Levitra ED medication

The effectiveness and safety of Levitra

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To study the effectiveness and safety of Levitra, and to assess the effect of treating erectile dysfunction on the female partner’s sexual quality of life.

DESIGN
A randomised, double-blind, parallel group study of Levitra with a placebo control.

PATIENTS
350 male patients suffering from ED and their partners.

INTERVENTIONS

In the first four weeks, patients were allocated either 10mg Levitra or placebo. In a second eight week period, the dosage of Levitra either stayed the same, or was adjusted to 5mg or 20mg. Diary records, global confidence questions and partnership questionnaires assessed effectiveness and measured the self-esteem of the male patients.

RESULTS

Pending

CONCLUSIONS

Awaited.

The effectiveness and safety in the use of Levitra in routine treatment of ED

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To obtain data on effectiveness and safety in the use of Levitra in routine treatment of ED and to assess the effect of the treatment on self-esteem in men with ED.

DESIGN

An open, uncontrolled, prospective, non-interventional post-marketing surveillance study.

RESULTS

Pending

CONCLUSIONS

Awaited.

As with all other medicines available on prescription, when taking Levitra you should follow the instructions given by your doctor or as set out in the notes included in the box. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain anything you do not understand. If taking this drug proves a success (which it does in slightly more than 85% of men who take it), you may be tempted to sing its praises to your friends. Talking about this drug is not a problem, but you should not give your tablets to anyone for them to try. The fact that you can take this drug without a problem does not mean that others will be so lucky. Let them seek proper medical advice before taking this medication.

Levitra is supplied in tablet form as 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg doses, which should be taken without food between twenty-five and sixty minutes before you anticipate sexual activity. If it does not produce an erection the first or second time you use it, consult your doctor to see whether you should try an increased dose. You should use Levitra with confidence. In a clinical trial involving about 4,400 men, Levitra produced an improved erection among 85% of the participants the first time the drug was taken. But do remember that Levitra does not produce an erection on its own. An erection is only produced when you experience satisfying sexual stimulation. One of the reasons why men sometimes fail to get an erection is the fear of failure.

If the erection comes but is painful or lasts for an unnaturally long time (a condition called priapism) you should get in touch with your doctor immediately or go to hospital on an emergency basis. A failure to take action in these circumstances may result in your penis being permanently damaged.

In general terms, there are no requirements about eating. But, if you take a pill after eating a big meal, Levitra may be slightly slower than usual to produce its effect — the quantity of food in your stomach slows down the process of absorbing the drug into your blood stream. You should not crush or chew the tablets, but swallow them whole with plenty of water. The usual safe starting dose is 10mg and the normal expectation would be to take one tablet as and when required, and not more than once per day, i.e. you should wait for 24 hours between doses. Some men prefer to establish a routine of taking one tablet every day. Should you forget to take a dose, never double the next dose to “catch up”. It can be dangerous to exceed the daily dose.

As to storage, you should keep the tablets at room temperature in an airtight container. Avoid excess heat and moisture (so do not keep Levitra in the bathroom) and keep it out of the reach of children. As soon as you decide to stop taking Levitra, you should throw away any unused tablets. Similarly, you should dispose of any tablets that are out-of-date. If you are worried about safety in disposing of any drugs, ask your pharmacist.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

A pilot study of the effect of Levitra on kidney function in rabbits with induced Diabetes.

METHODS

Blood and urine samples were analysed from two groups: a group of rabbits with induced diabetes given Levitra and a control group.

RESULTS

Serum creatinine concentration significantly increased after six months Diabetes, was significantly reduced by Levitra. As compared to control animals, TP/C from diabetic rabbit spot urine samples at six months were elevated significantly, demonstrating that proteinuria was present. TP/C was also normalised. Diabetic animals receiving Levitra showed a significant improvement in CrCl when compared with diabetic animals given vehicle.

CONCLUSION

There is a potential role for Levitra in the treatment of kidney damage caused by long-term exposure to high blood glucose levels.

