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Levitra is a medication that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It contains 10mg or 20mg of the active ingredient vardenafil and belongs to a group of medications called PDE-5 inhibitors. These relax the blood vessels, improving blood flow to the penis and helping to treat erectile dysfunction symptoms. Levitra tablets need to be taken half an hour before having sex. The effects of Levitra will last for around 4 to 5 hours.
Levitra is a branded medication manufactured by Bayer. Non-branded versions of vardenafil are also available.
Prices
4 tablet(s) - £40.00
8 tablet(s) - £70.00
12 tablet(s) - £85.00
4 tablet(s) - £41.00
8 tablet(s) - £79.00
12 tablet(s) - £109.00



About Levitra
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Levitra is a medication used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, which is a condition that makes it difficult to get or keep an erection. It contains the active ingredient vardenafil, which is a phosphodiesterase-type-5 inhibitor (PDE-5). Levitra works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, aiding blood flow and enabling you to get and keep an erection. This treatment will only work if you are sexually aroused.
Levitra is available in 10mg tablets or 20mg tablets. Your doctor is likely to prescribe Levitra 10mg tablets first for you. But if you find this doesn’t have the desired effects, they can increase the dose to Levitra 20mg.
It’s important to remember that Levitra will not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You can avoid STIs by practising safe sex, including using condoms.
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To take Levitra:
- swallow one 10mg or one 20mg tablet with water 25 to 60 minutes before you plan to have sex
- you must be sexually aroused for Levitra to work
- do not take more than one Levitra tablet each day
- you can take Levitra with or without food, but a high-fat meal may make Levitra work slower
When taking Levitra, avoid:
- drinking lots of alcohol – it can reduce the effectiveness of Levitra
- drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit – grapefruit can interact with PDE-5 inhibitors and increase your chance of side effects
If you take more than your prescribed maximum dose of Levitra, you may experience serious side effects. Check the packet leaflet for information about what to do, or seek medical help.
If you think you need a different dose of Levitra, you should discuss this with your doctor. You can buy Levitra in 10mg and 20mg tablets, so you can be prescribed a higher dose or drop back down to a lower dose if you need to.
How long does it take for Levitra to work?
Levitra takes around 25 minutes to an hour to start working. You should take Levitra a minimum of 25 minutes before trying to have sex. You must be sexually aroused for Levitra to work.
Levitra pills may not always work the first time you use them. We generally recommend trying the medication up to 8 times on 8 different days before requesting a stronger dose.
How long does Levitra last?
The effects of Levitra should last around 4 to 5 hours. You will not have an erection for this whole time, but you should find it easier to get an erection when aroused during this period.
If your erection becomes painful and lasts for over 4 hours, seek medical attention.
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Levitra works by increasing blood flow to your penis, making it easier to get and keep an erection during sex.
It contains the active ingredient vardenafil, which belongs to a group of medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5). PDE-5 inhibitors work by reducing the action of PDE-5, a natural chemical in your body which causes blood vessels in the penis to constrict. By inhibiting PDE-5, Levitra relaxes these blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow to the penis when you are aroused.
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Levitra is regarded as highly effective for the treatment of ED. In one study with 1,385 men, vardenafil (generic Levitra) improved erections in between 71% and 85% of respondents.
This study also reported Levitra to be an effective treatment for older men, and men with specific health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
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Common side effects of Levitra include:
- headache
- flushing
- dizziness
- blocked nose
- indigestion
Uncommon side effects of Levitra include:
- swelling of skin
- sleep problems
- numbness
- visual disturbances
- ringing ears
- vertigo
- fast heartbeat
- stuffy nose
- breathlessness
- rash
- prolonged erections
- muscle pain
- back pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
For a full list of the possible side effects of Levitra, please read the patient information leaflet.
