Erectile dysfunction is a frustrating issue that affects men of all ages. Right now, we are lucky to have a variety of safe solutions to this problem in the form of convenient pills. Levitra is among the most popular medications for the treatment of ED. It’s reliable, effective, and its generic version allows you to enjoy your sexual life without straining your budget. To learn more about how to take these pills, precautions, dosage, and more, continue reading.
Erectile dysfunction is a condition when a man is unable to achieve erections on a consistent basis due to certain psychological or physical factors. Generic Levitra is one of drug created to help deal with this unfortunate problem. Levitra belongs to the group of medications called PDE5 inhibitors and it is designed to help men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction achieve erections. The active ingredient in this medication is Vardenafil and the way it works is by promoting the relaxation of blood vessels during arousal. As a result, a man taking Levitra experiences improved blood circulation in the pelvic area and firmer erections. In addition to that, a better supply of blood causes erections to last longer leading to more satisfying sexual intercourse. It should be said that Generic Levitra is not a drug that permanently cures ED. It is a tool that brings temporary results for several hours after you take a pill. To overcome ED, it’s important to get to the underlying causes and address them with the help of qualified specialists.
Branded and Generic Vardenafil: Is There a Difference?
A lot of people these days choose generic drugs over branded ones because there is more understanding that you don’t need to pay more for the same quality. Generic Levitra is the one that is manufactured by a secondary pharmaceutical company using the same original ingredients and their proportions. The process of secondary production is possible once a patent held by an original developer of a formula passes an expiration date. Drug patents are not issues to be permanent and generally expire after 18-20 years so that other companies can start producing the same product. In the case of Generic Levitra, this drug is just as safe and effective as its branded version. It is manufactured using the same components and with adherence to strict safety requirements. The lower price is achieved by the fact that secondary producers do not invest in extensive marketing campaigns and also avoided spending money on the initial formula development.
When is Levitra Prescribed?
Erectile dysfunction in men can be caused by a variety of issues, both psychological and physiological. Levitra is a drug that is prescribed when a man cannot achieve an erection due to certain physical health problems. Some of the conditions that can lead to the development of ED include the following:
- High levels of cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Certain cardiovascular problems
- Clogged blood vessels
- Metabolic syndrome, and more
The mentioned problems cause disruptions in blood circulation, and Levitra is used to temporarily boost the supply of blood. Levitra can be used either when a person is in the process of overcoming the mentioned health problems or in the cases when these conditions are chronic. Depending on one’s health, ED is an issue that can develop at any age but it’s especially common with older men.
How is Vardenafil Consumed?
Being a PDE5 inhibitor, Levitra has the same principle of work as other popular drugs to treat ED. The drug is designed to be used only when needed and before sexual intercourse. It means that on days when you don’t have sex, you need to skip taking a pill.
A pill of Levitra should be taken about 30 minutes before sex so that it has time to absorb in your system. You need to swallow a pill whole with plenty of water and without crushing or chewing it before consumption. It is best to take a pill on an empty stomach or after a light meal to avoid postponing the results.
After taking Levitra, it continues to be active in the body for approximately 5 hours. If you get sexually stimulated and aroused in this time frame, you can get more than one erection. It’s important to note that you should not exceed the dosage of a single pill over a period of 24 hours.
Dosages
The exact dosage of Levitra should be determined by your medical specialist based on your previous use of ED medications, your health, age, and more. Levitra comes in various concentrations of an active ingredient – 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg. If it’s your first time taking Levitra, it’s generally recommended to start with the lower dosages of 2.5 mg to 5 mg to access your reaction. In case you don’t get the results and there are no contraindications, your doctor may increase the dosage to the maximum 10 mg. Men over the age of 60 and those who have more severe health issues are usually not recommended to exceed the dosage of 5 mg.
Taking more than one pill a day doesn’t increase your chances of getting an erection but you put yourself at risk of developing side effects. For this reason, you should always follow the guidelines provided by your medical advisor.
Contraindications to Taking
Before taking any drug, including Levitra, you need to make sure that it’s safe for you and there are no contraindications. You need to provide your medical specialist with a detailed medical history and any other drugs, supplements, and vitamins that you may be taking.
There are several contraindications to taking Levitra and they include:
- Allergy to active and inactive components in pills
- If you have recently undergone surgery and your body is in the process of healing
- Unmonitored and unstable blood sugar levels
- Degenerative eye disease
- Severe problems with kidney
- A severe form of angina
This is not a complete list of health problems that can prevent you from taking Levitra safely. A decision of prescribing Generic Levitra should be made by a medical specialist after a physical examination and assessing your medical history. Some additional laboratory tests may also be recommended to make sure that you can consume this drug with no negative consequences.
Potential Drug Interactions
Drug interactions should never be taken lightly, as simultaneous consumption of certain drugs can not only make them ineffective but in some cases cause dangerous side effects. Before taking Levitra, you should provide your doctor with a list of any prescription and non-prescription drugs and supplements that you take. By doing this, you can ensure that your doctor has a complete picture and can provide you with the right recommendations and make adjustments if necessary.
