How It Works

Adverse events and withdrawals associated with the treatment were also measured.

Brand Name	Active Ingredient	Medication Type	Typical Dosage	Available Forms
Levitra	Vardenafil	PDE5 Inhibitor	5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg	Tablets
Staxyn	Vardenafil ODT	PDE5 Inhibitor	10 mg	Orally Disintegrating Tablets
Vidalista	Tadalafil (comparison)	PDE5 Inhibitor	2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg	Tablets

Two reviewers independently assessed studies for eligibility, with any disagreements resolved by consensus.

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MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Current Contents and the Cochrane Library were searched (from January 2001 to November 2003), as were the buy cheapest levitra proceedings of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medical Products; the search terms were reported. In addition, the Science Citation Index was used for frequently cited papers, conference proceedings and other relevant publications were searched, the bibliographies of relevant papers were checked and experts were contacted. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of at least 12 weeks' duration were eligible for inclusion. Trials comparing vardenafil with placebo were eligible for inclusion.

Possible Side Effects of Vardenafil

Most of the included trials used a fixed dose, with treatment arms of 5, 10 or 20 mg. Two trials used a flexible dose starting with 10 mg. The duration of treatment was 12 weeks in most studies; two studies had a longer treatment duration (26 weeks). Trials of men with ED were eligible for inclusion. Most of the included trials were of white, general population groups with single trials of diabetic men, men with radical retropubic prostactectomy and men with sildenafil nonresponse histories. Trials were assessed for appropriateness of randomisation and blinding, description of withdrawals and drop-outs, and the use of intent-to-treat analysis.

• Vardenafil requires a prescription; self-medicating is unsafe.
• Take Levitra approximately 60 minutes before intimacy.
• Do not take more than one dose per 24 hours.
• Symptoms like priapism need immediate medical attention.
• Levitra may cause nasal congestion or upset stomach.
• Combining vardenafil with other ED drugs increases risks.
• Alcohol can hinder the effectiveness of Levitra.
• Levitra is designed for occasional use, not daily.
• Precautions include monitoring for vision changes.
• Seek medical advice if you experience allergic reactions.

For continuous outcomes, the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated for individual studies; the weighted relative risk and 95% CI were calculated for dichotomous outcomes. For adverse events and withdrawals, the percentage of men achieving each outcome according to treatment was calculated, along with the weighted relative risk and 95% CIs.

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For each of the outcomes of interest, the trials were pooled in a meta-analysis using a random-effects model. The trials were pooled according to the dose of vardenafil used (5, 10, 20 mg and flexible dose). Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using a significance level of P less than 0.01. Nine RCTs (6,809 men in total) were included.

Levitra’s Market Status and Why the Brand Was Discontinued

The most common co-morbid conditions were hypertension, diabetes mellitus and depression. Trials were included if they used all of the following outcome assessments: the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (EF-IIEF), Sexual Encounter Profile-Question (Q2. Were you able to insert your penis in your partner's vagina? Did your erection last long enough for you to have successful intercourse?) and the Global Assessment Question (GAQ; Has the treatment you have been taking over the past 4 weeks improved your erections?). The first three outcomes were used as the primary measures of efficacy. Eight trials reported that they were randomised and double-blind, though only two reported the method of randomisation. None reported whether there was concealment of treatment allocation, and only one provided details of blinding. Six described withdrawals and drop-outs, and eight described results based on an intention-to-treat principle (although the latter was reported to be inadequately described and applied).

Database entry date

If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider. Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more. Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews [Internet].

Are you currently using Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)?

York (UK): Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (UK); 1995-. This review assessed the safety and efficacy of vardenafil, compared with placebo, for erectile dysfunction (ED). The authors concluded that vardenafil is superior to placebo in the treatment of symptoms of ED, although more research is required on its effectiveness and safety in different groups of patients. The authors' conclusions appear to be supported by the evidence presented, but the reliability of them is unclear. To assess the efficacy and safety of vardenafil in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction (ED). All doses of vardenafil led to statistically significant improvements in the EF-IIEF domain score in comparison with placebo. The WMD was 5.06 (95% CI: 3.67, 6.45) for a 5-mg dose, 6.16 (95% CI: 5.25, 7.07) for a 10-mg dose, 6.91 (95% CI: 6.11, 7.70) for a 20-mg dose, and 7.45 (95% CI: 3.97, 10.92) for a flexible dose.

