Levitra is an erectile dysfunction medicine based on the active ingredient vardenafil. It is sold under different trade names including the most popular Levitra, but also Staxyn in India and Vivanza in Italy. This medicine was developed and patented by the German pharmaceutical company Bayer Pharmaceuticals and is now available throughout the world.

As its main competitors, Viagra and Cialis, Levitra also belongs to the PDE-5 inhibitors class – a type of pharmaceutical agents that have a unique selective inhibitory effect on phosphodiesterase type 5 enzymes (PDE-5 for short) which play a crucial role in ED problems. Levitra’s mechanism of action resolves this issue in accordance with the body’s natural mechanisms and biochemical processes.

Here, we will take a look at how exactly is this achieved.

What’s on this page?

Chemical structure of Levitra’s active ingredient (vardenafil)

As mentioned, Levitra belongs to the PDE-5 inhibitor class of compounds with the chemical formula of C23H32N6O4S  1. One can notice the pronounced structural similarities to sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient in Viagra (C22H30N6O4S). In fact, the only difference between the two is the position of a nitrogen atom and the change of piperazine ring methyl group characteristic to sildenafil to an ethyl group as a result of a change in the position of nitrogen.

Levitra as PDE-5 inhibitor

PDE-5 inhibitors have a unique mechanism of action which makes them especially suitable for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, but also of other conditions that are caused by narrowing of the blood vessels like pulmonary arterial hypertension, or others like benign prostatic hyperplasia. But, let’s take a step back and first take a look at what are PDE-5 enzymes and what is their function.

This type of enzymes that exists naturally in the human body and in healthy males, it plays an important role in driving the blood away from the penis after ejaculation by narrowing the blood vessels within the organ. In this way, injuries to the penis or conditions such as priapism are successfully prevented. However, men that have been struggling with impotence usually have heightened levels of PDE-5 in their system which cause the blood vessels within the penis to narrow prematurely.

The role of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in erectile function

PDE-5 enzymes work their magic by degrading another specific type of compounds called cyclic guanosine monophosphate, or cGMP for short. This substance is tasked with relaxing the smooth muscle tissue lining the blood vessels within the penis, thus causing increased blood flow within the spongy tissue of the penis and subsequently, an erection. In order to reverse this process, PDE-5 enzymes simply degrade cGMP molecules, causing the narrowing of the blood vessels and the withdrawal of blood from the penis, returning the organ to the placid state. Naturally, with elevated levels of PDE-5, the erection will either last too short or will not occur at all.

This is where Levitra comes in. Once present in the organism, it acts as a competitive binding agent of PDE-5 due to structural similarities with cGMP. The result is an increased presence of cGMP and, by extension, stronger and longer lasting erection. This means that with Levitra the smooth muscle tissue will stay relaxed, keeping the blood vessels opened wide and blood flow at a high enough intensity to produce noticeable effects.

What Levitra doesn’t do?

While there has been some talk about Levitra helping women reach orgasm, especially if their difficulties are caused by antidepressants, there is, as of now, no scientific evidence to prove these claims. In fact, from the data available today, this story is most likely a hoax aimed at increasing the sales of fake Levitra medicines. Just like other PDE-5 inhibitors, Levitra was designed for the use in men and has only been tested in that scenario. What’s more, as it is a prescription medication, a medical professional would be familiar with this fact and would never prescribe Levitra to a woman since consequences cannot be foreseen.

On the other hand, Levitra is not an aphrodisiac nor does it do anything for your sexual prowess aside from solving the physiological problems that cause ED in the majority of cases. In other words, the mechanism of action described above is the only thing that Levitra does and it does it safely and reliably. Any other use would go against the intended function of the medicine, so it’s important to keep that in mind!

How safe is Levitra compared to Viagra?

As with most prescription medications, certain side effects have been identified, but they are common to all PDE-5 inhibitors. As one can assume, they all stem from the fact that these ED medicines have a shared mechanism of action. The most common side effects include:

  • Headache
  • Indigestion
  • Flushing of the face
  • Dizziness
  • Stuffy nose

Less common yet more dangerous issues can manifest in a fraction of patients and these can include abdominal pain, shortness of breath, swelling of the face, mouth and larynx, red and watery eyes, hypertension and low blood pressure. If you experience any of these, it is important to contact the doctor immediately, especially if you notice some of the common symptoms of an allergic reaction. In case of PDE-5 inhibitors, allergic responses are known to be very severe.

Conclusion

Levitra is a big competitor to Viagra, and it is not without reason. This medicine is just as reliable and effective which is to be expected, based on the common mechanism of action. Throughout the years, it has proven time and time again to be a viable alternative to the iconic “little blue pill”. The reasons for choosing Levitra can include allergic reaction to Viagra or one of its ingredients or price difference and availability. Whatever is the reason you might be considering this treatment, consultations with a doctor will give you the most precise information about why this medicine may or may not be the best option just for you.

References:

  1. Open Chemistry Database – Vardenafil