Levitra (Vardenafil)

What is Levitra?

Levitra (vardenafil) is a prescription-only oral medicine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men. It belongs to the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor class — the same family of medicines as sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) — but has a distinct molecular structure that gives it some differentiated pharmacological properties, including a relatively fast onset of action.

How does Levitra work?

Levitra inhibits phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), an enzyme found primarily in penile smooth muscle tissue. This mechanism of action is shared with other PDE5 inhibitors, but vardenafil is considered more potent at the molecular level — it inhibits PDE5 at lower concentrations than sildenafil.

During sexual stimulation, nitric oxide is released in the erectile tissue of the penis, stimulating the production of cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate). cGMP causes smooth muscle relaxation in the penile blood vessels, increasing blood flow and producing an erection. In men with ED, PDE5 degrades cGMP too quickly for a sufficient erection to develop. By inhibiting PDE5, vardenafil allows cGMP to accumulate, restoring the capacity for a normal erection in response to sexual stimulation.

Levitra does not produce an erection in the absence of sexual stimulation. Arousal is required for the medicine to be effective.

Vardenafil’s higher selectivity for PDE5 relative to other PDE subtypes (particularly PDE6 in the retina) may contribute to a lower incidence of visual side effects compared to sildenafil, though direct head-to-head clinical comparisons are limited.

Who is Levitra for?

Levitra is indicated for adult men with erectile dysfunction. It may be particularly considered for:

• Men for whom sildenafil (Viagra) has been insufficiently effective
• Men with ED secondary to diabetes mellitus (both type 1 and type 2), where clinical evidence supports vardenafil’s efficacy
• Men who require a faster onset of action than sildenafil typically provides
• Men for whom high-fat meals are a practical concern (vardenafil’s onset can be mildly slowed by high-fat meals, but less so than sildenafil)

Levitra is not appropriate for all men. Contraindications include:

• Concurrent use of nitrate medicines in any form
• Concurrent use of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ritonavir or ketoconazole (which can significantly increase vardenafil plasma levels)
• Severe hepatic impairment
• End-stage renal disease requiring dialysis
• Hereditary degenerative retinal disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa
• History of NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy)

Posología

Levitra is taken orally, approximately 25 to 60 minutes before anticipated sexual activity. It is available in three strengths:

Dosis	Uso habitual
5 mg	Men with hepatic impairment (mild to moderate), men aged 65 or over, or those with significant drug interactions
10 mg	Standard starting dose for most adult men
20 mg	If 10 mg is well-tolerated but insufficiently effective

The maximum recommended dose is 20 mg per 24-hour period. Levitra should not be taken more than once per day.

Food effect: A standard meal does not significantly affect the absorption of vardenafil. However, a very high-fat meal (>57% fat content) may reduce the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and delay onset. Taking Levitra with a light or moderate meal is generally recommended.

Efectos secundarios

Como todos los medicamentos, Levitra puede causar efectos secundarios.

Efectos secundarios frecuentes (pueden afectar a más de 1 de cada 10 personas)

• Headache
• Flushing (facial warmth and redness)
• Nasal congestion
• Dyspepsia (indigestion)

Efectos secundarios poco frecuentes (pueden afectar hasta a 1 de cada 10 personas)

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Visual disturbances (blurred vision, altered colour perception)
• Back pain

Efectos secundarios graves — busque atención médica inmediata

• Priapism: An erection unrelated to sexual stimulation lasting more than 4 hours is a medical emergency. Without prompt treatment, permanent damage to erectile tissue may occur.
• Sudden vision loss: Rare cases of NAION have been reported in association with PDE5 inhibitor use. Discontinue immediately and seek urgent medical care.
• Sudden hearing loss: Stop treatment and contact a doctor immediately.
• Severe hypotension: Risk is markedly increased if vardenafil is taken with nitrates. This combination is absolutely contraindicated.
• QT prolongation: Vardenafil should be used with caution in patients with known QT prolongation and in those taking medicines that can prolong the QT interval.

Consulte la información del producto aprobada por la EMA para obtener una lista completa de efectos secundarios.

Levitra vs alternatives

All four PDE5 inhibitors listed below are EMA-approved for erectile dysfunction. Esta tabla se proporciona únicamente con fines informativos. La idoneidad clínica debe ser evaluada por un médico cualificado.