• Levitra is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals.
• It is available in both tablet and generic forms.
• The drug can be prescribed for men aged 18 and above.
• Levitra's active ingredient is vardenafil hydrochloride.
• It helps achieve erections suitable for sexual activity.
• Taking fatty meals may delay the drug's onset.
• Levitra does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
• Use with caution if you have heart conditions.
• It is essential to inform your doctor of all medications.
• Vardenafil does not cure ED; it manages symptoms.

There was no evidence of statistically significant heterogeneity (P=0.11).

Authors' conclusions

Stop using this medication and call your care team right away if you have a loss of sight in one or both eyes. Contact your care team right away if the erection lasts longer than 4 hours or if it becomes painful. This may be a sign of serious problem and must be treated right away to prevent permanent damage. If you experience symptoms of nausea, dizziness, chest pain or arm pain upon initiation of sexual activity after taking this medication, you should refrain from further activity and call your care team as soon as possible. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of side effects.

ED Prescriptions for $1-2 Per Pill

Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible: Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome): This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Keep out of the reach of children and pets. The findings were similar for the other two primary outcomes, with vardenafil showing a significant improvement when compared with placebo: there was a 26% (95% CI: 22.89, 29.11) increase in the success rate for penetration and a 29.8% (95% CI: 26.47, 33.06) increase in the success rate for maintaining erection.

Assessment of study quality

You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you.

How do the side effects compare for vardenafil and tadalafil?

Do not share this medicine with others. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine. If you notice any changes in your vision while taking this medication, call your care team as soon as possible. The P-values from the tests of heterogeneity (P=0.05 and P=0.06, respectively) were above the cut-off point for significance, as defined by the authors.

Side Effect	Frequency	Severity	Notes
Headache	Common	Mild to Moderate	Usually subsides over time
Flushing	Common	Mild	Occasionally persistent
Nasal Congestion	Common	Mild	Temporary
Dizziness	Less Common	Mild	Especially when standing up
Dyspepsia	Less Common	Mild	Stomach upset

There was also a significant benefit with vardenafil over placebo for the secondary outcome GAQ.

Medication	Active Ingredient	Onset of Action	Duration	Typical Dose	Cost
Vardenafil (Levitra)	Vardenafil	25-60 min	Up to 5 hours	10 mg	Moderate
Sildenafil (Viagra)	Sildenafil	30-60 min	4-6 hours	50 mg	Moderate
Tadalafil (Cialis)	Tadalafil	30-60 min	Up to 36 hours	10-20 mg	Higher

There was evidence of statistical heterogeneity for this outcome.

• Vardenafil Levitra is a prescription medication for erectile dysfunction.
• It works by increasing blood flow to the penis.
• Vardenafil is marketed under the brand name Levitra.
• It typically takes about 25-60 minutes to work.
• The effects of vardenafil last up to 4-5 hours.
• It should be taken on an empty stomach for faster results.
• Common side effects include headache and flushing.
• Vardenafil is contraindicated with nitrates.
• Do not consume alcohol with vardenafil.
• Always follow your doctor's dosage instructions.

There was no statistically significant association between vardenafil and serious cardiovascular events or death. Vardenafil was associated with a higher rate of treatment-emergent adverse events, with headache, flushing, rhinitis-sinusitis and dyspepsia occurring at least twice as often.

Section snippets

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. VARDENAFIL (var DEN a fil) treats erectile dysfunction (ED). It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, which helps to maintain an erection.

How does Levitra help with these illnesses?

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. They need to know if you have any of these conditions: Eye or vision problems, including a rare inherited eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa Heart disease, angina, a history of heart attack, irregular heart beats, or other heart problems History of blood diseases, such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia An unusual or allergic reaction to vardenafil, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label. The dose is usually taken 1 hour before sexual activity. You should not take this dose more than once per day. All adverse effects were more frequent at higher doses, compared with placebo, with incidence rates higher in the flexible-dose studies than in the fixed-dose studies.

The Bottom Line

Store liquid levitra between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date. To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired: Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location. If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet.

Do you need a prescription for Levitra or generic vardenafil?

If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. It may not cover all possible information.