What Is Levitra?
Levitra is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men.
It contains vardenafil, a medicine from the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor class, usually abbreviated to PDE5 inhibitor.
Erectile dysfunction means difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection firm enough for satisfactory sexual activity.
Levitra is available as:
- 5mg film-coated tablets
- 10mg film-coated tablets
- 20mg film-coated tablets
- 10mg orodispersible tablets
The orodispersible tablet dissolves in the mouth rather than being swallowed in the same way as a conventional tablet.
Levitra only works when sexual stimulation is present.
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What Is the Active Ingredient in Levitra?
The active ingredient in Levitra is vardenafil.
Vardenafil belongs to the same general family of erectile dysfunction medicines as:
- sildenafil in Viagra;
- tadalafil in Cialis; and
- avanafil in Spedra.
Although these medicines all inhibit PDE5, they differ in:
- available strengths;
- recommended timing;
- duration;
- metabolism;
- interactions; and
- individual response.
Generic vardenafil medicines contain the same active substance but are supplied under different brands or manufacturers.
How Does Levitra Work?
During sexual stimulation, chemical signalling inside the penis increases levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).
cGMP helps smooth muscle in erectile tissue relax.
This allows increased blood flow into the penis, helping produce an erection.
An enzyme known as PDE5 breaks cGMP down.
Vardenafil inhibits PDE5.
By reducing the breakdown of cGMP, Levitra supports the natural erectile response during sexual stimulation.
Levitra does not:
- cause an erection automatically;
- increase sexual desire directly;
- act as an aphrodisiac;
- directly increase testosterone; or
- work without sexual stimulation.
Who May Be Suitable for Levitra?
Levitra is authorised for adult men aged 18 years or older with erectile dysfunction.
Whether it is appropriate depends on factors such as:
- cardiovascular health;
- blood pressure;
- current medicines;
- kidney function;
- liver function;
- previous ED treatments;
- eye conditions; and
- other medical history.
A consultation is particularly important because some medicines and cardiovascular conditions make PDE5 inhibitor treatment unsuitable.
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How Do You Take Levitra?
The usual Levitra dose is commonly 10mg taken around 25–60 minutes before sexual activity.
Depending on effectiveness and tolerability, the dose may be adjusted to:
- 5mg, or
- 20mg.
The maximum recommended dosing frequency is generally once per day.
Always follow the instructions provided with your specific product and the dose prescribed for you.
What Levitra Strength Should I Take?
The most appropriate strength varies between individuals.
Levitra 5mg
This is the lowest film-coated tablet strength.
A lower dose may be considered in people who:
- are more sensitive to side effects;
- use interacting medicines;
- have certain kidney or liver conditions; or
- otherwise require a reduced dose.
Levitra 10mg
10mg is the commonly recommended starting strength for many men.
Levitra 20mg
20mg is the highest authorised film-coated tablet strength and may be considered where 10mg does not provide an adequate response and a higher dose is medically suitable.
Taking more does not automatically improve results and can increase adverse effects.
What Is Levitra Orodispersible 10mg?
Levitra is also authorised as a 10mg orodispersible tablet.
An orodispersible tablet is placed in the mouth, where it dissolves before being swallowed.
It can provide an alternative to conventional film-coated tablets for some patients.
The orodispersible formulation should be used according to its own specific product instructions rather than assumed to be interchangeable with other strengths or formulations.
How Long Before Sex Should I Take Levitra?
Levitra is generally taken approximately 25–60 minutes before sexual activity.
Individual onset varies.
Factors that may affect the response include:
- a high-fat meal;
- alcohol;
- individual metabolism;
- anxiety;
- other medicines; and
- level of sexual stimulation.
If Levitra does not appear to work immediately, do not take another dose outside the prescribed schedule.
Does Food Affect Levitra?
Yes.
A particularly high-fat meal can delay the onset of vardenafil film-coated tablets.
This means it may take longer for Levitra to become effective after a large or fatty meal.
A delayed effect does not necessarily mean the treatment has failed.
Does Levitra Work Without Sexual Stimulation?
No.
EMA explicitly states that sexual stimulation is necessary for Levitra to work.
The medicine enhances the normal erectile response.
It does not independently cause sexual arousal or an erection.
How Effective Is Levitra?
Levitra was authorised after clinical evaluation demonstrated benefit in men with erectile dysfunction.
Its development programme included men with different underlying causes of ED, including patients with diabetes and men who developed erectile dysfunction following prostate surgery.
Treatment response varies between individuals.
Factors influencing effectiveness can include:
- the cause of erectile dysfunction;
- correct dosing;
- timing;
- food;
- alcohol;
- medicines;
- cardiovascular health; and
- psychological factors.
