Levitra (Vardenafil) Dosage Guide: How Much To Take For ED
Vardenafil is a medication that's effective at helping men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. We'll discuss the proper dosage to take for it to be effective.
Hands on, practical experience – this is our expertise
Our vardenafil dosage guide will help you understand how much you should take. While erectile dysfunction (ED) is not openly discussed, as many as 30 million men in the United States are affected.
One of the first treatment options a doctor may recommend is some type of ED medication. Levitra (active ingredient vardenafil) is a commonly prescribed medication for ED treatment, much like Viagra or Cialis.
Quick FAQs
Vardenafil inhibits the PDE-5 inhibitors in the penis which allows blood to flow into the penis easier for a more satisfactory erection.
The most common side effects of vardenafil are headaches, stuffy nose, and flu-like like symptoms.
Vardenafil can last for up to five hours.
The recommended vardenafil dosage range can vary, depending on several factors. So what is the normal dosage for Levitra?
The lowest vardenafil dosage is reserved for specific patient circumstances.
Most often, the 2.5 mg dose is recommended for patients that are on certain medications.
For example, 2.5 mg doses may be recommended if a patient is on 400 mg of ritonavir, indinavir, clarithromycin, or ketoconazole, all of which are CYP3A4 inhibitors.
5 mg
The 5 mg vardenafil dosage is another low-dose option prescribed in certain situations.
This dose may be the prescribed starting dose if the patient is:
65 years of age or older
Already taking 200 mg daily of CYP3A4 inhibitors
On a stable dose of alpha-blocker therapy
Dealing with liver function impairments
The 5 mg dose may also be an option for patients that do not tolerate the standard 10 mg starting dose well due to adverse effects.
10 mg
The most typical starting dose of vardenafil for most patients is 10 mg.
Most patients who are under the age of 65 will be given 10 mg of Levitra initially, but the dose may be increased or decreased depending on how well the dose works or if side effects are experienced.
20 mg
The vardenafil maximum dosage is 20 mg.
This larger dose is usually only prescribed if a patient is not finding the standard 10 mg dose effective for the symptoms of ED. Additionally, this dose is only recommended if a patient is not experiencing undesirable side effects with the standard dose.
How Does Vardenafil Work?
Vardenafil is in a class of drugs referred to as PDE (phosphodiesterase) inhibitors.
PDE inhibitors alter certain chemical reactions in the body. This encourages blood vessels to widen or relax.
Vardenafil, specifically and like most other ED medications, is a PDE-5 inhibitor. PDE-5 enzymes are found in the penis.
Vardenafil inhibits PDE-5 enzymes found in the penis. Therefore, blood flows into the penis easier to generate a satisfactory erection.
Pro Tip:VitaFLUX Nitric Oxide Booster helps to relax blood vessels and allow more blood flow through increased nitric oxide production.
Even if a man takes the vardenafil maximum dosage, the medication does not change sexual desire or enhance arousal. The effects are a purely physical process that changes how easy it is to become erect once arousal occurs.
Therefore, Levitra should not be expected to make you want to have sex or cause a spontaneous erection. Instead, the medication should be used in anticipation of sex so that when emotional arousal happens, the penis can physically respond easier by developing an erection.
What Are The Side Effects?
While Levitra can be effective for ED, the medication is also related to a long list of side effects.
Not every patient that takes the proper vardenafil dosage will experience side effects, and most side effects are mild and manageable without medical intervention.
Less common side effects that will generally subside without medical treatment include:
Mild vision changes, sensitivity to sunlight, or difficulties seeing in low light
Indigestion, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or other gastrointestinal issues
Pain or muscle stiffness
Spore, dry throat
Tingling or burning sensations
Joint pain or stiffness
Coughing
In rare cases, vardenafil can cause more serious side effects that should be discussed with a doctor right away. These side effects can include things like:
Sudden vision loss
Irregular heart rate
Sudden dizziness
Passing out
Slurred speech
High fever
How Long Does it Last?
The duration of the effects after taking vardenafil can vary, but will usually allow a man to get an erection easier for up to five hours.
The medication generally takes about an hour to reach its full effects. Keep in mind, PDE-5 inhibitors should not cause an erection that lasts beyond four hours.
A rare side effect of taking PDE-5 inhibitors is priapism. Priapism can be dangerous because it may mean blood is trapped in the penile tissues and the penis is not getting oxygen-rich blood.
Left without treatment, priapism can cause damage to penile tissues.
Vardenafil should be taken according to your doctor's or pharmacist's recommendation. Further, it is recommended to always read the patient information pamphlet that comes with the medication before use.
However, there are some general instructions to follow. Generally, Levitra begins working in about 60 minutes, but this medication will not cause arousal or an erection without penile stimulation.
Therefore, the best plan is to take the dose about an hour before sexual activity is anticipated. Vardenafil tablets may be designed to be swallowed whole, or to dissolve on your tongue, depending on the formulation.
Pay close attention to the type of Levitra you are prescribed, so you know whether to swallow the tablet or place it on the tongue to dissolve. Levitra can be taken on an empty stomach or with food.
It’s important not to consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice with the medication. If you are taking rapid-dissolve vardenafil tablets, these should be taken without water or fluids.
The Levitra dosage for ED should only be taken once per day. Some patients with health concerns or taking certain medications may be advised to wait longer between doses.
Can You Overdose on Vardenafil?
Yes, taking more than the recommended Levitra dosage for ED could lead to an overdose.
Symptoms of taking a too-high dose of vardenafil can include:
Vision changes
Headaches
Back or muscle pain
In addition, taking too much Levitra can heighten the risk of serious side effects such as priapism.
Therefore, it is important to monitor your symptoms if you accidentally take too much and contact a medical provider immediately if overdose symptoms are suspected.
Takeaways
Vardenafil (brand-name Levitra) can be highly effective for treating ED, but dosage levels can vary in a case-by-case situation.
Patients may need a smaller or larger dose depending on how effective it is, the patient’s current health status or adverse reactions.
Side effects that are common with taking Vardenafil include headaches or flu-like symptoms. Be sure to seek medical attention if you experience an erection lasting four hours or longer.
Another issue some patients with ED may suffer from is premature ejaculation. A good treatment option for PE is Promescent Delay Spray, which is clinically proven to help men last longer in bed.
Our team has over a decade of experience in the sexual wellness field and are experts in sexual dysfunctions, like premature ejaculation. We help couples and individuals better understand treatment options available for different types of sexual needs and educate the public on all things related to intimacy. All of our authored content is medically reviewed for accuracy and reliability.
Sources:
Absorption Pharmaceuticals LLC (Promescent) has strict informational citing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic or research institutions, medical associations, and medical experts. We attempt to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references and only citing trustworthy sources. Each article is reviewed, written, and updated by Medical Professionals or authoritative Experts in a specific, related field of practice. You can find out more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
"Definition & Facts for Erectile Dysfunction - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases." Niddk.nih.gov, 2017, www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/definition-facts. Accessed on Apr, 11, 2023.
Dhaliwal A, Gupta M. PDE5 Inhibitors. [Updated 2022 May 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549843/. Accessed on Apr, 11, 2023.
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
