Reviewed by Dr Samantha Miller MB ChB
(2017, University of Glasgow)
GMC number: 7561464
Information last reviewed 23/05/2021
Levitra is a medication used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). It contains vardenafil, a type of drug known as a PDE-5 inhibitor. These drugs work by increasing blood flow to the penis. Levitra only works when a man is sexually stimulated and does not increase sexual desire, but allows the man to maintain an erection long enough for sexual activity to take place.
In combination with sexual stimulation, Levitra can help a man achieve and maintain an erection for around 4 to 5 hours after administration.
Levitra should be taken between 25 and 60 minutes before intercourse and usually takes around 25 minutes to have an effect. It may work faster than this, and in clinical studies a third of men achieved a satisfactory erection after just 15 minutes. Taking Levitra with a fatty meal will increase the time it takes to work.
Levitra provides an effective solution to erectile dysfunction in over 60% of patients. If Levitra is not working for you, speak to a doctor for advice on alternative treatments.
Erectile dysfunction can have a psychological cause, such as anxiety or depression. In this case, counselling can be an effective treatment. This approach can take time and Levitra is often recommended for use in the short term, although it is important not to allow treatment to mask the problem.
Different erectile dysfunction treatments are better suited to different people, you may have to try a few different medications and doses before you find out which works best for you. Speak to your doctor about alternatives.
Levitra becomes effective from 15 to 30 minutes after administration, and can continue to work for up to 5 hours. It is recommended that you take it 25–60 minutes before planned sexual activity. For the quickest action, avoid taking Levitra with large or high-fat meals as this can slow down the effects.
Dose |
One tablet, taken 25-60 minutes before sexual activity |
Type of Medicine | PDE5 inhibitor |
Mechanism |
Relaxes muscles around blood vessels, allowing easier blood flow to make it easier to maintain and achieve an erection |
Available Size |
4, 8, 12, 16 or 32 tablets |
Available Strengths |
5mg, 10mg and 20mg |
Active Ingredient |
Vardenafil hydrochloride |
Price |
From £5.90 per tablet |
Side Effects |
Can include congestion, dizziness, flushing, indigestion, sleepiness, vertigo, acid reflux, rash or reddened skin |
A severe allergic reaction to Levitra is rare, unless specifically allergic to any of the active or inactive ingredients. If you experience any of these symptoms, a rash, itching, swelling of the face or throat, and severe dizziness, you might be having a severe allergic reaction. Get emergency medical attention right away if you experience any of the signs or symptoms.
The active ingredient in Levitra is vardenafil.
The inactive ingredients in Levitra are crospovidone, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal anhydrous silica, macrogol 400, hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), ferric oxide yellow (E172), ferric oxide red (E172).
The inactive ingredients of Levitra Orodispersible are magnesium stearate, aspartame (E951), peppermint flavour (E421), mannitol (E421), sorbitol (E420), crospovidone, and silica colloidal hydrated.
If taken 25 to 50 minutes before sexual activity, Levitra can increase your ability to get and maintain an erection from arousal. You still need to become aroused and engage in sexual stimulation to get an erection.
The usual recommended dose of Levitra is 10mg taken about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity, no more than once daily. A lower or higher dose may be prescribed depending on your individual circumstances. Tablets are available at a dosage of 5, 10 and 20mg.
Swallow one Levitra tablet with a glass of water between 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. You should not take more than one tablet per day. Taking too much Levitra increases the risk of side effects.
Your doctor will usually recommend starting with a 10mg dose of Levitra. If you feel that this dose is too strong or two weak, inform your doctor. They may recommend switching to a different dosage or to a different form of Levitra. Levitra orodispersible only comes in a 10mg dose.
Place 1 x Levitra orodispersible tablet on the tongue and allow to dissolve. This should take a few seconds. Tablets should not be dissolved in water or taken with the aid of liquid. Do not take Levitra more than once daily, as this may increase the risk of side effects and can cause back pain. If you feel that your dose is too weak or too strong, speak to your doctor.
Like all medications, Levitra can cause side effects in some patients. If you experience any partial, sudden, temporary or permanent decrease or loss of vision or hearing, stop taking vardenafil and contact your doctor immediately.
Roughly 1 in 10 users may experience headaches while using this medication.
Other common side effects, which may affect up to 1 in 10 people, include:
Uncommon side effects (up 1 in 100 users) include:
Rarely (1 in 1000), users may experience the following:
The following side effects are very rare (less than 1 in 10,000 users) or of an unknown frequency:
Do NOT take Levitra if you:
You should inform your doctor and take particular care when taking Levitra if you:
Before taking Levitra, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications, including those purchased over the counter without a prescription.
Do NOT take Levitra in combination with the following without first consulting your doctor or pharmacist:
Levitra can cause some people to feel light headed or dizzy, or to experience problems with their vision. If you experience any of these side effects, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.
Alcohol can make erectile dysfunction worse. Try cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink to experience the full effects of Levitra.
The root cause of erectile dysfunction is often psychological. Stress is often the problem, so finding ways to manage and reduce stress in your life is important. Anxiety may also contribute, and is often exacerbated further by difficulties with sexual performance. Being open with your partner about sexual anxiety can help, as can maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly and cutting down on alcohol and smoking. You can speak to a doctor or nurse for advice on dealing with anxiety or depression.
Levitra can be purchased in two forms. If you have difficulty swallowing the tablets, you can try orodispersible tablets which can be dissolved in the mouth. However, orodispersible Levitra is only available as 10mg tablets, while the capsules are available at a dosage of 5, 10 and 20 mg. If the orodispersible version is not working for you, you may need to switch to the capsules for a higher dose.
Different ED medications are better suited to different people, and your doctor will be able to help you find the one that is right for you. Like Levitra, Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil) are PDE-5 inhibitors that work by increasing blood flow to the penis in the event of sexual stimulation. Unlike Levitra and Viagra, which can be effective for up to 5 hours, Cialis can remain effective for up to 36 hours. Spedra (avanafil) is a new, fast-acting variant that can take as little as 15 minutes to become effective and has a similar duration of action to Viagra and Levitra.
Levitra will not cure erectile dysfunction, the root cause of which is often psychological. However, it can help to relieve the stress and anxiety associated with ED.
Levitra only works in combination with sexual stimulation, increasing blood flow to the penis when man is aroused. While Levitra can be effective for up to 5 hours after administration, it does not stimulate arousal and so will not give you an erection for hours.
While Levitra and Viagra work in similar ways, they are not the same medication. Levitra contains the active ingredient vardenafil, while Viagra contains sildenafil. Levitra can act slightly quicker than Viagra, with reports of up to a third of men achieving an erection within just 15 minutes of taking Levitra.
Levitra is a prescription-only medication and cannot be purchased over the counter in the UK.
Levitra is not intended for use in women and there is little evidence to suggest that it has any effect on female sexual pleasure.
Levitra does not increase libido or stimulate sexual arousal. It works when a man becomes sexually aroused by increasing blood flow to the penis, allowing him to maintain an erection for longer.
The generic version of Levitra, referred to as vardenafil, became available in the UK in October 2018. While it can be cheaper than branded Levitra, it is important that you only purchase it from a registered online pharmacy, such as Dr Felix, as unlicensed versions of this medication exist and can be dangerous.
Prices from:
Generic Viagra
Generic Cialis
Over the counter treatment
Works in 15-30 minutes
Effective for up to 4 hours
For daily or intermittent use
Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil
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