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Common uses
This medicine is a
phosphodiesterase inhibitor used to treat sexual function problems
such as impotence or erectile dysfunction. In combination with sexual
stimulation, this medicine works by helping the blood flow into the
penis to achieve and maintain an erection. This medicine is not
intended for use in women or children. This medicine will not protect
against sexually transmitted diseases including hiv infection. Use "safe
sex" practices such as latex condoms. Contact your doctor or
pharmacist for more details.
Before using
Do not take this
medicine if you are also taking or using any form of nitroglycerin,
other nitrates such as isosorbide, nitroprusside or any "nitric oxide
donor" medicine, or recreational drugs called "poppers" containing
amyl or butyl nitrate because very serious interactions may occur. If
you are not sure whether a certain medicine is a nitrate, contact
your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. Do not take
this medicine if you are taking an alpha-blocker medicine such as
doxazosin, prazosin, or terazosin. If you are taking any of these
medicines, contact your doctor or pharmacist before taking vardenafil.
Additional monitoring
of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking other
medicine for impotence; certain antifungal medicines such as
itraconazole or ketoconazole; rifamycins such as rifampin; cimetidine;
erythromycin; medicine for high blood pressure; medicine for abnormal
heartbeats such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, or sotalol;
hiv protease inhibitors such as ritonavir or indinavir, or st. John's
wort.
Additional monitoring
of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking other
medicines which may change the way the heart beats such as
phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, quinolone antibiotics, and
others. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or
pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor or any other medical
conditions including penis problems; history of painful or prolonged
erection; sickle cell anemia; blood system cancers such as leukemia
or myeloma; eye diseases, especially retina diseases such as
retinitis pigmentosa, kidney or liver disease, bleeding disorders,
active stomach ulcers, heart problems of any kind including
arrhythmias, stroke, very high or low blood pressure, or allergies.
Do not take this
medicine if you have been told by your healthcare provider to not
have sexual activity because of certain health problems, especially
heart problems. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any
questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Directions
Follow the directions
for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes
with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your
doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about
this medicine. Take this medicine by mouth as needed 1 hour before
sexual activity or as directed by your doctor.
Do not take this
medicine more often than once daily as needed. If you are taking
certain other medicines you may only be able to take this medicine
one time every three days. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more
information. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with
food. However, taking this medicine with a high-fat meal may reduce
the amount of medicine that your body absorbs.
Store this medicine at
room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed
container, away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86
degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted.
Cautions
Do not take this
medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past or to
any other ingredient that is found in it. This medicine may cause
dizziness or vision changes. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do
anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to
this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or
with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other
potentially dangerous tasks.
To minimize dizziness
or lightheadedness, sit up or stand slowly when rising from a seated
or lying position. Your dose is based on your medical condition,
response to therapy, and the other medicines you are taking.
Do not exceed the
recommended dose without checking with your doctor. Rarely, this
medicine may change heart rhythm, especially if taken with other
medicines that can change the heart rhythm. This change in heart
rhythm can result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Ask
your doctor for more information and if you should stop taking any of
your other medicines to reduce the risk of this side effect.
Before you begin
taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter,
check with your doctor or pharmacist. Caution is advised when using
this medicine in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to
the side effects of this medicine. This medicine should not be used
in women or children.
Possible side
effects
Side effects that may
occur while taking this medicine include headache, flushing, stomach
upset or nausea, heartburn, stuffy or runny nose, diarrhea, dizziness,
or lightheadedness. Rarely vision changes such as increased
sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or impaired blue/green color
discrimination may also occur. If these continue or are bothersome,
check with your doctor. Contact your doctor immediately if you
experience fast, slow, or irregular heartbeats.
Sexual activity may
put extra strain on your heart, especially if you have heart problems.
If you have heart problems and experience any serious side effects
while having sex, stop having sex and tell your doctor immediately.
These side effects include severe dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or
nausea. In the unlikely even that you have a painful or prolonged
erection (lasting more than 4 hours), stop using this medicine and
seek immediate medical attention or permanent problems could occur.
An allergic reaction
to this medicine is unlikely but seek immediate medical attention if
it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching,
unusual swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you
notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist.
If you take
too much
If overdose is
suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room
immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include back pain, muscle pain,
and abnormal vision.
Additional
information
If your symptoms do
not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Do not
share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed, since
they may have a problem that is not effectively treated with this
medicine, or they may have a condition that is complicated by this
medicine.
Do not use this
medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the
reach of children and pets. If using this medicine for an extended
period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
Drug
interactions
Drug interactions can
result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its
job. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this
medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and
over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. |