According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, impotence drugs, including Levitra, are very safe for most men with no history of cardiovascular disease. While not ruling out the use of these drugs, the FDA urges caution for those who have suffered a stroke, heart attack, or significant heart rhythm disturbance during the previous six months. Others who should exercise caution in using these medications include men with a history of angina or congestive heart failure, men with low blood pressure, and men with uncontrolled hypertension over 170/110.
If you’re taking nitrate-based medications, such as nitroglycerin for angina, you must never take PDE5 inhibitors at the same time. Each of these medications lowers blood pressure significantly, and taking both concurrently can cause a life-threatening drop in blood pressure.
Most of Levitra’s side effects are mild and disappear after you’ve been using the drug for a while. Although relatively rare, the drug sometimes causes a temporary loss of hearing or vision or an erection that lasts more than four hours. See a doctor immediately if you experience one of these more serious side effects.