Take one tablet whole with a glass of water. It should start to work within 25-60 minutes so long as you are sexually stimulated. Levitra should remain active in your system for up to five hours
Make sure you read the Levitra directions on the leaflet provided and never take more than one tablet in any 24 hour period.
How long does it take Levitra to work?
Between 25 and 60 minutes. It’s a good idea to allow for the full 60 minutes, to make sure it’s had enough time to work. Once taken, it should stay active in your system for up to five hours.
If you’ve taken it with or after a heavy meal, it may take longer than the 60-minute window to take effect. If you find that it works but doesn’t last very long, speak with your clinician, they may be able to suggest a change in how you’re taking it or a change in dose.
How long does Levitra last?
The Levitra half-life when taking a standard 10mg dose is four to five hours. This means that the effects of Levitra will last for up to five hours. During this time you should be able to get an erection if aroused.
When we say it will ‘last for up to five hours’ we don’t mean that you’ll have a five-hour-long erection. This is not the case and should you get an erection that lasts more than four hours you should go to the hospital.
On the flip side, if you take Levitra and get an erection, but it doesn’t last very long, it may be that your dose is too low. Let your prescriber know and they may consider increasing your dose.
What if Levitra doesn’t work?
Normally, your doctor will recommend a starting dose of 10mg. If you start treatment with Levitra at a 10mg dose but find you aren’t able to get an erection or it isn’t working as well as you’d like, don’t worry.
It’s recommended that you try the prescribed dosage a few times before deciding how well it works for you. Once you have an idea of how your body is responding, talk to your doctor, it may be that you need an adjusted dose.
A higher dose of 20mg is available if you find you’re not achieving erections as you’d like to. A lower dose of 5mg is also available if you take certain medications or have pre-existing conditions that change the body’s ability to metabolise Levitra.
Can I drink alcohol before I take Levitra?
Yes. There’s no evidence to suggest that alcohol interacts with Levitra.
However, whilst a glass of wine can be a perfect addition to a romantic evening and shouldn’t impact Levitra’s effectiveness, excessive alcohol intake will affect how well Levitra works.
This is because a high alcohol intake can make it even harder to get a strong erection that lasts. As alcohol can make ED symptoms significantly worse, it’s a good idea to drink within sensible limits if you suffer from ED.
Can you take Levitra with food?
Taking Levitra with or without food is fine. Lighter meals are better as heavy or high-fat foods can slow down how fast the body absorbs Levitra. As a result, it will take longer to kick in and may be less effective.
If you’re taking Levitra with food and aren’t seeing the results you’d like, a good first step will be to wait two hours after eating before taking it. It’s possible you’re not getting the full effect.
The one dietary exception to remember is grapefruit juice, which can interact with Levitra, and so should be avoided.
How effective is Levitra?
A 2009 review of over a decade of research and more than 2000 men found that Levitra is effective, fast-acting and reliable. The review concluded it as: ‘A first-line treatment for men with ED, including those with underlying conditions.’
For example, in two studies involving over 700 men collectively, men reported being able to maintain an erection in around 63% of sexual attempts (as opposed to 26% in the placebo group) when using Levitra. Additionally, in a European study of over 300 men with ED, 80% were able to get an erection which would last throughout sex when taking 10mg of vardenafil, compared to only 21% for the placebo group.
Most recently, a Levitra clinical trial in 2018 found that when given 10mg of vardenafil not only were all aspects of erectile function significantly improved but so too was the man’s ability to successfully have sex.
Is there a way to make Levitra more effective?
Always read the instruction leaflet carefully before beginning Levitra. Remember, for Levitra to work you need to be aroused. If you’re not, it simply won’t work.
Big meals will slow how fast Levitra is absorbed, so lighter is better. Remember to be patient and give it the full 60 minutes to take effect and give yourself the best chance of achieving a full erection.
To make Levitra more effective it’s also a good idea to address underlying factors which can worsen ED. Stress, relationship concerns, diet, exercise, and smoking can all impact the severity of symptoms.