Medicamento	Principio activo	Inicio de acción	Duración	Posología
Levitra	Vardenafil	25–60 min	4–5 hours	On demand
Viagra	Sildenafil Citrate	30–60 min	4–6 hours	On demand
Cialis	Tadalafil	30–60 min	Up to 36 hours	On demand or daily
Generic Viagra	Sildenafil	30–60 min	4–6 hours	On demand

Diferencias clave:

• Levitra vs Viagra: Both have a similar duration of effect (4–5 hours versus 4–6 hours). Levitra may have a slightly faster onset in some patients and may be effective for men who respond inadequately to sildenafil. Vardenafil’s higher molecular potency for PDE5 inhibition is a pharmacological distinction, though clinical superiority in unselected populations has not been demonstrated.
• Levitra vs Cialis: Tadalafil’s defining advantage is its duration of action — up to 36 hours versus 4–5 hours for vardenafil — and the availability of a daily dosing option. Levitra has a potentially faster onset. Tadalafil is also approved for BPH; vardenafil is not.
• Levitra vs Generic Sildenafil: The primary differences are in molecular potency and onset speed. Both have a comparable duration of effect.

How to access Levitra online in Europe

Levitra es un medicamento sujeto a prescripción médica en todos los estados miembros de la UE. Se requiere una receta válida de un profesional médico autorizado para su dispensación legal.

Prescrivia opera como intermediario tecnológico: no prescribimos medicamentos, no empleamos médicos ni vendemos medicamentos. Nuestra plataforma conecta a los pacientes con médicos independientes registrados en la UE que pueden realizar evaluaciones de salud en línea confidenciales.

El proceso funciona de la siguiente manera:

1. Complete una evaluación de salud: Answer structured health questions covering your medical history, current medications, cardiovascular history, and relevant lifestyle factors.
2. Revisión médica: Un médico independiente registrado en la UE revisa su evaluación. If vardenafil is clinically appropriate, they may issue a prescription. If it is not appropriate, the doctor will explain why.
3. Prescripción y dispensación: Si se emite una receta, se envía a una farmacia asociada autorizada de la UE, que dispensa y envía el medicamento a usted.

Importante: Prescrivia no garantiza que se emita una receta. Todas las decisiones de prescripción son tomadas de forma independiente por profesionales médicos cualificados.

Información importante de seguridad

No utilice Levitra si usted:

• Take nitrate medicines in any form (including glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, or nitrate-containing recreational drugs)
• Take potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ritonavir, indinavir, or ketoconazole (400 mg daily)
• Have severe liver impairment
• Have end-stage renal disease on dialysis
• Have retinitis pigmentosa or a history of NAION
• Are allergic to vardenafil or any excipient in Levitra

Informe a su médico antes de starting Levitra if you have:

• Any history of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, or stroke
• A QT prolongation condition or use medicines that prolong QT
• Bleeding disorders or active peptic ulceration
• Sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma, or leukaemia
• Peyronie’s disease or other anatomical penile deformity
• Mild to moderate hepatic impairment (dose reduction required)

Interacciones medicamentosas: Vardenafil has significant interactions with nitrates (absolutely contraindicated), potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (ritonavir, ketoconazole), alpha-blockers (risk of hypotension), antihypertensives, and QT-prolonging medicines. Proporcione siempre una lista completa y actualizada de medicamentos al médico que realiza la evaluación.

Fuentes

La información médica de esta página se basa en las siguientes fuentes:

• European Medicines Agency (EMA). Levitra (vardenafil) — Summary of Product Characteristics. Disponible en: ema.europa.eu
• European Medicines Agency (EMA). Assessment report: Levitra. EMEA/H/C/000475.
• World Health Organization (WHO). Sexual health — Fact sheet. who.int
• Hellstrom WJG, et al. Vardenafil for treatment of men with erectile dysfunction: efficacy and safety in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Androl. 2002;23(6):763-771.

Este contenido se revisa periódicamente para reflejar las directrices clínicas actualizadas. Se proporciona únicamente con fines informativos y no constituye asesoramiento médico. Consulte siempre a un profesional sanitario cualificado para obtener asesoramiento relevante para sus circunstancias de salud individuales.