Revatio
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Revatio
Revatio is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor medicine. It acts by relaxing blood vessels in certain areas of the body, which decreases blood pressure.
Therapeutic Uses of Revatio
Revatio relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body. Revatio may also be used for other purposes as determined by your doctor.
Direction of use of Revatio
Revatio is usually taken three times daily, approximately 4 to 6 hours apart. It can be taken with food or on empty stomach. If you have any question about the use of Revatio, you should consult your doctor.
If You Miss a Dose of Revatio
If you miss a dose of Revatio, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and keep taking it as usual. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
How to Store Revatio
Revatio should be stored at room temperature away from moisture, heat and direct light. It should be stores in a tightly closed container. Keep Revatio out of reach of children.
More Information About Revatio
Do not share Revatio with others and you should use it for yourself, because it is prescribed for you and not for others. If you have any question about Revatio, you should ask your doctor or other health care provider.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Revatio
Do not take Revatio if you are taking a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, like nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate etc.), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket etc.). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking Revatio with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure (severe hypotension), leading to fainting, stroke, or heart attack.
Before you start taking Revatio, you should inform your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (including Revatio), or if you have any medical conditions that are listed below:
- Any heart disease, heart rhythm problems, congestive heart failure, a recent history (especially in the past 6 months) of a heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease (CAD), high blood pressure or low blood pressure etc.
- If you have any liver disease, kidney disease, a stomach ulcer etc.
- If you are suffering from a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia (blood cancer) or a bleeding disorder like hemophilia.
- If you are suffering from an inherited condition of the eye (like retinitis pigmentosa), a physical deformity of the penis (like Peyronie's disease) or if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.
If you are suffering from any of the medical conditions listed above you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Revatio before you take this medication.
Revatio can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden loss of vision. This may occur in a small number of people taking Revatio, 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. Though it is not clear whether Revatio is the actual cause of vision loss.
Do not use Revatio if you are pregnant. If you plan to become pregnant during treatment of Revatio you should consult your doctor. It is not known if Revatio passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. But you should not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast feeding your baby.
Possible Adverse Effects of Revatio
- Stop using Revatio and consult your doctor at once if you have any of the serious side effects of it. The serious side effects of Revatio are sudden vision loss, sudden change of vision, sudden hearing loss, ringing in your ears, irregular heartbeat; swelling in hands, ankles, or feet; shortness of breath, feeling light headed, fainting, painful erection of penis especially that lasts 4 hours or longer, chest pain, heavy feeling in chest, chest pain spreading to the arm or shoulder; nausea, sweating, general ill feeling etc.
- Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction like hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, skin rash.
- During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right away. You could be having a serious side effect of Revatio.
- Less serious and common side effects of Revatio are nausea, vomiting, back pain, stomach upset, stuffy nose, warmth or redness in your face, neck, or chest. If any of these common side effects become persistent and troublesome to you, consult your doctor.
- This is not a complete list of side effects and there may be some other side effects of Revatio. Inform your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect that you may experience.