Treating Erectile Dysfunction With Levitra

Levitra (generic name, vardenafil) is a prescription drug that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) - which is an inability in men to achieve penile erection. This embarrassing situation of failing to maintain an erection until ejaculation is often referred to as impotence. Whatever its underlying physiological and psychological causes are, this condition was once a taboo subject.

Thanks to recent heavy advertisements on drugs in this category, and much publicity of high-interest stories, taking remedial medications such as Levitra has become a more accepted norm.

Levitra is an FDA-approved oral medication that is available only by prescription. It works by relaxing your muscles to increase blood flow to the penis. The extra flow of blood will engorge the penis thus helping men get a harder erection. Moreover, Levitra works by preventing blood from flowing out of the penis. This helps you keep a longer-lasting erection. Generally, after the sexual activity ceases, the erection will go away. If the penis persists in staying erect for more than 4 hours, seek medical attention to avoid long-term injury.

Certain other medications can work to inhibit the elimination of enzymes that are stimulated by Levitra. People who are on medications such as erythromycin, ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), indinavir (Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir) are recommended to take lower dosages of Levitra. In addition, the time between each dosage may need to be extended. Normally a minimal initial dosage of 10 mg per day is recommended.

Common Levitra adverse drug reactions include nausea. Infrequent ADRs include abdominal pain, back pain, photosensitivity, abnormal vision, eye pain, facial oedema, hypertension, palpitation, tachycardia, arthralgia, myalgia, rash, itch, and priapism. (Rossi, 2004). The side effects reported in clinical trials include headache, flushing and stuffy or runny nose. In extremely rare cases, report to doctor immediately, if you have a sudden decrease or loss of vision, in one or both eyes.

However, what is special about Levitra is that people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and even diabetics, have been found to be safely taking this medication. These health factors don't seem to impede these men from enjoying increased sexual activities after taking it. As with taking any new medications, it is always best to ask your doctor about drug interactions with your existing medications, and with your present medical conditions.

So before taking Levitra, talk to your doctor if you have or have had a history of heart disease such as irregular heart rhythms or angina, or congestive heart failure, or heart attacks. Make your doctor aware of any history of stroke, blood clots, blood pressure problems, kidney disease, liver disease, blood cell disorder, bleeding disorder, stomach ulcers, retinitis pigmentosa, penis deformity, or if, for health reasons, you cannot engage in sexual intercourse.

If any of those conditions apply to you, your physician may choose one of three options. First, he or she may decide to seek an alternative to Levitra all together. He or she may also reduce the regular dosage for your case, or continually observe and test your health during treatment.

What Do You Need to Know About Levitra

Viagra is now not the sole cure to impotence. A number of medications have come up that claim to curb this disease called erectile dysfunction. These drugs belong to the class of PDE-5 inhibitors. The drugs promise effects like increased blood flow to the penis and better penis enlargement. Some even claim to be herbal. All these medicines act in different ways to heighten the sexual pleasure.

Impotence occurs when the male is unable to sustain the erection long enough to enjoy the sexual intercourse. In some cases, it is difficult even to achieve an erection. This condition can be caused due to a physical injury or due to a psychological trauma. The shock affects the nerves and reduces the blood flow in the penis.

Levitra is one of the drugs that help to control this disorder. This FDA approved drug has been tested on thousands of men in about fifty clinical trials. The results were positive and showed that the medicine could treat diabetes and prostrate cancer as well. However, the drug also causes certain side effects. The most common reactions are headache, flushing and a runny nose, but all the reactions are mild and disappear quickly. Some uncommon but dangerous effects can be a prolonged erection that continues for hours together and inability to differentiate between the colors blue and green.

Levitra works in a simple manner. It relaxes the muscles and the blood vessels in the penis, thereby inducing an erection. The drug has to be taken orally once a day. One dosage produces an erection long enough for the patient to have sexual intercourse. An important fact to know about the drug is that it does not stimulate sexual urges, nor does it cause an automatic erection. The patient still needs to have a sexual arousal before achieving an erection. It is also not a permanent cure for impotence. The effect of the drug subsides after the intercourse.

Levitra is said to be better than its predecessor Viagra. Another such drug is Cialis. The effect of this drug is supposed to be strong enough to last for 36 hours at a stretch.

The advent of these drugs has proved to be a boon to the victims of erectile dysfunction. The drugs were such a breakthrough, that they earned their inventors a Noble Prize. A prescription is required to purchase these drugs. Prescriptions can also be filled on websites and the drugs bought through online medical stores. A relevant question here is how long can a person thrive on these drugs. It is advisable to consult physicians for frequent usage of the drugs. One can also go for other surgical treatments like penile injections and vacuum tubes.

The condition of erectile dysfunction is hard to cure. The PDE drugs have a made a difference to millions of sufferers. While some enlarge the penis and others relax muscles, the effect of these drugs is the same. An important thing to note is that the advent of these drugs is fairly recent and the long term effects are unknown.