Revatio and Viagra contain the same active ingredient called sildenafil.
Your healthcare provider will prescribe Revatio or Viagra based on what condition you have.
Viagra is FDA-approved to treaterectile dysfunction(ED).
Getty Images /United Archives/ Contributor
Erectile dysfunction is a condition in which males have difficulty maintaining an erection during sexual activity.
Uses
Revatio is marketed to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.
PAH is a progressive disease that causes high blood pressure in the lungs, making breathing difficult.
Revatio can improve an individuals ability to exercise without experiencing shortness of breath and prevent the disease from worsening.
Viagra, on the other hand, is marketed to help people maintain apenile erection.
Both Revatio and Viagra contain the same active ingredient, sildenafil.
Off-label uses of either Revatio or Viagra are studied under its generic form, sildenafil.
Other uses of sildenafil include:
Dosage
Viagra is only available as tablets taken by mouth.
Revatio comes in three different dosage forms: intravenous injection, oral suspension, and oral tablet.
Consult your healthcare provider to determine the proper dosage for you.
Main Similarities
Revatio and Viagra require a prescription from your healthcare provider.
Despite Revatio and Viagra being approved for different conditions, they both contain the same active ingredient.
Since both medications contain sildenafil, they work the same way.
Revatio and Viagra are classified as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
Since Revatio and Viagra work the same, they share similar side effects and drug interactions.
Blocking PDE5 increases the levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).
When cGMP rises, nitric oxide increases.
Both Revatio and Viagra follow the same mechanism; they’re just advertised to manage different conditions.
Blocking PDE5 results in an increase in blood flow to the penis, which causes an erection.
When using Revatio for PAH, the medication will block PDE5 in the smooth muscles of the lungs.
As a result, the blood vessels widen, causing a decrease in pressure in the lungs.
If left untreated, it may result in permanent problems.
Who Should Not Take Viagra or Revatio?
When using Viagra or Revatio, there have been reports of a decrease or loss of hearing.
If you experience this symptom, you should stop taking either medication immediately.
How Effective Are They?
Based on these results, Revatio was approved for treating PAH to improve exercise ability.
How Quickly Do They Work?
Therefore, Viagra may be taken between 30 minutes to four hours before sexual activity.
Which Should You Take?
Both medications contain the same active ingredient but are studied and targeted for different conditions.
Summary
Revatio and Viagra both contain the same active ingredient, sildenafil.
However, they are used to treat different conditions.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe either Revatio or Viagra based on the specific condition you gotta manage.
The author would like to recognize and thank Alexya Rosas and Yufeng Zhai for contributing to this article.
DailyMed.Label: Viagra- sildenafil citrate, film coated.
American Lung Association.Learn about pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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Published 2023 Nov 29. doi:10.1093/sexmed/qfad059
