What Are Levitra and Viagra?
Levitra (vardenafil hydrochloride) and Viagra (sildenafil) are phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors that work by blocking the phosphodiesterase-PDE5 enzyme and are used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence or ED).
What Are Side Effects of Levitra and Viagra?
Common side effects of both Levitra and Viagra include:
- Headache
- Flushing (warmth or redness in your face, neck, or chest)
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Stomach upset or pain
- Dizziness
- Back pain
- Nausea
Serious side effects of both Levitra and Viagra include:
- Vision problems, vision changes, or sudden vision loss
- Ringing in the ears or sudden hearing loss
- Chest pain or heavy feeling
- Pain spreading to the arm or shoulder
- Sweating
- General ill feeling (malaise)
- Irregular heartbeat
- Swelling in hands/ankles/feet
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Seizures (convulsions)
Levitra vs. Viagra
Both drugs treat erectile dysfunction, but there are some slight differences, based on published FDA label data for each drug. It’s not that one is better than the other but rather, which one is the right drug for the patient based on their history and overall physical health.
Similarities between Levitra and Viagra include:
- Both Levitra and Viagra remain in the body and are active for 4 to 6 hours
- Both Levitra and Viagra take about 30 minutes to take effect in the body
- Both Levitra and Viagra are effective in about 80% of men who use it
Differences between Levitra and Viagra include:
- Levitra can be taken with food, while Viagra is meant to be taken on an empty stomach
- Patients who have long QT syndrome, a heart condition that causes irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and palpitations, should not use Levitra
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