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Ask the Experts about Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment
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levitra
Jun 17, 2008

My primary care physician prescribed levitra, 10 mg for ED. I am taking norvir/prezista/raltegravir, etravirine, and truvada. My pharmacist was very alarmed and said there could be serious side effects. I know about priaprism (sp), but my pharmcist said norvir could boost levitra levels 49 fold. Is this true? Should I be alarmed?

Response from Dr. Henry

Protease inhibitors can increase the blood levels and risk for side effects of all of the Viagra/Cialis/Levitra like drugs used for erectile dysfunction. Low doses are often used with caution initially and then the dose can be carefully escalated as tolerated. Your pharmacist is appropriate with his/her concern but those drugs can often be used together with caution and common sense under direction of an HIV specialist. KH



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