Levitra is a medication that is used to treat men with erectile dysfunction. Levitra is the brand name for the generic medication vardenafil, and is sold by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, and Schering-Plough. Vardenafil is also sold under the name Vivanza in some parts of the world. There is also an orally disintegrating form of vardenafil that is sold under the name Staxyn.
Levitra is in a class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors, along with Viagra and Cialis. PDE5 inhibitors were first developed to treat a lung disease called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, but during development it was discovered that this type of drug was beneficial for men who were experiencing erectile dysfunction. For an erection to occur, the blood vessels must relax and allow special tissues in the penis to fill with blood. PDE5 inhibitors such as Levitra work by helping these blood vessels to relax, allowing more blood to flow into the penis.
It is important to know that an erection does not automatically happen when you take Levitra. Sexual stimulation is still needed for the erection to occur.
Levitra is sold as orange-colored tablets. Staxyn is sold as white orally disintegrating tablets. The usual starting dose is 10 mg. Levitra should be taken about one hour before sexual activity. Only one Levitra or Staxyn should be taken per day, and they should not be combined with Cialis or Viagra. Levitra can be taken with or without food.
The most common side effects of Levitra are nausea, headache, flushing, congestion or runny nose, stomachache, or back pain. Levitra can cause dizziness, and care should be taken to stand up slowly if dizziness occurs. Rarely, Levitra can cause sudden loss of hearing or vision. Levitra can also affect color vision, causing everything to be tinted blue, or cause sensitivity to light or blurred vision.
A rare but serious side effect of Levitra is priapism. Priapism is a painful erection that lasts more than 6 hours. Priapism can cause permanent damage to tissues of the penis. If your erection lasts for more than 4 to 6 hours, seek medical help.
Levitra should not be taken at the same time as certain heart medications called nitrates. Nitrates are used to treat heart conditions such as chest pain or angina. Nitrate medications include nitroglycerine, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, and nitroprusside sodium. There are also some street drugs called “poppers” that contain nitrates, such as amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite. Nitrate medications cause the blood pressure to become lower, and so can Levitra. Levitra should not be combined with nitrates because blood pressure can drop dangerously low and even be fatal.
Levitra without prescription in South Africa
In South Africa, Levitra is available both with and without a prescription. The safest way to get Levitra is to get a prescription during a visit with your doctor, and have the prescription filled at a store-based pharmacy or reputable online pharmacy that requires a prescription. Another way to get Levitra is by using an online pharmacy that has their own doctor write you a prescription, if you have previously had a prescription from your own doctor. Still other online sources will sell you Levitra without a prescription, and will even mail the package in opaque packaging without a specific name on the package.
Levitra in online pharmacy
It is always safest to get your Levitra from a reputable store-based pharmacy or reputable online pharmacy that requires a prescription. If you use other internet sources, there is a possibility that you will receive a counterfeit medication that does not even have any active ingredient in it. Also, many prescription medications and even natural herbal products can interact with Levitra, and the best way to make sure you are using Levitra safely is to see your doctor first and fill your prescription at a reputable pharmacy.
Medical Practitioner (General Practice) with postgraduate diplomas in Cape Town. My special interest is erectile dysfunction.