Levitra (vardenafil hydrochloride) is a medicine taken by mouth for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. ED is a condition where the penis does not harden and expand when a man is sexually excited, or when he cannot keep an erection. Levitra may help a man with ED get and keep an erection when he is sexually excited. Levitra is only for men, not for women and children, and must be used only under a doctor's care.

Levitra does not cure ED, increase a man's sexual desire, protect a man or his partner from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV, serve as a male form of birth control.

Levitra was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003. Levitra is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, and distributed and marketed by Schering Corporation.

Serious Side Effects of Levitra

Levitra can cause blood pressure to drop suddenly to an unsafe level if taken with certain other medicines such as nitrates and alpha-blockers, and recreational drugs that contain nitrates called "poppers." Sudden drops in blood pressure can cause dizziness, fainting, heart attack, or stroke.

Uncommon side effects of Levitra use include:

• An erection that will not go away (priapism)
• Vision changes, such as seeing a blue tinge to objects or having difficulty telling the difference between the colors blue and green

Common side effects of Levitra use include:

• Headache
• Indigestion
• Upset Stomach
• Dizziness
• Flushing
• Stuffy or runny nose