Generic Levitra 40 mg (Vardenafil tablet)

Manufacturer	Centurion Laboratories
Active Ingredient	Vardenafil
Starts In	30 minutes to 1 hour
Last Long	Up to 5 hours
Type	Erectile Dysfunction

How Levitra 40mg Works

It is a PDE 5 inhibitor that relaxes the muscles present in the walls of the blood vessels and increases the blood flow to the penis. An enzyme known as PDE 5 causes a constriction in the arteries and does not let blood flow properly. For an erection to occur, the production of cGMP is necessary. cGMP is responsible for carrying blood from and to the penis. PDE 5 destroys cGMP and does not let erection occur properly. Levitra 40 mg blocks the action of PDE 5 and enables the production of cGMP. This allows the blood to flow easily to the penis. A pressure is created in the penis that leads to an erection.

Uses of Levitra 40mg

It is used for the treatment of the following problems:

1. Erectile Dysfunction (ED) – a condition that causes an inability to achieve or maintain an erection while having sexual intercourse.

Dosage

Levitra 40 mg is recommended to be taken orally with water. The dose is recommended by the doctors only after proper diagnosis and understanding of the health condition. A single pill is advised to be taken in 24 hours. You should not consume more than one pill in 24 hours. The effects of this pill last for around 5 hours. The effects may vary depending upon factors such as age, metabolism, health conditions, etc.

Missed Dose: An on-demand dosing schedule is generally followed. This means that the medicine is taken as and when required. Therefore, you are less likely to miss a dose.

Overdose: In case of an overdose, serious side effects can occur. An overdose of the drug should be strictly avoided at all costs. If such a case arises, seek medical attention immediately.

Important Advisory

Before you take Levitra 40 mg, tell your doctor:

1. If you are allergic to Vardenafil or certain medications.
2. If you suffer from diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, angina, etc.
3. If you take nitrates for chest pain.
4. If you have a history of stroke, heart attack, or congestive heart failure.
5. If you suffer from seizures.
6. If you have a physical deformity of the penis or Peyronie’s.
7. If you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia.
8. If you have stomach ulcers.
9. If you suffer from blood sickle anemia, leukemia, or multiple myeloma.
10. If you have vision or hearing problems.

Side Effects

Some common side effects of Levitra 40 mg include:

1. Dizziness
2. Nausea
3. Headaches
4. Flushing
5. Stuffy Nose
6. Blurred vision
7. Back Pain
8. Vomiting
9. Chest Pain
10. Hearing loss

In some rare cases, side effects such as a persistent erection of more than 4 hours and sudden vision loss in one or both eyes can occur. If problems persist for long, contact your doctor immediately.

Drug Interactions

If you take any herbal, OTC, recreational, or any other drugs to treat your illnesses or for any other purposes, let your doctor know about them. These drugs can affect the way this medication works.

1. Alpha-blockers such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, and terazosin
2. Amlodipine
3. Antibiotics such as clarithromycin
4. Antifungal medications such as ketoconazole
5. Amiodarone
6. Beta-blockers such as atenolol
7. HIV Protease inhibitors such as indinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir
8. Nitroglycerin
9. Efavirenz
10. Other medicines for ED

Interaction with alcohol

Alcohol is known to deteriorate your health and cause major side effects. Avoid consuming alcohol along with this medicine.

Storage Instructions

1. Retain the medication in its original packaging.
2. Store in a cool and dry place.
3. Keep it away from the reach of children and pets.
4. Do not use the medicine past its expiration date.

Substitutes Available

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I take 40 mg Levitra?

Ans. The dose of Levitra depends on the efficacy and tolerability. The 40 mg tablet is recommended to be taken once per day. Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose depending on how well you respond to the medication.

How long do the effects of Levitra 40 mg last?

Ans. The effects of this medicine typically last for around 5 hours. Depending upon your health condition and factors such as age, metabolism, lifestyle, etc., this may vary.

What is the shelf life of Levitra 40mg?

Ans. Like all other erectile dysfunction drugs, Levitra 40 mg has a shelf life of 2 to 3 years. You should always store your pills properly in an airtight container and away from direct heat and sunlight.

References

• Ormrod D, Easthope SE, Figgitt DP. Vardenafil. Drugs Aging. 2002;19(3):217-27; discussion 228-9. doi: 10.2165/00002512-200219030-00005. Erratum in: Drugs Aging 2002;19(11):886. Erratum in: Drugs Aging. 2003;20(2):140. PMID: 12027779. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00002512-200219030-00005
• Wang H, Guo B, Huang Z, Zhao X, Ji Z. Vardenafil in the Treatment of Male Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Adv Ther. 2021 Feb;38(2):1301-1313. doi: 10.1007/s12325-020-01559-9. Epub 2021 Jan 11. PMID: 33432539. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12325-020-01559-9
• Ashour AE, Rahman AF, Kassem MG. Vardenafil dihydrochloride. Profiles Drug Subst Excip Relat Methodol. 2014;39:515-44. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-800173-8.00009-X. PMID: 24794912. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B978012800173800009X?via%3Dihub
• Keating GM, Scott LJ. Vardenafil: a review of its use in erectile dysfunction. Drugs. 2003;63(23):2673-703. doi: 10.2165/00003495-200363230-00010. PMID: 14636086. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00003495-200363230-00010
• Crowe SM, Streetman DS. Vardenafil treatment for erectile dysfunction. Ann Pharmacother. 2004 Jan;38(1):77-85. doi: 10.1345/aph.1D019. PMID: 14742800. Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1345/aph.1D019
• Sofikitis N, Kaltsas A, Dimitriadis F, Rassweiler J, Grivas N, Zachariou A, Kaponis A, Tsounapi P, Paterakis N, Karagiannis A, Skouros S, Giannakis I, Champilomatis I, Paschopoulos M, Daphnis D, Giakoumakis I, R Gabales M, M Chua JB, Lantin Iii PL, Mamoulakis C, Takenaka A. The Effect of PDE5 Inhibitors on the Male Reproductive Tract. Curr Pharm Des. 2021;27(23):2697-2713. doi: 10.2174/1381612826666200226121510. PMID: 32101115. Available from: https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/104866
• Pyrgidis N, Mykoniatis I, Haidich AB, Tirta M, Talimtzi P, Kalyvianakis D, Ouranidis A, Hatzichristou D. The Effect of Phosphodiesterase-type 5 Inhibitors on Erectile Function: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Sep 7;12:735708. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.735708. PMID: 34557099; PMCID:PMC8452927. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/26/3/777/29274/Vardenafil-a-New-Phosphodiesterase-Type-5 

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