Revatio Vs Viagra: Dosage, Side Effects, Functionality, And More

Revatio vs Viagra – in this article, we’ll compare both these medicines on multiple factors; like dosage, side effects, functionality, and much more.

Overview

The pharmaceutical industry has products of similar substances that work for different causes and has different effects on the human body. Revatio and Viagra are made of the same ingredient: Sildenafil. They are manufactured by the same company – Pfizer. They also come under the same family of drugs – Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE type 5) inhibitors. Revatio and Viagra are simply administered at unique doses as they treat different conditions, although via the same route.

Revatio is used to treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), whereas Viagra is widely used to Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Viagra has been the original brand name of Sildenafil that is used to increase blood flow in the penis and other parts of the body.

Revatio Vs Viagra

1. Dosage

Revatio is available as tablets, injections, and oral suspension. The tablets usually have a 20 mg dosage that is administered 3 times a day at a lower dose. The injection has a 10 mg / 12.5 ml dosage. The oral suspension is taken with a combination of 1.57 g of sildenafil citrate, 90 ml of water, and a 2 ml oral syringe, giving a total of 112 ml. It stays in the body for up to 4 hours and reaches its peak effects within one or two hours of consumption.

Viagra is taken 30 minutes to four hours before sexual activity. It is taken in a relatively higher dosage starting from 25 mg to 50 mg up to 100 mg. It should be taken only once per day. Stays in the body for four to six hours. Ideally, consume Viagra 30 minutes to an hour before sexual activity to ensure you are hard only when it matters most.

2. Side Effects

Revatio and Viagra may impart some common side effects as they constitute the same primary ingredient-  Sildenafil.

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping
• Blurred vision
• Edema (Swollen hands/ankles/feet)
• Stomach upset
• Nose bleeds

Revatio can have some adverse effects such as diarrhea and nasal congestion. Whereas Viagra may contribute to back pain, abdominal pain, and rashes.

3. Functionality

Revatio and Viagra are used to treat different conditions. But the primary ingredient Sildenafil is processed by the liver. Therefore, Revatio and Viagra are processed by the same CYP3A4 enzymes. They should not be used with other drugs without proper consultation with the doctor.

Sildenafil’s primary function is to relax and widen the blood vessels, which results in increasing the blood movement to the particular part of the body depending on whether it is Revatio or Viagra. 

Revatio works by relaxing the muscles and opening up the blood vessels in the lungs which decrease the blood pressure in the lungs. Arteries become wider and the clogged plaque begins to clear up and normalize blood pressure to the heart. It increases the ability of the body to exercise itself.

Viagra works to attain and maintain an erection of the penis by increasing the blood flow to the penile structure. Keep in mind, Viagra works for erectile dysfunction only if sexually aroused.

Revatio and Viagra cannot be used for alternate purposes as the dosage and constituents vary. Interactions of other medicines, drugs, and vitamins might change the way the drug works. Hence, a medical professional must be consulted before you consume either of these medicines.

4. Precautions

Drugs that should not be taken with any form of Sildenafil are:

• Nitrates. Namely isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate or nitroglycerin. 
• Guanylate cyclase stimulators, such as Riociguat.

Taking these drugs along with Sildenafil will cause the blood pressure to drop to a fatally low and unsafe level, leading to possible coma or cardiac arrest.

5. Allergy warnings

Allergic reactions of Sildenafil include

• Trouble breathing
• Swelling of neck, tongue

5.1. Alcohol Interaction

The consumption of alcohol while on medication of Sildenafil might increase the risk of low blood pressure. More than 2 small drinks will also reduce the effects of the medicine. Therefore, alcohol consumption (while consuming Viagra or Revatio) without the doctor’s approval should not be done.

5.2. Other Health Conditions

• Heart problems – People with heart problems have higher risks of low blood pressure alongside other risks such as heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening heart rhythm problems.
• Eye problems – This drug may cause sudden vision loss in one or both the eyes. This condition may be a sign of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION). If you already have a history of NAION, there is a higher risk of NAION to reoccur and cause vision changes with the use of this drug.
• A problem with the shape of the penis – If you have a problem with the shape of the penis such as the Peyronie’s disease, this drug raises the risk of having an erection to last more than 4 hours.
• History of stomach ulcers or bleeding – This drug raises the risk of the formation of stomach ulcers, bleeding within the intestinal lining or degradation in the digestive system. This may occur with or without symptoms and can be fatal (might cause death).
• Sickle cell anemia – This drug may cause a painful complication of sickle cell anemia called the vaso-occlusive crisis. Thus, consulting a doctor before the intake of this drug is necessary.

6. Warnings

• For pregnant women – The drug’s adverse effect on the fetus is unlikely. However, it is better to consult the doctor before the intake of this drug while pregnant. Consumption of Viagra for erectile dysfunction is not advisable for women, rather consume Flibanserin or Bremelanotide if you are experiencing low libido as a woman.
• For women who are breastfeeding – Sildenafil can pass to the breast milk and can affect the child who is breastfed. The doctor will suggest you medicinal stabilizers to reduce the harmful mixture of breastmilk and sildenafil. Over and above all, he may suggest alternative medicines to Revatio, in low doses, to reduce the chances of side effects.
• For children – Children below 18 years should not consume this drug as the possibility of building a future dependence on these drugs is high and can disrupt their view of sexual activity.

Revatio Vs Viagra: Wrap Up

Depending on the medical condition, Revatio and Viagra are used as generic medicines. It is important to consult the doctor before the intake of any of these two drugs as they can lead to adverse health risks. These drugs should not be used for treating alternative medical conditions.

The dosage must also be provided with precautions, especially in the case of an oral suspension of Revatio. Another point that is good for your knowledge of such blood pressure tablets is the pricing – Viagra is more expensive as compared to Revatio. But these are amongst the top 3 medicines for treating clogged arteries and erectile dysfunction.