Levitra
| Noun | 1. | Levitra - virility drug (trade name Levitra) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men |
Levitra
vardenafil hydrochloride
Pharmacologic class: Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor
Therapeutic class: Erectile dysfunction agent
Pregnancy risk category B
Action
Selectively blocks PDE5, which neutralizes cyclic guanosine monophosphate, resulting in enhanced erectile function
Availability
Tablets: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg
Indications and dosages
➣ Erectile dysfunction
Adult males: 10 or 20 mg P.O. approximately 1 hour before anticipated sexual activity. Maximum dosing frequency is once daily.
Dosage adjustment
• Patients older than age 65
• Concurrent use of CYP450-3A4 inhibitors
• Concurrent HIV therapy (except highly active antiretroviral therapy)
Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to drug
• Concurrent use of nitrates or nitrate patches to treat angina
• Concurrent use of alpha-adrenergic blockers
Precautions
Use cautiously in:
• cardiovascular disease, retinitis pigmentosa, hepatic or renal impairment, reduced hepatic blood flow
• patients at increased risk for priapism (as from sickle-cell disease, leukemia, multiple myeloma, polycythemia, or history of priapism).
Administration
• Advise patient not to take more than one tablet daily.
Adverse reactions
CNS: headache
CV: hypotension
EENT: blurred vision, altered color perception, light sensitivity, rhinitis
GI: dyspepsia
Skin: flushing
Other: flulike symptoms
Interactions
Drug-drug. Alpha-adrenergic blockers, nitrates: hypotension
Erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, protease inhibitors: increased vardenafil blood level
Drug-diagnostic tests. Creatine kinase: increased level
Patient monitoring
• Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, particularly if patient has cardiovascular disease.
Patient teaching
• Tell patient he may take with or without food.
• Instruct patient to take one tablet about 1 hour before anticipated sexual activity. Caution him not to take more than one tablet daily.
• Instruct patient to promptly contact prescriber if erection lasts more than 4 hours, because irreversible damage to penis may occur.
• Caution patient not to take nitrates. Tell him to inform prescriber of other drugs he's taking.
• As appropriate, review all other significant adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs and tests mentioned above.
Levitra
(lə-vē′trə)Adverse effects Headache, dyspepsia, nausea, rhinitis
Levitra
A brand name for VARDENAFIL.Levitra
- noun
Synonyms for Levitra
noun virility drug (trade name Levitra) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men
Synonyms
- vardenafil
Related Words
- anti-impotence drug
- virility drug