Levitra Warnings: 5 Handling Precautions You Should Know

Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team

Published on June 09, 2022

Let's not sugarcoat it: experiencing erectile dysfunction sucks. 

When your own body turns against you in those passionate moments when you need it the most, it can be embarrassing, stressful, and anxiety-inducing for any man.

Luckily, there are several ED prescription medications on the market that can help avoid this situation. You've probably heard of Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil), but have you heard of Levitra (vardenafil)?

Depending on your body and lifestyle, Levitra might fit you the best. But before you take it, you should know all the Levitra (vardenafil) warnings and precautions that come with it.

In this article, we'll discuss:

• What Is Levitra, and How Does It Work?
• What Are the Levitra Warnings and Precautions?
• Interactions With Other Medications
• Raising the Dosage
• Health Issues that Can Be Affected By Levitra
• What are the Levitra Side Effects?
• Who Can't Take Levitra?
• Key Takeaways

Let's dive in.

What Is Levitra, and How Does It Work?

Levitra (also known by the generic name vardenafil) is an FDA-approved drug. Like Cialis and Viagra, Levitra is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor.

To understand how PDE5 inhibitors stop erectile dysfunction, it's important to understand why it happens in the first place. To get an erection, blood flows to the penis when a man is aroused. To allow the blood to enter the penis, certain muscles relax, which allows blood to flow into the penile arteries. 

UPGUYS Products: Order Generic Levitra Online in Canada

ED happens when an insufficient amount of blood flows into the penis.

There are several reasons why men might experience ED, including:

• Aging
• Obesity
• Drugs
• Excess alcohol
• Smoking
• Stress or other emotional reasons
• Cardiovascular disease
• Lack of exercise
• High cholesterol
• High blood sugar (diabetes)
• High blood pressure

PDE5 enzymes are a key culprit in erectile dysfunction because they break down certain substances that give you an erection. Blocking PDE5 allows the muscles in your penis to relax, letting blood flow into the penis more easily.

Read more: Levitra Cost

What Are the Levitra Warnings and Precautions?

Like any other medication, you should understand the Levitra precautions before you decide to take it. Let's take a look at five Levitra handling precautions:

1- Interactions With Other Medications

Levitra (as well as other ED medications like Viagra and Cialis) is known to interact negatively with nitrate drugs that are often prescribed for chest pain or heart problems. 

Both ED medications and nitrates cause blood vessels to expand in size. Taking both can dramatically increase this effect, causing a sharp drop in blood pressure. This can lead to serious heart problems, like a stroke or a heart attack. 

Some other things that may cause a negative interaction with Levitra include medications for:

• Antidepressants
• Diclofenac
• Antifungals
• High blood pressure
• Prostate disorder
• Heart rhythm medicine
• HIV/AIDS medicine
• Other erectile dysfunction medications

Grapefruit products are also known to interact with vardenafil and its effects. It is also recommended to avoid drinking alcohol with the drug.

Make sure you speak to a doctor about all of the medications you are currently taking before starting Levitra.

UPGUYS Products: Order Vardenafil Online in Canada

2- Raising the Dosage

The typical recommended dosage for Levitra is 10 milligrams (mg) taken orally about 60 minutes before having sex. Depending on your situation, the dose can be raised to 20mg or lowered to 5mg. 

The maximum recommended dosage is once a day. You should never take more than the recommended amount (it won't help you get "more" erect). 

If you think you took too much Levitra, call a doctor or your local Poison Control center immediately.

3- Health Issues that Can Be Affected By Levitra

There are several medical conditions that Levitra may not be compatible with. Make sure to consult a doctor if you've ever had any of the following conditions:

• Heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or heart failure
• Long QT syndrome
• Seizures
• Stomach ulcers
• Hearing or vision problems
• Bleeding disorders such as hemophilia
• Liver or kidney disease
• Physical deformity of the penis, such as Peyronie's disease

Vardenafil has a small chance of decreasing blood flow to the eye, causing sudden vision loss. 

If you're asking yourself, "should I take Levitra?" you should speak to your doctor first, as most of these are case-by-case scenarios.

4- What are the Levitra Side Effects?

Levitra side effects have been reported from common to serious.

Common side effects may include:

• Back and muscle pain
• Headache or dizziness
• Stuffy nose or sinus pain
• Upset stomach
• Flushing 

Stop using vardenafil and call a doctor if you experience:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of hands, feet, or ankles
• Seizure
• Erection lasting 4 hours or longer
• Painful erection
• Ringing in your ears or sudden hearing loss
• Lightheadedness 

Stop using the Levitra medication and get emergency help if you experience:

• Heart attack symptoms, including nausea, sweating, chest pain, or pain in your jaw or shoulder
• Vision changes or sudden vision loss
• Erection lasting longer than 4 hours

This is not the complete list of side effects. Read the complete monograph here.

5- Who Can't Take Levitra?

Levitra should not be taken by anyone under the age of 18. It should also be avoided by anyone with allergies to ED medication or similar medicines. 

Women, especially those who are pregnant, should not take vardenafil. 

Key Takeaways

That's everything you need to know about the Levitra warnings and precautions. You should always speak with a doctor first before taking any medication for erectile dysfunction.

You've officially taken the first step to getting your confidence back by learning more about a treatment option that could help you. You're not alone in this journey.

1 in 10 men experiences some version of ED in his lifetime. If you want to take control of the situation and get back to your normal life as quickly and discretely as possible, there are several options you can take.

Make sure to check out our solutions for erectile dysfunction today!