No ED treatment is effective for every person.
What If Levitra Does Not Work?
There are several reasons Levitra might not provide an adequate response on a particular occasion.
These can include:
- insufficient sexual stimulation;
- taking it after a very fatty meal;
- incorrect timing;
- excessive alcohol;
- anxiety;
- an unsuitable dose;
- another medicine; or
- an underlying medical cause of ED.
Do not exceed your prescribed dose or take several doses in the same day.
If Levitra repeatedly does not work, seek professional advice.
What Are the Common Side Effects of Levitra?
Like other medicines, Levitra can cause side effects.
Common PDE5 inhibitor-related effects may include:
- headache;
- flushing;
- nasal congestion;
- indigestion;
- dizziness; and
- other temporary gastrointestinal or circulatory symptoms.
Headache is among the most frequently reported adverse effects associated with vardenafil.
Always read the current patient information supplied with your medicine.
What Serious Side Effects Should I Know About?
Urgent medical attention may be required if you experience symptoms such as:
- chest pain;
- severe dizziness or collapse;
- sudden significant vision changes;
- sudden hearing problems;
- severe allergic symptoms; or
- a prolonged or painful erection.
A persistent erection lasting unusually long can cause tissue damage and should not be ignored.
Can Levitra Be Taken With Nitrates?
No.
Levitra must not be taken with nitrate medicines, including those used to treat angina.
Combining a PDE5 inhibitor with nitrates can cause a dangerous fall in blood pressure.
Always tell the healthcare professional assessing you about all heart and blood-pressure medicines.
Who Should Not Take Levitra?
Levitra is not suitable for everyone.
Important contraindications and precautions can include:
- use of nitrate medicines;
- certain severe cardiovascular conditions;
- very low blood pressure;
- recent cardiovascular events;
- severe liver disease;
- some severe kidney conditions;
- particular eye disorders;
- certain interacting medicines; and
- situations where sexual activity itself is medically inadvisable.
This is not a complete list.
An appropriate clinical assessment is essential.
Does Levitra Interact With Other Medicines?
Yes.
Vardenafil can interact with several medicines, including some that influence:
- blood pressure;
- heart function;
- liver enzyme activity; and
- vardenafil metabolism.
Important examples can include:
- nitrate medicines;
- certain HIV medicines;
- some antifungal medicines;
- alpha-blockers; and
- certain strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.
Always provide a complete list of prescription medicines, non-prescription products and supplements.
Can I Drink Alcohol With Levitra?
Small amounts of alcohol may not necessarily prevent treatment from working.
However, heavy alcohol use can:
- worsen erectile dysfunction;
- interfere with sexual performance;
- increase dizziness; and
- contribute to blood-pressure changes.
Moderating alcohol intake can improve both general sexual health and treatment reliability.
Does Levitra Increase Sex Drive?
No.
Levitra does not directly increase libido.
It supports the physical erection process during sexual stimulation.
Low sexual desire may have other causes and may require separate assessment.
Does Levitra Increase Testosterone?
No.
Levitra is not a testosterone medicine.
Vardenafil works through the PDE5 and cGMP pathway involved in penile blood flow.
Levitra vs Generic Vardenafil
The biggest distinction is branding.
Levitra
- Original branded vardenafil medicine
- Contains vardenafil
- Available in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg film-coated tablets
- 10mg orodispersible formulation also authorised
Generic Vardenafil
- Contains the same active ingredient
- May be produced by different manufacturers
- May differ in tablet appearance and inactive ingredients
- Often available at a different price
Levitra vs Viagra
Both are PDE5 inhibitors.
Levitra
Contains vardenafil.
Usually taken around 25–60 minutes before sexual activity.
Viagra
Contains sildenafil.
Usually taken around one hour before sexual activity.
Neither should be considered universally better; individual response varies.
Levitra vs Cialis
Levitra
Contains vardenafil and is primarily used on demand.
Cialis
Contains tadalafil.
Tadalafil has a longer effective treatment window and can also be prescribed in a lower-dose daily regimen.
Levitra vs Spedra
Levitra contains vardenafil, whereas Spedra contains avanafil.
Spedra is typically taken closer to anticipated sexual activity, while Levitra’s commonly recommended timing is 25–60 minutes beforehand.
Both are prescription PDE5 inhibitors.
Levitra vs VaxAid Deluxe
These treatments use very different mechanisms.
Levitra
- Prescription medicine
- Contains vardenafil
- Works through PDE5 inhibition
- Requires sexual stimulation
VaxAid Deluxe
- Mechanical vacuum erection device
- Drug-free
- Uses negative pressure to encourage penile blood flow
Some men may prefer or require a non-drug ED treatment.
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