Pillbox: Vardenafil

Brand names: Levitra

Type of drug: Phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor

Used to treat: Erectile dysfunction

Notes: Erections are usually controlled by a balance of two body chemicals, one which causes erections and another which takes them away.

Vardenafil works by reducing the action of the second chemical (called PDE-5) and allows an erection to last long enough to satisfactorily complete sexual activity. It will only work when the patient is sexually stimulated.

Dosage: 10mg tablets to be taken orally approximately 25-60 minutes before sexual activity.

Subsequent doses should be adjusted according to the response, up to 20mg. Only one dose should be taken in a day.

Side-effects and warnings: These include vomiting, headaches, dizziness, visual disturbances, nasal congestion and intra-ocular pressure.

Priapism and painful red eyes have also been reported.

Vardenafil should not be prescribed to patients with severe heart conditions or to those who have recently had strokes.