Generic Levitra is a potency regulator; a medical product for erectile dysfunction treatment. This drug competes with the well-known Viagra.
Composition and Pharmaceutical Form
The active ingredient is vardenafil, a colorless solid, a selective inhibitor of an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5). This ED drug is produced in the form of round biconvex light orange tablets, on one side of which the figure showing the amount of active substance is indicated, on the other – a sign in the form of a cross designating manufacturing company – German pharmaceutical company Bayer. Levitra tablets contain 5, 10 or 20 mg of the active ingredient, they are packed in 1,2,3,4 blisters.
Pharmacologic Effect
Enzyme PDE-5 prevents the expansion of penile vessels and thus weakens erection. Vardenafil blocks this enzyme action, which helps relax smooth muscles of blood vessels and increase blood flow to penile tissues. As a result, there comes a long and strong erection.
But erection comes only if there is sexual stimulation because only during sexual excitement of the nerve endings release of nitric oxide takes place, which activates enzyme guanylate cyclase, which is responsible for a chain of processes necessary to eliminate erectile dysfunction symptoms.
It is important to remember the main principle of Levitra’s action – it does not create an erection, it strengthens it on the background of sexual stimulation. The action of this product is seen already 20-25 minutes after administration and in most cases remains up to 5-6 hours.
Indications
According to the instructions to Levitra, the main indication for its use is erectile dysfunction, which manifests itself as a partial or insufficient erection or its complete absence. This drug can be used even in cases of severe sexual dysfunction. According to the research, even in the face of complete impotence, after a month of taking the drug, almost all patients showed a restoration of male strength.
According to the instructions, Levitra can also be shown to men who have premature ejaculation problem. As practice shows, the drug is able to prolong sexual intercourse by delaying ejaculation. The sexual intercourse with the previous intake is several times longer than the sexual act without such an ED drug.
Dosage
According to the instruction, Levitra is taken orally regardless of the meal, this pill is washed down with a glass of water, not chewed. The drug is taken 30-60 minutes before the planned sexual intercourse once a day. Its effect persists for 6 hours, for this reason, even if Levitra is taken 4 to 6 hours before the sexual intercourse, then during it, an erection will be strong enough. The drug has the ability to cause a permanent erection, even for 8-10 hours.
The instruction for use recommends starting taking the drug with an initial dose of 10 mg. For men over 65 years, as well as men with moderate disorders of liver and/or kidneys, Levitra initial dose is 5 mg, which is necessary in case of good tolerability can be increased to 10 mg.
The maximum daily dosage should not exceed 20 mg. Such dosing is acceptable with a mild effect after taking 10 mg of the drug, with diabetes or prostate cancer.
Due to individual characteristics of each male body, as well as personal tolerability a suitable dose is often determined by the most male trial and error method (of course, within reasonable limits). But in any case, before starting to use it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Contraindications
According to the instructions, Levitra is contraindicated for intake in case of:
- individual intolerance of the main or additional drug components;
- women and children under 18;
- men suffering from serious cardiovascular diseases (arterial hyper- and hypotension, angina pectoris, etc.);
- patients with phenylketonuria;
- patients who have recently suffered a stroke, myocardial infarction or other diseases after which sexual activity is prohibited;
- simultaneous application with nitrate preparations.
Special Instructions
Generic Levitra effectiveness does not decrease with simultaneous alcohol and/or fatty foods intake.
The instruction recommends to take the drug with special care with:
- aortic narrowing;
- left ventricular obstruction;
- curvature and penile deformation;
- priapism;
- cavernous fibrosis;
- insufficient kidney and liver function;
- peptic ulcer;
- degenerative retinal diseases.
In patients with liver disease, a result obtained after applying Levitra is slightly lower than in relatively healthy men.
Side Effects
Levitra, as a rule, is well tolerated by body, side effects are insignificant or mild. Approximately 5-7 men out of a hundred on the background of Levitra use suffer from the following side effects:
- headache;
- face reddening;
- nasal congestion.
Less common side effects are:
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- drowsiness.
Extremely rarely side effects are:
- swelling;
- photophobia;
- low back pain;
- increased or decreased blood pressure;
- visual impairment;
- epistaxis;
- other disorders.