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Levitra Side Effects

by on July 2, 2012

Summary

The most commonly reported side effects associated with using Levitra (Vardenafil) include headaches, nausea, back pain, dizziness and facial flushing. While these side effects are not normally serious and often don’t require medical attention, it is important to contact your doctor if any of these symptoms persist or get worse.

Common Levitra Side Effects

The most commonly reported side effects that have been reported by patients who make use of Levitra include:

  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Facial flushing
  • Inflammation of sinus passages
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Nausea
  • Indigestion
  • Upset stomach
  • Headaches
  • Back pain
  • Diarrhea

Not everyone experiences any of these side effects while usingLevitra. While most of these side effects are not serious or life-threatening, it is important for the patient to advise their doctor if any of them persist for longer than a few hours at a time or if they become worse.

Serious Levitra Side Effects

While it doesn’t happen to many patients, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to Levitra. If the patient experiences any of the following symptoms while using this medication, they need to seek immediate medical attention:

  • Tightness in the chest
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Hives
  • Swelling of the throat, lips, neck, face or tongue
Other serious side effects may also include:
  • Memory loss
  • Vision changes
  • Prolonged and painful erections
  • Severe headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Numbness of a limb
  • Seizures
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Sudden loss of or decrease in hearing
  • High blood pressure
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Unexplained skin rashes
  • Muscle pain (Myalgia)
  • Sudden cardiac death in extreme cases

Preexisting Conditions

Cardiac Patients

While Levitra is normally quite safe for healthy patients, those who suffer from any form of cardiac disease should always consult with their doctor before using it. Those who have suffered from strokes, angina or any other heart condition should always exercise caution when using Levitra. This is because of the effect that Levitra has on the arteries. Patients who have experienced a heart attack within the past 6 months should also not make use of Levitra.

Because of the fact that only men make use of Levitra, they are the only ones who will experience any side effects as a result of using it. Patients who have a history of liver or kidney disease, stomach ulcers, any form of heart condition or heart disease, any blood cell disorders such as low blood pressure, leukemia, multiple myeloma or sickle cell anemia, hearing or vision problems or bleeding disorders of any type need to consult with their doctor before making use of Levitra. Patients who suffer from certain eye conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa should also not make use of this medication as it may result in further vision problems or in extreme cases, vision loss.

If the patient has been diagnosed with a condition known as long QT syndrome or if anyone in their immediate family suffers from it, they may also not make use of Levitra. Patients who are older than 65 years of age should also exercise caution when using this medication.

Other Medications

While not every form of medication will react with Levitra, it is always important for the patient to advise the doctor about any other medications that they may be using if it is prescribed to them. This includes any vitamin or herbal supplements. The following forms of medication have been reported to cause adverse side effects when used in conjunction with Levitra:

  • Uroxatral
  • Hytrin
  • Cardura
  • Heart arrhythmia medications such as Quinidine, Pronestyl and Cordarone
  • Grapefruit juice
  • Nitroglycerin tablets or ointment such as Nitro-Bid and Nitrostat
  • Patches or spray which contain Nitroglycerin (Nitrolingual and Nitro-Dur)
  • Protease inhibitors such as Viracept, Agenerase, Norvir and Lexiva
  • PDE5 Inhibitors (oral erectile dysfunction medications) such as Viagra, Cialis or Staxin
  • Antibiotics  and antifungals (Sporanox, Ketek, Biaxin)

When taking Levitra, it is important for patients to refrain from drinking alcohol as much as possible. It is extremely important for patients to discuss all preexisting conditions and all current medications that they are using with their doctor before using Levitra because certain drug interactions can result in serious side effects. If the patient experiences any of the abovementioned side effects or conditions, it is best for them to consult with their doctor immediately.

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