Revatio (Sildenafil)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Revatio Used For?
Revatio contains sildenafil, which belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It is specifically designed to treat a serious condition affecting the lungs and heart.
Primary Uses
Revatio is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your lungs. This condition makes it harder for your heart to pump blood through your lungs.
How It Works
Revatio works by relaxing the blood vessels in your lungs, which helps lower the blood pressure in these vessels and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood through them.
How to Take Revatio
Take Revatio exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Following the correct dosing schedule is important for the medication to work effectively.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one 20 mg tablet taken three times a day, with doses spaced 6-8 hours apart. Take the tablets at the same times each day to maintain consistent levels in your body. You can take Revatio with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Continue taking your medicine every day for as long as your doctor tells you.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose and it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this could be dangerous.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Indigestion
- Stuffy nose
- Muscle aches, back or limb pain
- Rash
- Diarrhea or upset stomach
- Numbness or tingling skin sensation
- Breathlessness or coughing
- Fever or flu-like symptoms
- Nosebleeds
- Difficulty sleeping
- Hay fever
- Prolonged erection
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden vision problems including blurred, decreased or distorted vision
- Objects appearing smaller or further away than they are
- Changes to color vision or blue tint to vision
- Loss of eyesight in one or both eyes
- Greater awareness of light
- Loss of hearing, which may include ringing or persistent noise in ears
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations and medical conditions that may prevent you from taking Revatio safely.
Who Should Not Take Revatio
Do not take Revatio if you: are taking nitrite or nitrate medications for chest pain or heart conditions; are taking guanylate cyclase stimulators like riociguat; have had a heart attack or stroke in the last 6 months; have severe liver problems; have unusually low blood pressure that isn’t effectively treated; have an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa; have sudden vision problems or loss of vision from NAION; are taking certain antifungal medicines like ketoconazole or itraconazole; are taking ritonavir for HIV; are allergic to sildenafil or any ingredients in Revatio.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: heart or blood vessel problems; high blood pressure; diabetes, especially with eye problems; leukemia or multiple myeloma; bleeding disorders like hemophilia or frequent nosebleeds; stomach ulcers; sickle cell anemia; pulmonary veno-occlusive disease; any penis disease or deformity; previous sudden vision or hearing problems. Also inform your doctor if you’re taking other erectile dysfunction treatments containing sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Revatio should not be used during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks with you if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. You should not breastfeed while being treated with Revatio. Revatio is not approved for use in children under 18 years of age.
Emergency Situations: Stop treatment immediately and seek urgent medical attention if you experience sudden vision problems, loss of sight, or an erection lasting more than 4 hours.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact dangerously with Revatio or affect how well it works. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medications you’re taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid drinking grapefruit juice as it may increase the level of sildenafil in your blood.
- Nitrate medicines for angina (glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, nicorandil, sodium nitroprusside)
- Guanylate cyclase stimulators like riociguat
- Alpha-blockers for high blood pressure or prostate problems
- Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
- St John’s wort for mild anxiety
- Rifampicin for leprosy or tuberculosis
- Erythromycin antibiotic
- Saquinavir for HIV infection
- Cimetidine for stomach ulcers
- Other pulmonary arterial hypertension medicines (bosentan, epoprostenol, iloprost)
- Antifungal medicines (ketoconazole, itraconazole)
- Ritonavir for HIV
Alcohol & Driving
Revatio can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol. Be aware of these important safety considerations.
Alcohol
You may feel lightheaded if you drink alcohol while taking Revatio. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol so they can advise you appropriately.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Revatio affects you. Revatio can cause dizziness and vision changes. If you experience changes in vision or dizziness while taking Revatio, do not drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Store Revatio tablets below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep tablets in their original packaging until it’s time to take them, as they won’t keep as well if removed from the pack. Store in a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above ground, away from children. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. If your doctor tells you to stop taking Revatio or the medicine has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of any leftover tablets.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Revatio, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you don’t feel unwell. For injection form, overdose is unlikely as it’s given under medical supervision, but tell your doctor or nurse if you think a dose was missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Revatio tablets can be taken with or without food. Take them with a full glass of water.
If you miss a dose and it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
You may feel lightheaded if you drink alcohol while taking Revatio. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol so they can advise you appropriately.
You must take Revatio tablets every day and continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you. This is a long-term treatment for your condition.
Stop treatment with Revatio immediately and seek urgent medical attention if you have sudden vision problems including blurred, decreased or distorted vision, changes to color vision, or loss of eyesight in one or both eyes.
No, you should not take other erectile dysfunction treatments containing sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil while taking Revatio, as it contains the same active ingredient (sildenafil) used for erectile dysfunction.
No, do not use drugs containing amyl nitrite (sometimes called ‘poppers’) while taking Revatio, as this can be dangerous.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.