Further reports

A short research exercise has recently confirmed that the Erection Quality Scale is responsive and internally consistent, and more useful than the International Index of Erectile Function. This study provides strong evidence supporting the use of the Erection Quality Scale in clinical trials. It was assumed that sexual symptoms can be evidence of underlying disease. Thus, sexual enquiry should be an integral component of diagnostic methodology.

A number of other research trials are under way to assess the evidence of effectiveness and safety over time. One of the most important is the investigation of the appearance of vision problems in a very small number of users. Other than this, the PDE5 inhibitors are mature products in a well-established market so the focus of research is shifting to measure other factors.

3. Do not take Levitra if you are also taking any drug, whether medicinal or recreational, that contains a nitrate, e.g. for the treatment of angina or heart disease. Combining Levitra with a nitrate can cause a sudden loss of blood pressure. You may feel dizzy and faint. In very rare cases, it can cause a stroke or a heart attack. You must also be very cautious if you are taking other prescription medications including:
different branded or generic drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It is natural that you worry about your ability to have sexual intercourse, but taking more than one medication at the same time is an overdose and can be dangerous. Further, unless your doctor specifically allows it, you should not use any of the drugs to treat impotence with a different set of symptoms and causes such as alprostadil.
one of the macrolide antibiotics such as clarithromycin or erythromycin;
one of the alpha blockers used to treat high blood pressure such as doxazosin and prazosin;
one of the drugs used to treat arrhythmia such as amiodarone;
one of the drugs used to treat fungal infections such as itraconazole;
one of the mood stabilising drugs such as carbamazepine; and
any combination of the drugs used to treat HIV infection.

This is not a complete list. There are other drugs that can affect the way in which Levitra works in your body. It is in your own interests to give your doctor a complete list of all the drugs, non-prescription medications, and health and herbal products that you are taking. Then, after starting to take Levitra, do not start to take any new medicine or products (even something as apparently innocent as vitamins) without first consulting your doctor.

4. Levitra is not designed to be taken by women, but some women do experiment. This is not unsafe. But, if you are pregnant, you should seek medical advice. At the time of writing, there is no evidence that Levitra will harm your unborn baby. There is also no evidence that Levitra will get into your breast milk and affect a baby boy. Nevertheless, research continues all the time and you should always ensure that you have the most up-to-date information.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To study long-term use among patients who were treated according to a “three-drug regime”. There are three PDE5 inhibitors marketed, Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. Although oral treatment is simple and mostly effective, approximately fifty percent of men stop using the medication within two years. It was hypothesised that compliance would improve if the patient was allowed to try all three PDE5 inhibitors and to prescribe the drug(s) he and his partner found most effective.

DESIGN

A non-intervention survey.

PATIENTS

127 men with an average age of sixty years who had all participated in treatment regimes in 2003 that allowed them to test all three drugs

METHODS

The patients were interviewed by telephone between two and three years after completing their treatment program.

RESULTS

The reason given for discontinuing use was that erections were achieved without drug support. Just over 85% were still using PDE5 inhibitors. The usage varied between one and eight tablets per month. Three-quarters polled used only one drug. The others switched between a short- and slow-acting drug as required. One quarter had changed their drug preference through their experience over three years.

CONCLUSIONS

That patients were more inclined to continue drug use if they were given control over the type of drug and dosage they were allowed to take.

1. Just as Levitra increases the flow of blood in some parts of the body, it can simultaneously decrease the flow of blood to the optic nerve. This has caused a sudden loss of vision in a small number of people taking Levitra. All those affected shared one or more of the following characteristics:

• tested high for cholesterol levels;
• suffered from Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes;
• had pre-existing hypertension;
• had pre-existing cardiovascular conditions;
• were diagnosed with one or more genetic eye conditions;
• were smokers; and/or
• were aged 50 years or more.

If you experience a sudden loss of vision after taking Levitra, treat this as a medical emergency and go to a hospital immediately.

2. Another very small number of patients have experienced sudden loss of hearing. Again, if this happens to you, treat it as a medical emergency.