If you experience any unpleasant and persistent side effects when taking Levitra, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
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You can take Levitra if you’re an adult, have a penis, and if you have experienced symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Do not take Levitra if you:
- you do not have a penis
- are allergic to any of its ingredients
- are taking certain other medications, such as nitrates or riociguat
- have a severe heart or liver problem
- are having kidney dialysis
- have ever had a stroke or heart attack
- have or have ever had low blood pressure
- have a family history of degenerative eye disease
- have ever had non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
Our doctors may not prescribe Levitra if you:
- have heart problems
- have a condition that changes the shape of your penis
- get erections that do not go away (priapism)
- have stomach ulcers
- have a bleeding disorder
- are taking any other ED medication
For more information, please read the patient information leaflet. If you’re not sure whether you can take Levitra, get in touch with your doctor or a pharmacist.
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Certain other medications can interact with Levitra and affect how it works. Tell your doctor if you’re taking or have recently taken any other medications; this includes those that you may have gotten without a prescription.
Some medications that can interact with Levitra include:
- nitrates or other medications for angina
- amyl nitrite (‘poppers’)
- medications for arrhythmias, such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, or sotalol
- medications for HIV, such as Ritonavir or indinavir
- antifungal medications, such as ketoconazole or itraconazole
- antibiotics, such as erythromycin or clarithromycin
- alpha-blockers
- riociguat
- other treatments for ED
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There are several alternative treatments to Levitra, including:
- Spedra
- Viagra
- Cialis
- tadalafil
- sildenafil
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There are a number of different treatments for erectile dysfunction. Some treatments are more effective for certain patients than for others, so if you find the first treatment doesn’t work, discuss trying a different treatment with your doctor. For example, occasionally, people find they get more side effects with one ED medication, so they switch to another.
If you want to try an alternative treatment to Levitra, you can message us confidentially through your patient account. One of our doctors can advise an alternative ED treatment that is right for you based on your current personal health and family medical history.
When you request Levitra online from ZAVA, you can also request trial packs of up to three different ED medications. You can try each product, and see which ones work best for you.
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Levitra and Viagra are both PDE-5 inhibitors and work in similar ways, but they have some key differences. Vardenafil, which is the active ingredient in Levitra, is almost 10 times more biochemically potent than sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. This is why Levitra pills are available in lower doses (typically 10mg or 20mg) compared to Viagra (which typically comes in 50mg and 100mg doses), although it doesn’t mean Levitra is ‘stronger’ than sildenafil medications.
Here are the differences between Levitra and Viagra at a glance (*When taking maximum maintenance dose: Levitra, 20mg. Viagra, 100mg.):
Levitra Viagra Active ingredient Vardenafil
Sildenafil
Available doses 10mg, 20mg
50mg, 100mg
Effectiveness * <80%
<82%
How fast does it work? 25 to 60 mins
Up to 30 minutes
How long does it last? 4 to 5 hours
4 to 6 hours
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Levitra and Cialis are two different types of erectile dysfunction medication. Both work by relaxing the blood vessels, and increasing blood flow to the penis. This, alongside sexual arousal, can help you achieve and sustain an erection long enough for sex.. Different types of erectile dysfunction medication will work differently for different people.
The main difference between Levitra and Cialis is that Cialis can last longer (up to 36 hours). Some may prefer to use Cialis because it requires less planning – you don’t have to remember to take it 30 minutes before you hope to have sex. Cialis is also available in lower daily doses that you take every day, allowing you to be ready for sex at any time.
However, the downside is that the side effects of Cialis will also last longer. Men who often notice they get side effects from ED medication may find Cialis causes them more problems than Levitra.
Here are the differences between Levitra and Cialis at a glance (*When taking maximum maintenance dose: Levitra, 20mg.):
Levitra Cialis Active ingredient Vardenafil
Tadalafil
Available doses 10mg, 20mg
2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, 20mg
Effectiveness * <80%
<81%
How fast does it work? 25 to 60 mins
30 to 60 minutes
How long does it last? 4 to 5 hours
Up to 36 hours

Brenda studied medicine at St Georges University of London and has most recently worked in John Radcliffe Oxford University Hospitals, covering acute and general medicine.
Meet our doctorsLast reviewed: 19 Mar 2025
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Vardenafil 10 mg tablets, emc [accessed March 2025]
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Erectile dysfunction (impotence), NHS [accessed March 2025]
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Tadalafil, emc [accessed March 2025]
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Viagra, emc [accessed March 2025]
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Vardenafil, NICE [accessed March 2025]


