Levitra Can Be A Powerful Alternative to Other ED Meds

Levitra® (vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate) was co-developed by Bayer Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline as a challenger in the competitive male impotence pill market that has been dominated by Viagra® since its launch in 1998. 

It is similar to both Viagra® and Cialis®. They are all PDE-5 inhibitors that relax the muscles and blood vessels in the penis, resulting in a natural erection.

You can see how Levitra compares to Viagra here.

Levitra was introduced in Europe in early 2003 and received FDA approval for use in the United States late in 2003.

Levitra Trials and Research

Clinical trials carried out on over 6,000 men with impotence problems showed that Levitra started taking effect in as little as 16 minutes. However, the average time span was between 30 minutes and 60 minutes. The effects were shown to last for up to 5 hours.

The drug was also found to be effective in men who had experienced serious and long-term impotence, and who had not reacted favorably to Viagra. Most men who participated in the clinical trials said that the quality of their erections improved, as did their overall sexual performance.

Unlike Cialis, said to be the most impressive of all the new ED drugs, and one of the newest competitors in the impotence market, the effectiveness of Levitra can actually be slowed by eating a rich or fatty meal beforehand.

As such medical specialists suggest you wait at least 3 hours after consuming a meal before taking the pill.

Precautions & Potential Side Effects

If you are taking medication that contains nitrates (including nitroglycerin) you MUST NOT take Levitra. Nitrates are contained in medicines used for the treatment of angina (chest pain) and other heart conditions.

It is available only by prescription. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following medical conditions:

• heart or blood vessel problems
• heart attack or stroke
• kidney or liver problems
• any disease or deformity of the penis
• unusually low or high blood pressure
• stomach ulcers
• sickle cell anemia or leukemia
• a rare eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa
• any disease or illness you think may put you at risk if you take Levitra

Remember that it does not offer you protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, nor will it act as a contraceptive. Protective measures should be taken to guard against these possibilities.

It's not intended for use by women, children or men who don't have an existing impotence problem. It's also not advisable to take it in conjunction with any other impotence medication or treatment. So if you are taking Viagra or Cialis, don't take Levitra as well. Ask your doctor about weaning off of one before you try another.

Are there any side effects?

All impotence drugs come with side effects unfortunately. Levitra is no different. You may notice headache, facial flushing, heartburn, flu syndrome, dizziness, a stuffy nose, mild nausea or bak pain. They are usually mild and short-lived. However, consult your medical specialist if the symptoms persist or if you have any concerns.

It has been known on rare occasions to cause priapism, a condition that causes an erection to persist for longer than usual. If your erection lasts for more than two to three hours or if the erection becomes painful, consult a doctor immediately.

Can you buy Levitra online?

These days you can order most medications online.  If you are interested in trying Levitra, there are some good sources.

Some offer free consultations, great discounts and licensed pharmacists and physicians. They have many options as far as ordering and you can choose from a wide selection of ED medications.

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