Vardenafil (Generic Levitra)

Before taking vardenafil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: penis conditions (e.g., angulation, fibrosis/scarring, Peyronie's disease), history of painful/prolonged erection (priapism), sickle cell anemia , blood system cancers (e.g., leukemia or myeloma), eye problems (e.g., retina diseases like retinitis pigmentosa), kidney disease , liver disease, bleeding disorders, active stomach ulcers, heart problems (e.g., recent heart attack or serious arrhythmia within past 6 months, heart failure , coronary artery disease with unstable angina , aortic stenosis , idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, congenital QT prolongation), recent stroke within past 6 months, very high or low blood pressure . This drug may make you dizzy or cause vision changes; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug. This drug is not indicated for use in women or children.

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The breakdown and elimination of vardenafil from the body is inhibited by erythromycin , ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), indinavir (Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir). Therefore, these drugs increase the concentration of vardenafil in the blood. If these drugs are being used at the same time as vardenafil, the dose of vardenafil should be reduced in order to avoid side effects from vardenafil.

Vardenafil reduces the concentration of ritonavir and indinavir and may reduce the effect these drugs. Vardenafil increases the heart rate and also exaggerates the blood pressure lowering effects of nitrates (e.g. nitroglycerine). In patients who take nitrates for chest pain ( angina ), vardenafil could cause chest pain by increasing heart rate and lowering blood pressure. Therefore, patients with angina should not use vardenafil. It also exaggerates the blood pressure lowering effects of alpha-blocking drugs, e.g. terazosin (Hytrin), and should not be used by individuals who also use alpha-blockers.

The most common side effects of vardenafil are facial flushing (reddening), headaches, stomach upset, diarrhea , flu like symptoms and nausea. Vardenafil also may cause chest pain, low blood pressure , blurred vision and changes in color vision, abnormal ejaculation and priapism (painful erection).  Rare cases of sudden loss of hearing have been reported with phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as vardenafil, sometimes associated with ringing in the ears and dizziness.  If changes in hearing occur, patients should discontinue their vardenafil and seek immediate medical attention.