Levitra

Vardenafil (Levitra) is a PDE5 inhibitor used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It can assist men with this disorder in achieving and maintaining an erection during sexual activity. more...

As a PDE5 inhibitor, vardenafil is closely related in both function and marketing to sildenafil and tadalafil; it has a relatively short effective time, comparable to sildenafil.

History

Vardenafil was co-marketed by Bayer Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) under the trade name Levitra. As of 2005, the co-promotion rights of GSK on Levitra have been "transferred back" to Bayer in many markets outside of the United States. In Italy, Bayer markets the product as Levitra and GSK markets the product as Vivanza. Due to European Union trade rules, Parallel Imports made result in the Vivanza branded packs being seen alongside Levitra packs in pharmacies in other EU member states.

Clinical use

Main page: PDE5 inhibitor

Indications and contraindications are as for other PDE5 inhibitors.

Adverse drug reactions

More common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are as per other PDE5 inhibitors and are listed on that page.

Common vardenafil-specific ADRs include: nausea. Infrequent ADRs include: abdominal pain, back pain, photosensitivity, abnormal vision, eye pain, facial oedema, hypertension, palpitation, tachycardia, arthralgia, myalgia, rash, itch, priapism. (Rossi, 2004)

Dose forms

It is available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg doses in round orange tablets. The normal starting dose is 10 mg (roughly equivalent to 50 mg of sildenafil). Vardenafil should be taken 25-60 minutes prior to sexual activity, with a maximum dose frequency of once per day.

In some territories, such as the UK, only certain doses may be available, i.e. 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg.

Reference

• Rossi S (Ed.) (2004). Australian Medicines Handbook 2004. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook. ISBN 0-9578521-4-2

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