Revatio intravenous is a prescription-only medicine used in men and women to symptomatically treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (elevated blood pressure in the right portion of the heart and in the arteries supplying the lungs).
Revatio intravenous works by preventing the action of an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type-5 in the lungs and dilates the blood vessels there.
Therefore, sildenafil and other similar drugs are collectively called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It is available as:
Before using Revatio intravenous, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Together with your doctor, you can decide whether the medication will do you more goods than the harms.
Here are some factors to be considered before deciding to use this medicine:
Allergies
Inform your doctor about the allergies you have, such as to this medication, other medications, or to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Pediatric
In general, sildenafil is not used in children.
Geriatric
It may be used in elderly after adjusting the doses.
Pregnancy
It is generally safe for use in pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
It may be used in a nursing mother after assessing risks and benefits of the use.
Drug Interactions
Taking two medicines together can be harmful due to possible interactions. In other cases, even if there is a possible interaction between two medicines your doctor may advise you to take them together after adjusting the dose or issuing precautions. Here is a list of the medicines which in general are not recommended to be used with sildenafil. Inform your doctor if you are using any of these medicines:
- Amprenavir
- Amyl Nitrite
- Boceprevir
- Cobicistat
- Darunavir
- Erythrityl Tetranitrate
- Fosamprenavir
- Isosorbide Dinitrate
- Isosorbide Mononitrate
- Lopinavir
- Molsidomine
- Nelfinavir
- Nitroglycerin
- Nitroprusside
- Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate
- Riociguat
- Telaprevir
Though usually not recommended, your doctor may decide, after adjusting dose or frequency of one or both medicines, to use this medicine with any of the following medicines:
- Ceritinib
- Clarithromycin
- Dabrafenib
- Dihydrocodeine
- Fluconazole
- Idelalisib
- Itraconazole
- Lumacaftor
- Nefazodone
- Nilotinib
- Piperaquine
- Simeprevir
- Telithromycin
- Voriconazole
Rarely and only when absolutely needed, this medicine may be used with the following medicines even if using them together may put you at risk of certain side effects. In such cases, you may have to take the adjusted dose or change the frequency of intake.
- Alfuzosin
- Bosentan
- Bunazosin
- Ciprofloxacin
- Delavirdine
- Doxazosin
- Erythromycin
- Etravirine
- Ketoconazole
- Moxisylyte
- Nebivolol
- Prazosin
- Rifapentine
- Silodosin
- Tamsulosin
- Terazosin
Other Interactions
Taking your medicine together with certain foods or items such as alcohol or tobacco may cause undesirable interactions. Talk to your doctor to know if using this medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco is safe. DO NOT take sildenafil with the following:
Medical Problems
Certain medical conditions might influence the effects (both positive and adverse) and action of sildenafil. Inform your doctor about the following conditions, if any:
- Structural or birth defects of penis such as curved penis: Use cautiously.
- Unstable angina
- Recent arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms)
- Blood vessel diseases such as aortic stenosis
- Recent heart attack
- Heart failure
- High or low blood pressure
- Problems of retina
- Retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited disorder of the eye)
- Other eye disorders
- Recent stroke: Do not use sildenafil.
- Adults above 50
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Hyperlipidemia (high blood level of fats)
- History of eye disorders causing damages to optic nerves such as Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
- Smoking: May increase risk of NAION.
- Blood clotting problems in the past
- Current or past stomach ulcer: Safety not established.
- Severe kidney or liver problems: Use cautiously.
- Blood cancers such as leukemia and multiple myeloma
- Sickle-cell anemia (abnormal red blood cells): Use cautiously.
- Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease or PVOD (a lung disorder): Use cautiously.
Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Revatio intravenous to avoid unwanted potential side effects.
Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
More common:
- Swollen face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- Nosebleeds
- Breathing difficulties
- Fever
- Abnormal weight gains or loss
- Chest discomfort
- Tingling sensations in the hands or feet
Less common:
- Numbness, tingling or sensations of pinpricks
Mild and non-serious side effects usually go away on their own without requiring medical intervention. You may also ask your doctor to learn more about how you may prevent or reduce the side effects.
Talk to your doctor if the side effects persist or worry you, including:
More common:
- Excessive stomach acid
- Burps
- Diarrhea
- Movement problems
- Flushing or red skin
- Headache
- Pain in joint or muscles
- Nausea
- Painful limbs
- Sleep problems
- Swelling in the joints
Less common:
- Heartburns
- Cough
- Painful areas around the eyes and cheekbones
- Stuffy nose
- Sneezing
The side effects of the medicine are not limited to the ones listed above. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any side effects that are uncommon or worry you. To report side effects to the FDA, contact at 1-800-FDA-1088.
