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Sildenafil Tablets (Pulmonary Hypertension)

Sildenafil is a medication that treats pulmonary arterial hypertension. This is a condition that causes high blood pressure in your lungs. It works by relaxing your blood vessels and lowering the blood pressure in your lungs. The brand name of this medication is Revatio®.

What is this medication?

SILDENAFIL (sil DEN a fil) treats pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition that causes high blood pressure in the lungs. It works by relaxing your blood vessels and lowering the blood pressure in your lungs, which makes it easier for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body. It can also help you breathe easier and be more active.

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This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Revatio

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • Abnormal penis shape or Peyronie disease
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Eye or vision loss problems
  • Heart disease
  • Low blood pressure
  • History of blood diseases, such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia
  • History of painful and prolonged erection
  • Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD)
  • Stomach ulcers, other stomach or intestine problems
  • An unusual or allergic reaction to sildenafil, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  • Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • Breastfeeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

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NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

  • Nitrates, such as amyl nitrite, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerin
  • Riociguat
  • Vericiguat

This medication may also interact with the following:

  • Bosentan
  • Certain medications for blood pressure

Other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all of the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Tell your care team right away if you have any change in your eyesight or hearing.

This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.

Contact your care team right away if you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours or if it becomes painful. This may be a sign of a serious problem and must be treated right away to prevent permanent damage.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Hearing loss or ringing in ears
  • Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
  • Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
  • Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
  • New or worsening shortness of breath
  • Prolonged or painful erection
  • Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
  • Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes

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Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

  • Facial flushing or redness
  • Headache
  • Nosebleed
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.

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