LEVITRA VARDENAFIL - TAKE PRECAUTIONS BEFORE USING THE DRUG

Levitra vardenafil is a prescription only erectile dysfunction treatment medicine. If not taken with care, Levitra can be dangerous for you. Ensure you have taken proper precautions before using Levitra vardenafil.

There are many precautions and warnings to be aware of when taking Levitra. For example, numerous other medications can potentially interact with this drug. Also, Levitra does not provide any protection against sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV. A few other Levitra precautions and warnings include people who should not take Levitra (including those who are taking a nitrate, such as nitroglycerin, for angina), the safety of taking the medicine if you have cardiovascular disease or significant heart disease risk factors, and the risk of a prolonged and sometimes painful erection (lasting longer than four hours) in some people taking the drug. Some precautions and warnings about this drug include the following:

Do not take Levitra if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking Levitra with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting, stroke, or heart attack.

Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or you have:

• heart disease or heart rhythm problems;
• a recent history (in the past 6 months) of a heart attack, angina (chest pain), or congestive heart failure;
• a recent history of stroke or blood clots;
• a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";
• high or low blood pressure;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;
• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
• a stomach ulcer;
• retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
• a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease); or
• if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Levitra.

Levitra can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking Levitra, most of whom also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old. It is not clear whether Levitra is the actual cause of vision loss.Stop using Levitra and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.

FDA pregnancy category B: Although Levitra is not for use in women, this medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Levitra without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Although Levitra is not for use in women, it is not known if vardenafil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

You may need a lower dose of this medication if you are older than 65. Follow your doctor's instructions.