{"id":353303,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:47","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/levitra-recent-news.html"},"modified":"2024-01-29T08:36:11","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T13:36:11","slug":"levitra-recent-news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/levitra-recent-news.html","title":{"rendered":"Levitra Recent News"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Levitra Recent News<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Levitra, a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction, was approved by the FDA in 2003 but discontinued in 2018 for business reasons. Despite its effectiveness, the drug was linked to serious side effects like hearing loss, heart attack, and dangerously low blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Levitra was the brand name for Vardenafil. It was an erectile dysfunction (ED) drug that helped men achieve and sustain an erection. Levitra was similar to other ED drugs, such as Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil). Bayer Pharmaceuticals, the original manufacturer of Levitra, submitted the drug to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval in 2003. The FDA officially approved the medication on August 19, 2003.<\/p>\n

Levitra<\/a>\u00a0is a PDE-5 inhibitor (Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor). This class of drugs works to increase blood flow to the penis. Like other drugs that help with erectile function, Levitra blocks an enzyme that inhibits the brain’s creation of nitric oxide.<\/p>\n

Nitric oxide increases blood flow within the blood vessels of the penis. For men who have a problem gaining an erection, Levitra significantly helped them enjoy sexual activity.<\/p>\n

Many patients took Levitra for years. The drug was on the market from 2003 until 2018, when Bayer discontinued it. The company said they did this for business reasons. However, there is evidence that Levitra had severe side effects, including deafness and heart attack.<\/p>\n

Here, we’ll offer a brief history of Levitra, from when it hit the market until Bayer discontinued the drug in 2018.\u00a0Generic versions<\/a>\u00a0of this medication are still available. We’ll explain what to do if you suffer harm after taking one of these drugs.<\/p>\n

You’ll want a strong legal advocate by your side if you pursue legal action against a drug manufacturer. This is no small task, as pharmaceuticals have teams of in-house attorneys to defend against lawsuits. Contact a product liability attorney<\/a> near you to learn your rights and explore your legal options.<\/p>\n

Side Effects and Risks of Levitra<\/h2>\n

Shortly after the FDA approved Levitra, the agency began to issue safety alerts about the drug. Specifically, the FDA ordered Bayer and other manufacturers of Vardenafil, such as GlaxoSmithKline, to add black box warnings to their products’ labels.<\/p>\n

The FDA has concerns over some of the adverse side effects of Levitra. Clinical trials found the following side effects:<\/p>\n