Drug Uses
Levitra is an oral therapy that works by dilating blood vessels in the penis and thereby causing more blood to rush into it. This leads to a stronger erection. Levitra is prescribed to cure Erectile Dysfunction in men.
How it is taken
Levitra must be taken at least one hour prior to sexual activity with or without food. Sexual stimulation is necessary for the drug to work and cause an erection. The drug should not be taken more than once a day.
Missed Dosage
Since Levitra is taken only when required (prior to sexual activity), the chances of a missed dosage are nil.
Overdose
While the actual symptoms of a Levitra overdose are unknown, typical symptoms may include chest pain, back pain, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, abnormal vision, and swelling of the ankles or legs. Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect an overdose.
Always discuss any prior medical conditions that you may have with your doctor before starting any medication. You should discuss with your doctor if you have had a stroke, a heart attack, palpitations (irregular heartbeats), have a history of heart problems, a rare heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval (long QT syndrome), coronary artery disease, angina (chest pains), Blood pressure (high or low), liver problems, kidney problems, blood problems (sickle cell anemia or leukemia), bleeding disorders, stomach ulcer, Peyronie's disease (deformation of the penis) and degenerative eye disease (e.g., retinitis pigmentosa)
You may be asked to stop using the drug or may require a dosage adjustment if you have any of the above mentioned conditions/problems.
Avoid using the drug if you are pregnant because it is unknown whether the drug is secreted in breast milk.
Although the drug is in the Pregnancy FDA Category B, which means that it is not likely to be harmful to an unborn baby, women are advised not to use Levitra.
Side effects may be seen in elderly patients and they will be more sensitive to the drug.
Some of the symptoms of a Levitra overdose include a runny/stuffy nose, headaches and flushing.
Vision changes including having a blue tinge or distinguishing between colors (blue, red, green) are also some of the symptoms.
However, these side effects usually subside after a while. You should seek medical attention if the side effects do not go away even after 48 hours or become bothersome
In extreme cases, people may get Priapism which is an erection that refuses to go away. If you have an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours, then seek medical attention immediately for it may cause irreparable damage to your penis including the ability to have an erection henceforth.
These are not all the side effects of Levitra. You may consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.