Some of the medications that commonly interact with Levitra are:
- Riociguat
- Alpha-blockers
- Any medications and recreational drugs containing nitrates
- Certain protease inhibitors
- CYP3A4 inhibitors
- Some QT-prolonging agents
- Some antihypertensive drugs
Drugs in these categories can cause side effects from mild to severe when taken along with Generic Levitra. This is not a full list of medications that can cause negative reactions when taking Levitra, so you should always check with your medical advisor before starting a treatment.
Additional Precautions
Some additional precautions when it comes to taking Levitra include such:
- Always make sure your drug comes from a reliable pharmacy
- Avoid consuming a large or fatty meal before taking the drug as you can minimize the effects of Generic Levitra
- Do not use this drug after its expiration date
- Avoid drinking grapefruit juice before and after taking a pill as your drug can become less effective
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption as it can cause side effects or prevent you from getting results with Levitra
- Store your drugs in proper conditions
- Levitra should not be taken by females, children, and males under the age of 18
It’s important to follow these precautions to make sure that you get the maximum benefit from taking Generic Levitra and there is no risk for your health.
What Are the Side Effects?
If you follow all precautions and you have no contraindications to these pills, Generic Levitra is generally considered a safe drug and side effects are rare. Still, it’s essential to know potential side effects so you can act quickly and get medical help if necessary. The first adverse reaction to mention is an allergy. If you start developing symptoms, such as swelling in any parts of the body, itching, rash, unusual skin reactions, hives, or difficulty breathing, you should get medical help immediately.
Mild adverse reactions experienced by some men taking Generic Levitra include such:
- Excessive sweating
- Nausea
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Flushing in the face or chest
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
When these reactions are mild, they either signal an individual sensitivity to components or you need an adjustment of the dosage. You should still inform your doctor so that they can take appropriate measures.
Severe side effects require urgent medical care. You should not hesitate and get help if you notice the following reactions upon taking Generic Levitra:
- Problems with vision
- Vomiting
- A painful erection that doesn’t go down for hours (can lead to scarring)
- Intense muscle ache
- Irregular heartbeat
- Numbness in any parts of the body
These symptoms are rare but if you notice any of them and suspect that they may be a result of taking Generic Levitra, stop taking pills and see a doctor.
Proper Storage of Levitra
Once you purchase this drug, it’s essential to store it properly. One of the main reason men develop side effects from taking Generic Levitra is improper storage that negatively affects the pills. The drug should be stored in its original packaging away from the sources of heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Generic Levitra should be stored at room temperature. If you notice anything suspicious about pills or any changes in their color, smell, or shape, do not consume them. Also, it’s important that the drug is stored out of reach of children and pets.
Questions and Answers from Customers
- What if I don’t get results after taking a pill?
It is recommended to take Levitra up to 7 times on different occasions to see if the drug is suitable for you. In some cases, you may not get a reaction from the first try. If you still don’t get the results after several tries, consult your doctor to choose another drug.
- How long does the effect of Levitra last?
On average, you can get erections during 5 hours after taking a pill.
- Do I need to take Generic Levitra every day?
It can be taken every day but if you are not sexually active, you need to skip taking a pill. Generic Levitra is not a drug to cure ED so it has to be used only on days when you want to have sex.
- Does Generic Levitra boost libido?
Not directly. There are no ingredients in the pills to increase libido but a lot of men notice better sex drive because of their improved sexual performance.
- Can I combine Levitra with other ED drugs?
No. Combining Generic Levitra with other drugs that treat ED can cause overdosing and increase the chances of side effects.
- Does taking Levitra prevent STDs?
No. The drug is used only to help achieve erections and it has no influence when it comes to preventing any STDs.
- What happens if I don’t have sex after taking Generic Levitra?
If you don’t get sexually aroused after taking a pill, you won’t notice any effects of this drug and you won’t get an unexpected erection.
- Can I take another pill the same day if I don’t get the results?
No. To avoid side effects, you should take a maximum of one pill over the course of 24 hours.
- Can I drink alcohol while taking Levitra?
It is recommended to avoid excessive alcohol consumption while taking Generic Levitra. One glass of wine or an approximate equivalent of another alcohol should not affect the potency of pills.
- Can Levitra prevent pregnancy?
No. This drug doesn’t reduce the chances of pregnancy and you need to use contraceptives if you want to avoid unplanned pregnancy.
- What is the best time to take Generic Levitra?
You can take it at any time during the day or night but you need to make sure you do this at least half an hour before intercourse.
- What are the inactive ingredients present in Levitra?
The inactive components you can find in Generic Levitra are:
- crospovidone
- magnesium stearate
- microcrystalline cellulose
- titanium dioxide (E171)
- colloidal anhydrous silica
- macrogol 400
- hypromellose
- ferric oxide red (E172)
- ferric oxide yellow (E172)
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is intended solely for information purposes by the individual or entity, and is not to be considered as a diagnosis or an instruction for treatment without prior consultation by a specialist. Usage of this article as treatment method is prohibited, the website is not responsible for practical application of these data. Always consult a specialist before treatment.