- have had a stroke
- or any 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 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
- have blood cell problems
such as sickle cell anemia,
multiple myeloma, or leukemia
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Tell your doctor about
all the medicines you take including
prescription and non-prescription
medicines, vitamins, and herbal
supplements. Levitra and other
medicines may affect each other.
Always check with your doctor
before starting or stopping any
medicines. Especially tell your
doctor if you take any of the
following:
- medicines called nitrates
- medicines called alpha-blockers.
These include Hytrin® (terazosin
HCl), Flomax® (tamsulosin
HCl), Cardura® (doxazosin
mesylate), Minipress® (prazosin
HCl) or Uroxatral® (alfuzosin
HCl).
- medicines that treat abnormal
heartbeat. These include quinidine,
procainamide, amiodarone and
sotalol.
- ritonavir (Norvir®) or
indinavir sulfate (Crixivan®)
- ketoconazole or itraconazole
(such as Nizoral® or Sporanox®)
- erythromycin
- other medicines or treatments
for ED
NOTES
Do not share this medicine
with others for whom it was not
prescribed. Do not use this medicine
for other health conditions. Keep
this medicine out of the reach
of children. If using this medicine
for an extended period of time,
obtain refills before your supply
runs out.
Levitra is not a hormone or aphrodisiac,
it works only when a man is sexually
stimulated.
STORAGE
Store at room temperature
between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30
degrees C) away from light and
moisture. Keep this and all medications
out of the reach of children. |