Brand-name Levitra has been discontinued in the United States, but the same medication is still available as generic vardenafil. Bayer, the original manufacturer, pulled all strengths of Levitra from the U.S. market between 2018 and 2021. The FDA confirmed this was a business decision, not a safety concern. If you previously took Levitra, you can still get the identical active ingredient in generic form.
Why Bayer Discontinued Levitra
Bayer notified the FDA in a series of letters between 2018 and 2021 that it was discontinuing Levitra tablets in all four strengths (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg). The FDA moved the drug to its “Discontinued Drug Product List” and formally determined that Levitra was not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness. This distinction matters: it means the discontinuation was driven by commercial factors, likely competition from generics and other erectile dysfunction medications, not by any newly discovered risk.
Generic Vardenafil in the U.S.
Generic vardenafil tablets are FDA-approved and sold by multiple manufacturers, including Alembic Pharmaceuticals, which received approval for 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets. These generics contain the same active ingredient at the same doses and must meet the same FDA standards for absorption and effectiveness as the original brand.
Pricing varies significantly by strength. At listed retail prices, 20 mg tablets run roughly $15 per pill, while lower-strength tablets can be surprisingly expensive without insurance or discount coupons. The 10 mg disintegrating tablet (the form that dissolves on your tongue, originally sold as Staxyn) is also available generically at around $13 per tablet. Pharmacy discount programs and manufacturer coupons can bring costs down substantially from retail list prices.
Levitra Outside the U.S.
In the European Union, Levitra remains an authorized medicine. The European Medicines Agency lists it as currently approved, with its most recent regulatory update in January 2025. So if you’ve seen Levitra still sold in other countries, that’s legitimate. The discontinuation was specific to the U.S. market.
How Vardenafil Works
Vardenafil increases blood flow to the penis by blocking an enzyme that breaks down a chemical signal involved in erections. You take it about 60 minutes before sexual activity, and it requires sexual stimulation to work. The drug stays active in your body for roughly 4 to 5 hours based on its half-life, though individual experiences vary. It’s taken as needed, not daily, and should not be used more than once in 24 hours.
The standard starting dose for adults under 65 is 10 mg. For adults 65 and older, the recommended starting point is 5 mg. Your prescriber may adjust the dose up to 20 mg or down based on how well it works and how you tolerate it.
Who Should Not Take Vardenafil
The most important safety rule is that vardenafil cannot be combined with nitrate medications, which are commonly prescribed for chest pain. The combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. This applies to nitrates taken regularly or occasionally.
Vardenafil is also not appropriate for people on kidney dialysis, those with severe liver disease, or those with a heart condition where sexual activity itself poses a risk. People with congenital long QT syndrome or who take certain heart rhythm medications should avoid it because vardenafil can affect the heart’s electrical timing.
Additional caution applies if you have sickle cell anemia, Peyronie’s disease (scarring that curves the penis), or conditions that increase the risk of prolonged erections. A rare but serious side effect involving sudden vision loss in one eye has been reported with this class of medication, so anyone with a history of that condition should weigh the risks carefully.
How It Compares to Other Options
Vardenafil sits in the same drug class as sildenafil (originally Viagra) and tadalafil (originally Cialis). All three work through the same basic mechanism. The practical differences come down to timing: vardenafil and sildenafil both last roughly 4 to 5 hours and are taken before sex, while tadalafil lasts much longer and can also be taken as a low daily dose. Some people find they respond better to one than another, or tolerate the side effects of one more easily, so switching between them is common.
If you had a Levitra prescription and your pharmacy told you it’s no longer available, ask for generic vardenafil. It’s the same drug at the same doses, and any prescriber familiar with your history can write the updated prescription without additional testing.