Levitra (Vardenafil) - The Complete Guide

What is Levitra used for?

Levitra is an MHRA-approved medication for treating male erectile dysfunction.

Levitra was introduced to the market in 2003 and has remained among the most widely used and popular types of erectile dysfunction medications available.

For Levitra to work you have to be sexually stimulated as it is used to help achieve and maintain an erection. It does this by increasing blood flow to the penis.

Who can and cannot take Levitra?

Your doctor or healthcare provider will assess whether you are eligible to take Levitra for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction. 

There is also some information available in the Levitra patient information leaflet that warns of the health conditions and existing drugs and medications not suitable for Levitra medication.

The health conditions include:

• Heart conditions

• Conditions affecting the shape of your penis

• Illnesses that cause erections that won't go away

• Stomach ulcers

• Bleeding disorders

The medications include:

• Other erectile dysfunction medications

• Nitrates

• HIV medications

• Antifungal medicines

• Antiviral medicines

• Some antibiotics

• Alpha-blockers

• High blood pressure medications

• Riociguat

You must tell your doctor about all of the medications, health conditions, experienced side effects, and allergies you have before they can decide if Levitra is a suitable option for you.

How to take Levitra?

A Levitra tablet should be swallowed whole at least 25-60 minutes before you plan on engaging in sexual activity.

As it can take anywhere between 25-60 minutes to work, you should give it an adequate amount of time before engaging in sexual activity.

Is Levitra effective?

Levitra is usually a safe and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, with 70% of men reporting that it has worked for them. 

Not only is Levitra effective in most cases but it is also usually well-tolerated with only 1 in 10 men experiencing very common side effects and 1 in 10,000 experiencing very rare side effects. 

What is the dosage for Levitra?

Levitra tablets come in doses of 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg.

The standard dose for Levitra is 10mg to be taken as and when needed but no more than once a day. 

This can be increased or decreased by your doctor depending on your medical history, experience of side effects, and the effectiveness of the treatment.

If you have found that the 10mg treatment hasn’t worked and you have been deemed medically safe to do so by your GP, then they may increase your dosage to 20mg. 

5mg doses are usually prescribed if you have a medical condition or to help control side effects you may have experienced.

What to avoid when taking Levitra?

Although you can take Levitra with or without food you should avoid taking it with heavy or high-fat meals as this can delay the effects of the medication. 

Alcohol and grapefruit juice can also interfere with Levitra's effectiveness so you should avoid drinking these whilst on Levitra medication. 

How long does Levitra last?

Levitra usually lasts for up to 5 hours but this can vary between each man. 

You should always stick to the dosage of Levitra prescribed to you by your GP or healthcare provider. Your dosage doesn’t affect the amount of time Levitra lasts.

What are the side effects of Levitra?

Although Levitra is usually well tolerated, it’s always best to be cautious and aware of the possible side effects before starting any medication. 

There are a broad range of side effects that range from very common to very rare so it’s always best to bring up any of your side effect concerns to your GP.

Some of the most common symptoms are:

• headaches 

• dizziness

• indigestion 

• blocked or runny nose 

• flushing

Where can I buy Levitra?

Once you have received a private or NHS prescription for Levitra medication from your GP, you can collect your Levitra medication from your nearest pharmacy.

You can also have your prescription delivered straight to your door as a one-off prescription or as a repeat prescription, with the online NHS prescription delivery service available from Pharmacy2U.