revatio

Revatio (sildenafil) relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body.

Revatio is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and improve exercise capacity in men and women.

Viagra is another brand of sildenafil used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men.Do not take Revatio while also taking Viagra, unless your doctor tells you to.

Revatio may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with sildenafil. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines, especially riociguat (Adempas).

Do not take Revatio if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and some recreational drugs such as "poppers". Taking Revatio with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.

Stop using Revatio and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Revatio if you are allergic to sildenafil, or:

• if you take other medicines to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, such as riociguat (Adempas).

Do not take Revatio if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, and isosorbide mononitrate. Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking Revatio with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.

To make sure Revatio is safe for you, tell your doctor about your other medical conditions, especially:

• heart disease or heart rhythm problems, coronary artery disease;

• a recent history (in the past 6 months) of a heart attack, stroke, or congestive heart failure;

• high or low blood pressure;

• liver or kidney disease;

• a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;

• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;

• a stomach ulcer;

• retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);

• a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie"s disease); or

• if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.

Revatio can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking sildenafil, most of whom also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old. It is not clear whether sildenafil is the actual cause of vision loss.

Revatio is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether sildenafil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give Revatio to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice.

How should I take Revatio?

Take Revatio exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Revatio is usually taken three times each day, about 4 to 6 hours apart.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Revatio dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Pulmonary Hypertension:

Revatio:
Oral:
-Initial dose: 5 or 20 mg orally three times a day, 4 to 6 hours apart
-Maximum dose: 20 mg orally three times a day

Injection:
-Initial dose: 2.5 or 10 mg IV bolus three times a day

Comments:
-No greater efficacy was achieved with oral doses higher than the maximum recommended dose.
-A 10 mg injection dose is predicted to provide pharmacological effect equivalent to the 20 mg oral dose.

Use: Treatment of PAH (WHO Group I) in adults to improve exercise ability and delay clinical worsening

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Revatio, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Revatio?

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with sildenafil and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking Revatio.

Avoid using any other medicines to treat impotence, such as alprostadil or yohimbine, without first talking to your doctor.

Revatio side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Revatio: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking Revatio and get emergency medical help if you have:

• heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;

• vision changes or sudden vision loss; or

• erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours (prolonged erection can damage the penis).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;

• irregular heartbeat;

• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;

• shortness of breath;

• seizure (convulsions); or

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Common Revatio side effects may include:

• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

• headache, dizziness;

• abnormal vision (blurred vision, changes in color vision)

• stuffy nose;

• muscle pain, back pain; or

• upset stomach.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Revatio?

Do not take Revatio with similar medications such as avanafil (Stendra), tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra).

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• an antibiotic such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin;

• antifungal medicine such as ketoconazole or itraconazole;

• medicine to treat HIV/AIDS, such as atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, or saquinavir; or

• drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with sildenafil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.