What is Vardenafil?
Vardenafil famously known by brand name Levitra™, is a prescription medication that treats male erectile dysfunction (ED).
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man is unable to get or sustain an erection. It usually happens because the arteries that carry the blood to the penis are too narrow. Vardenafil increases blood flow to the penis.
Vardenafil action is very similar to that of sildenafil, or Viagra, but Viagra lasts between 2 and 4 hours, while Levitra lasts 5 hours.
Recommendations for use of Vardenafil 20mg
Vardenafil 20mg is administered orally for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). This monohydrochloride salt of vardenafil is a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5).
Vardenafil is used to treat male sexual function problems (impotence or erectile dysfunction-ED). In combination with sexual stimulation, vardenafil works by increasing blood flow to the penis to help a man get and keep an erection.
Do not take more than 1 dose or more than 20mg in 24 hours, or combine with other erectile dysfunction drugs.
Dosage and direction of taking Vardenafil 20mg
Read the Medication Guide and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Vardenafil and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Vardenafil comes as a tablet and a rapidly disintegrating (dissolves in the mouth and is swallowed without water) tablet to take by mouth
Vardenafil 20mg is usually taken as needed, with or without food, 60 minutes before sexual activity.
The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment including other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Vardenafil usually should not be taken more often than once every 24 hours.
Take vardenafil exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Missed Dose of Vardenafil 20mg
The dose is usually taken 1 hour before sexual activity.
Do not take Vardenafil without having sexual activity.
Overdose of Vardenafil 20mg
If you think you have taken more than the required dose contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
How does Vardenafil 20mg?
During a penile erection, the penis fills with blood. The blood vessels that supply the penis with blood expand, or dilate, and the vessels that take blood away from the penis contract. The two large chambers in the penis, known as the corpus cavernosa, fill with blood. As the blood accumulates in the penis, an erection results.
Vardenafil belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. A PDE5 inhibitor stops PDE5 from constricting the arteries. By relaxing the arteries, vardenafil enhances blood flow when a man is sexually aroused. The active ingredient works on the chain of reactions within the penis during arousal. When a male is sexually aroused, nitric oxide is released into his penis, and this triggers a chain of reactions. This causes an enzyme, guanylate cyclase, to produce cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP regulates the contraction and dilation, or expansion, of blood vessels that carry blood to and from the penis. The chemical reaction causes the vessels that supply the penis to dilate, while those removing blood from the penis contract.
Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5), another enzyme breaks down or destroys cGMP. When cGMP is destroyed, the blood vessels return to their normal size, effectively ending the erection. Vardenafil stops PDE5 from destroying cGMP. In this way, it allows cGMP to work for longer. As a result, it helps prolong an erection.
Precautions before taking Vardenafil 20mg
Do not take Vardenafil; if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate) and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite (“poppers”). Taking Vardenafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting, stroke or heart attack.
A small number of patients have had a sudden loss of eyesight after taking Vardenafil. This type of vision loss is caused by decreased blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye. It is not clear whether Vardenafil is the actual cause of such vision loss. Sudden vision loss with Vardenafil use has occurred most often in people with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old.
Before taking Vardenafil, tell your doctor if you have:
heart disease or heart rhythm problems
a recent history (in the past 6 months) of a heart attack, stroke or heart rhythm disorder
congestive heart failure
high or low blood pressure
coronary artery disease
liver disease
kidney disease
a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma or leukemia
a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia
a stomach ulcer
retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye)
a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease)or
if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Vardenafil or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Vardenafil is NOT approved for use in women and kids.
About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Taking Vardenafil together with certain medicines or products may cause serious, life-threatening side effects.
Side Effects of Vardenafil 20mg
Vardenafil is a well tolerated and free from significant side effects in the vast majority of men who are prescribed it. Vardenafil increases the blood flow which can have adverse affects on other organs or parts of the body, although these affects are usually mild. Most men who experience side effects carry on treatment regardless.
About 1% of men have notice a bluish or yellowish discolouration of their vision while taking Vardenafil which wears off after a few hours. Therefore, is not considered as a dangerous side effect.
Side effects that you should report to your doctor, if you have:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face (Flushing), lips, or tongue
changes in hearing
breathing problems
Visual disorders/distortion - changes in vision, blurred vision, trouble telling blue from green color
chest pain
fast, irregular heartbeat
Priapism: prolonged painful erections, lasting more than 4 hours, which have the potential to cause permanent damage to the penis.
seizures
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention but if continues or get worst call your doctor, if you have:
diarrhea or indigestion
flushing which is redness of the skin, typically over the cheeks or neck
headache which is very common and can be treated with simple painkillers such as paracetamol
dizziness, if affected it is recommended not to drive or operate machinery.
nasal congestion or stuffy or runny nose
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Using this medicine does not protect you or your partner against HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases.
Interaction with Vardenafil 20mg
Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies. Do not start, stop and change the dosage of any medicine without your doctor's permission.
Vardenafil may make you dizzy. Consumption of alcohol or marijuana can increase the risk of drowsiness. Do not operate machinery, drive a car or do anything that require alertness until you can do it safely. Understand how this medication affects you.
If you have the following conditions, you should not take Vardenafil without talking to your doctor:
Taking medicines called nitrates like amyl nitrite, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerin
Taking or intend to take methscopolamine nitrate
Taking riociguat (to treat high blood pressure in the lungs)
Taking Cisapride (gastroprokinetic agent)
Low or high blood pressure such as nitroprusside
Allergies or reactions to past ED treatments
Recent heart attack (within 6 weeks) or suffer from angina (heart pain on exertion) or any form of heart disease
History of strokes or mini-strokes (transient ischaemic attack)
History of vision problems caused by circulation problems
History in the family of rare degenerative eye disease
Serious kidney (renal) or liver disease
Peyronie's disease; angulation or deformity of the penis
Alpha blockers, such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, tamsulosin, and terazosin
Leukaemia, multiple myeloma or sickle cell disease
Bleeding disorders (such as haemophilia)
Current active stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer or gastric ulcer)
Lactose intolerant (tablets contain lactose)
Norvasc, in Amturnide, in Tekamlo (amlodipine)
Antifungal medication such as itraconazole and ketoconazole
Anticoagulant such as warfarin
Certain barbiturates such as butalbital and secobarbital
Beta-blockers, such as atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, and propranolol
Erythromycin
nevirapine
HIV protease inhibitors such as atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and tipranavir
Medications for seizures such as carbamazepine, phenytoin
Antibiotic used for bacterial infections such as rifabutin
rifampin
St. John's wort
If you are taking any of these medicines, tell your doctor immediately. Taking these medicines with Vardenafil could create the potential for serious and/or life-threatening side-effects or stop Vardenafil from working properly.
Storage of Vardenafil 20mg
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store at 15°C - 30°C (59°F - 77°F); protect drug from excessive light, humidity, and temperature over 30°C (86°F)
Keep Vardenafil tablets in the container that they came in and keep the container tightly closed.
Throw away capsules that are no longer needed or expired (out of date).
Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help to protect the environment.
Vardenafil should not be used after the given expiration date.
Scientific Information about Vardenafil 20mg or Generic Levitra
Formula: Vardenafil | C23H32N6O4S
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