What is the use of Levitra (Vardenafil)?

From the Guidelines

Levitra (Vardenafil) is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men, with a recommended starting dose of 10 mg taken orally about 60 minutes before sexual activity, as supported by the American College of Physicians guideline 1. The medication works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation, helping achieve and maintain an erection.

• The choice of a specific PDE-5 inhibitor, such as Levitra, should be based on individual preferences, including ease of use, cost of medication, and adverse effects profile, as recommended by the American College of Physicians 1.
• It is essential to note that nitrate therapy is a contraindication for treatment with oral PDE-5 inhibitors, including Levitra, due to the risk of dangerous drops in blood pressure.
• Common side effects of Levitra include headache, flushing, nasal congestion, and indigestion, and the medication should not be taken with certain antifungals or alpha-blockers without proper spacing.
• The American College of Physicians recommends that clinicians initiate therapy with a PDE-5 inhibitor, such as Levitra, in men who seek treatment for erectile dysfunction and who do not have a contraindication to PDE-5 inhibitor use, based on high-quality evidence 1.
• The evidence is insufficient to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of different PDE-5 inhibitors, including Levitra, for the treatment of ED, and individual preferences and clinical presentation should guide treatment decisions 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

LEVITRA is indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. LEVITRA® is an oral therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

The use of Levitra (Vardenafil) is for the treatment of erectile dysfunction 2 2.

• The main indication is to treat erectile dysfunction.
• Key use is as an oral therapy for erectile dysfunction.

From the Research

Use of Levitra (Vardenafil)

• Levitra (Vardenafil) is a potent and highly selective oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• It has been shown to improve erectile function in men with mild to severe ED of varying aetiology, as well as in men with ED associated with diabetes mellitus or ED after radical prostatectomy 4, 5, 6.
• Vardenafil has a rapid onset of action, with completion of successful sexual intercourse possible for some patients 16 minutes after administration 6.
• It is available in various forms, including an oral-dispersible tablet (Levitra ODT), which dissolves in the mouth and does not require water, making it easy to administer and providing the desired effect at any time and in any circumstances 3.
• The efficacy and safety of vardenafil have been demonstrated in both clinical trials and real-life observational studies, with a favorable profile in men with ED, including those with associated underlying conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia 7.

Efficacy of Vardenafil

• Vardenafil has been shown to improve erectile function, with significant improvements in International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire erectile function domain scores, penetration, and maintenance of erection 4, 5.
• It has also been shown to improve intercourse satisfaction and orgasmic function domain scores, with a significantly higher proportion of patients having positive responses to a Global Assessment Question (GAQ) concerning improvement in erections 4, 5.
• Vardenafil has sustained long-term efficacy, with up to 92% of patients experiencing improved erections during more than 2 years of treatment 6.

Safety and Tolerability of Vardenafil

• Vardenafil is generally well tolerated, with treatment-emergent adverse events being of mild to moderate intensity and transient in nature 4, 5, 6.
• The most commonly reported adverse events include headache, flushing, rhinitis, dyspepsia, and sinusitis, which are typical of those seen with PDE5 inhibitors 4, 5, 6.
• Vardenafil may be associated with transient reductions in blood pressure and commensurate increases in heart rate, with the overall incidence of cardiovascular-related adverse events similar to that of placebo 6.