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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.
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