Revatio

The active ingredient in Revatio is sildenafil citrate. It is a phosphodiesterase-5 or PDE-5 inhibitor that relaxes blood arteries in certain parts of your body. The mechanism of action for treating pulmonary hypertension is that it blocks an enzyme in the body called PDE5, which helps relax certain blood vessels. This improves blood flow and decreases blood pressure in the lungs. Your heart can pump more efficiently, your body receives more oxygen, and you should be able to breathe and move more comfortably.

PDE-5 blockers relax blood arteries in other parts of the body, increasing blood flow, which is why they are also used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide, before using Revatio. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Revatio:

• Revatio is typically taken three times each day, approximately four to six hours apart.
• Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before measuring a dose. Use the included dosing syringe or a pharmaceutical dose-measuring instrument (not a kitchen spoon).
• If you become dizzy or sick during sexual activity, or experience pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, cease immediately and contact your doctor. You could be experiencing a significant adverse effect from Revatio.

The most common side effects of sildenafil seen in clinical trials include:

• Trouble sleeping.
• Headaches.
• Nasal congestion.
• Shortness of breath.
• Nose bleeds.
• Muscle pain or back pain.
• Upset stomach.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Revatio. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Erection lasting more than four hours (priapism).
• Loss of vision.
• Loss of hearing.
• An allergic reaction to the medication.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Revatio. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Revatio, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including whether you have:

• Other medications for pulmonary arterial hypertension, including riociguat (Adempas).
• Heart disease or other major heart issues (chest pain or angina, cardiac rhythm abnormalities, or heart attack).
• High blood pressure.
• Low blood pressure.
• Blood circulation issues.
• Retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited eye condition.
• Blindness in either or both eyes.
• Bleeding disorders.
• A stomach ulcer.
• Pulmonary venous-occlusive disease (PVOD).
• Liver or kidney illness.
• A blood cell condition that includes sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, sickle cell anemia, and leukemia.
• A penile malformation (such as Peyronie's disease).
• Been instructed you should avoid sexual intercourse for health reasons.
• Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

Revatio is contraindicated in individuals who use nitrate medications in any form, whether routinely or intermittently, because of the increased risk of hypotension (low blood pressure) or other serious adverse events. You should also avoid Revatio if you are taking a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator like riociguat.

Revatio reaches peak blood levels about 1 to 2 hours after each dose, although it may take many months for the medication's full effects to take effect. People taking sildenafil (Revatio) reported significant gains in exercise performance after roughly 4 weeks, according to research.

When Revatio is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder.
• Similar medications such as avanafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil.
• Antifungal medicine such as ketoconazole or itraconazole.
• Medicine to treat HIV/AIDS, such as ritonavir and others.
• Any nitrate medication, amyl nitrate, nitrite, nitroglycerin, or dinitrate.
• Alpha-blockers.
• Isosorbide mononitrate.
• Bosentan.
• Epoprostenol.

Revatio is available in the following dosage forms and strengths: 10 mg and 20 mg oral tablets, 10mg/12.5 mL injectable solution, and 10mg/mL oral suspension. The typical oral dose is 10 mg or 20 mg, 3 times a day.

Store at room temperature and out of reach of children.

Pfizer is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Revatio.

There are several lower-cost generic versions available.

If you stop taking Revatio abruptly, your symptoms may worsen. Do not stop taking Revatio unless your doctor instructs you to.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant. It is unclear whether sildenafil will harm an unborn fetus. However, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) during pregnancy can lead to difficulties such as heart failure, stroke, or medical issues in both the mother and the infant. The benefits of treating PAH with Revatio may exceed the risks to the newborn.

Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.