Can Levitra be taken with food?

Erectile dysfunction is a very common problem among men and there are plenty of effective medicines available to treat it. Along with the well-known brand Viagra, Levitra is a popular alternative that is well tolerated and suitable for most people. When it comes to taking erectile dysfunction medicines though, people tend to have a lot of questions.

Key Takeaways:

Levitra and Food:

• Levitra can be taken with or without food, but avoid heavy or high-fat meals as they can slow down its absorption and effectiveness. Also, avoid taking it after heavy drinking, as it might not work as well.

Dosage Instructions:

• The typical starting dose of Levitra is 10mg, taken 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. Do not exceed 20mg in 24 hours. The medication remains effective for up to 5 hours, but it doesn't cause a continuous erection.

Prescription Requirement:

• Levitra is a prescription-only medication. You can obtain a prescription through your GP or an online service like UK Meds, where a GMC-registered doctor will review your consultation.

Can Levitra be taken with food?

If you are prescribed Levitra, you will notice that the dosage instructions say that it can be taken with or without food (EMC, 2023). However, this doesn’t mean that food won’t affect how the medicine works.

Like all medicines, Levitra (Vardenafil) and its effectiveness can be influenced by a number of different factors. This includes underlying medical conditions and overall health. The way that the body absorbs the medicine can also be dependent on food.

Although it’s perfectly safe to take Levitra with food, you may want to avoid taking it after a very large or heavy meal or one that’s particularly high in fat (He, Z.; 2005). This is because having a full stomach can prevent the medicine from being absorbed as much or as quickly, which can mean you might not feel the full desired effects. You should also avoid taking it after a lot of heavy drinking. If you’ve been binge drinking then you may still struggle to get and maintain an erection (even with the help of the medication).

How should I take Levitra?

It’s important to always use the medicine as directed by your doctor and the advice on the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

Initial Dose

Levitra (Vardenafil) tablets should typically be taken orally and the recommended starting dose is 10mg, although your starting dose may be different depending on your exact medical history (Drugs.com, 2023).

Maximum Dose

The maximum daily dose is 20mg and this should not be exceeded in any 24 hour period.

Take the tablet 30 to 60 minutes before you plan to engage in sexual activity. As mentioned above, a heavy meal or a lot of food can slow down the time it takes for the medicine to kick in so an empty stomach or a light meal is best.

Once the medicine is active in your system, it will remain so for up to 5 hours. This means that Levitra can assist with getting and maintaining an erection at any point within this time period (although it’s at its optimum without the first hour or so). This doesn’t mean that you will have an erection for this amount of time.

If you do experience a prolonged or painful erection that doesn’t go away even after orgasm then this could be a sign of priapism and you should seek medical help (NHS, 2023).

Is Levitra (Vardenafil) a prescription-only medication?

Levitra is a prescription-only medication, so you will need a valid prescription before being able to take it. You can either obtain this by visiting your GP, or you can a discreet online service like UK Meds. With no need for a GP visit, your online consultation will be reviewed by a GMC registered UK doctor. If this is approved, your medication will be sent out to you.