Levitra Side Effects

Generic name: vardenafil

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 11, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about vardenafil. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Levitra.

Applies to vardenafil: oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.

Serious side effects of Levitra

Along with its needed effects, vardenafil (the active ingredient contained in Levitra) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking vardenafil:

Less common

Arm, back, or jaw pain
blindness
blurred vision
chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
chest tightness or heaviness
chills
cold sweats
confusion
decreased vision
difficult or labored breathing
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
eye pain
fainting
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
headache
hives, itching, or skin rash
nausea
nervousness
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pounding in the ears
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
slow or fast heartbeat
sweating
tearing
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting

Incidence not known

Hearing loss

Other side effects of Levitra

Some side effects of vardenafil may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Feeling of warmth and redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
sneezing
stuffy nose

Less common

Abnormal ejaculation
abnormal vision
acid or sour stomach
back pain
belching
bloody nose
body aches or pain
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
changes in color vision
changes in vision
congestion
cough
diarrhea
difficulty seeing at night
difficulty with moving
difficulty with swallowing
dim vision
dry mouth
dryness or soreness of the throat
excessive muscle tone
eye pain
face swelling
fast heartbeat
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
fever
general feeling of discomfort or illness
heartburn
hoarseness
increased redness of the eye
increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
indigestion
joint pain
lack or loss of strength
loss of appetite
muscle aches and pains
muscle cramping
muscle stiffness
muscle tension or tightness
neck pain
pain or burning in the throat
runny nose
sensation of spinning
shivering
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
swollen joints
tender, swollen glands in the neck
tenderness in the stomach area
trouble with sleeping
trouble with swallowing
voice changes
watery eyes

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to vardenafil: oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.

General

The most commonly reported adverse reaction is headache.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Flushing (11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Palpitation, tachycardia, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, hypotension

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypertension

Postmarketing reports: Serious cerebrovascular hemorrhage, sudden cardiac death, transient ischemic attack, unstable angina and ventricular arrhythmia have been reported in temporal association with another medicinal product in this class.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, paresthesia and dysesthesia, somnolence, sleep disorder, syncope, amnesia, seizure

Postmarketing reports: Seizure, seizure recurrence, transient global amnesia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Erythema, rash, angioedema, allergic edema

Rare (less than 0.1%): Photosensitivity reaction^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, nausea, gastrointestinal and abdominal pain, dry mouth, diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, vomiting^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increase in erection

Rare (less than 0.1%): Priapism

Postmarketing reports: Penile hemorrhage, hematospermia^[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Increase in transaminases

Rare (less than 0.1%) Increase in gamma-glutamyl-transferase^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reactions

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, increase in creatine phosphokinase (CPK), increased muscle tone and cramping, myalgia^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Visual disturbance, ocular hyperemia, visual color distortions, eye pain and eye discomfort, photophobia, increase in intraocular pressure, conjunctivitis

Rare (less than 0.1%): Increased lacrimation

Postmarketing reports: Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), visual disturbances including vision loss (temporary or permanent), such as visual field defect, retinal vein occlusion, and reduced visual acuity.^[Ref]

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a cause of decreased vision including permanent loss of vision, has been reported rarely postmarketing in temporal association with the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, including vardenafil.^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Accidental injury, flu syndrome, tinnitus, vertigo, chest pain, feeling unwell

Postmarketing reports: Cases of sudden decrease or loss of hearing in temporal association with the use of PDE5 inhibitors, including this drug^[Ref]