Levitra® (vardenafil) is an oral medication for ED that starts working in about 60 minutes and lasts up to five hours.
Levitra
*image for illustrative purpose only
Levitra
*image for illustrative purpose only
Levitra® is a brand-name medication that contains the active ingredient vardenafil, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. Vardenafil works the same way as Levitra and has the same benefits and risks, per the FDA.
This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and works similarly to sildenafil (Viagra®) and tadalafil (Cialis®).
Vardenafil is typically taken as needed, about 60 minutes before sexual activity, and its effects can last up to five hours. Common side effects include headaches, flushing, nasal congestion, and dizziness. People with cardiovascular conditions and those taking nitrates should use caution with this drug.
Vardenafil hydrochloride tablets are indicated to treat:
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor
Most common adverse reactions reported (≥2% of patients) are:
Headache
Flushing
Nasal congestion
Indigestion
Inflammation of the sinuses
Flu syndrome
Dizziness
Increased creatine kinase
Nausea
Back pain
Levitra® is no longer available on the market, but its generic, vardenafil, is. The cost of generic Levitra may vary depending on factors such as your insurance plan, the dosage, quantity, and where you buy it.
Without insurance, the average cost of generic Levitra is between $500 and $1,400 for a 30-day supply. However, coupons or discount cards may be available to bring down the price. Some insurance companies may not cover the cost of generic Levitra if they don’t consider it medically necessary.
You can get a prescription for generic Levitra after being evaluated by your primary care provider or a specialist who can determine if the medicine is right for you based on factors like your symptoms and medical history.
Administration with nitrates and nitric oxide donors
Administration with guanylate cyclase (GC) stimulators, such as riociguat
Drug interactions: Nitrates, alpha-blockers, antihypertensives
Cardiovascular effects: Patients should not use vardenafil hydrochloride if sex is inadvisable due to cardiovascular status
Risk of prolonged erection: In the event that an erection lasts more than 4 hours, the patient should seek immediate medical assistance
Effects on the eye: Patients should stop use of vardenafil hydrochloride and seek medical attention in the event of sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, which could be a sign of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
Sudden hearing loss: Patients should stop vardenafil hydrochloride and seek medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss in hearing
Alpha-blockers: Caution is advised when PDE5 inhibitors are co-administered with alpha-blockers
QT prolongation: Patients with congenital QT syndrome or taking class IA or III antiarrhythmics should avoid using vardenafil hydrochloride
There are other medications prescribed to treat ED. Some of these drugs may be better suited to you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Levitra, talk with your provider to learn more about other medications that may work well for you.
Other oral medications that can treat ED include:
Stendra® (avanafil)
Vardenafil
Viagra® (sildenafil)
Chewable ED meds available through Hims that contain one or more of the active ingredients in Cialis and Viagra
Penile injection medications for ED include:
Caverject® or Edex® (alprostadil)
Papaverine
Phentolamine
Combination medications such as Bimix, Trimix, and Quadmix
As an alternative or addition to ED medications, your healthcare provider may suggest therapy for mental health issues that may be contributing to ED and/or lifestyle changes to support sexual health, like following a healthy diet, exercising, and cutting back on alcohol.
Other treatments for ED include a topical gel, a penis pump with or without a constriction ring, penile implant surgery, and testosterone therapy (if low testosterone is a contributor).
Levitra’s active ingredient vardenafil typically starts working within about one hour of taking the medication, with sexual stimulation.
The typical generic Levitra dose is 10 mg, but the medication is also available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 20 mg doses. Your healthcare provider can help you decide which dose is best for you.
Levitra and Staxyn contained the same active ingredient, vardenafil, and they were both FDA-approved to safely and effectively treat erectile dysfunction. They came in different formulations, though: Staxyn was an orally disintegrating tablet (meaning it dissolved on the tongue), while Levitra was a traditional tablet that must be swallowed. Both the Staxyn and Levitra brand names have been discontinued by their respective manufacturers, but their generic forms and active ingredient are still available.
Levitra and Viagra are both FDA-approved prescription oral medications to treat erectile dysfunction. Levitra’s active ingredient is vardenafil, while Viagra’s is sildenafil. While they’re both PDE5 inhibitors that work similarly to improve ED, Levitra has a slightly longer half-life, meaning it stays in the body for around four to five hours per dose, while Viagra lasts about four hours.
*This information is from the vardenafil hydrochloride label used by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Vardenafil may be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient vardenafil.
LEVITRA® (vardenafil HCl) Tablets. (n.d.). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2003/21400_levitra_lbl.pdf
VIAGRA® (sildenafil citrate) tablets, for oral use. (2014). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/20895s039s042lbl.pdf