Type of medicine: PDE-5 inhibitor; antihypertensive
Generic and brand names: sildenafil citrate, oral; sildenafil citrate, injection; Revatio
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat pulmonary hypertension.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Do not take this medicine if you are taking nitrate products (such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, or isosorbide mononitrate) for the treatment of angina (chest pain).
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
The injection form of this medicine will be given by a healthcare provider.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take your dosage of this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Take the tablets at the same times every day, least 4 to 6 hours apart. Do not take more than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: chest pain, nausea, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness fainting.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. If you need emergency medical care for a heart problem, it is very important you inform the healthcare provider when you last took this medicine.
This medicine may affect your vision. You may have trouble telling the difference between blue and green. Talk with your healthcare provider about this. If you have a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, contact your healthcare provider or get medical help right away.
This medicine may cause sudden decrease or loss of hearing or ringing in the ears. If this occurs, contact your healthcare provider or get medical care right away.
This medicine may lower your blood pressure and cause you to feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours, dizziness, fainting, change in vision or abnormal vision (eyes sensitive to light, blurred vision, change in color vision), loss of hearing, ringing in the ears, rash, chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeat, worsening shortness of breath, sudden or severe headache, nosebleeds, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet; unexplained swelling in hands, ankles, or feet.
Other: Headache, nausea, flushing, diarrhea, runny or stuffy nose, back pain, muscle aches, trouble sleeping, heartburn.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Grapefruit affects the way this medicine works and may increase the risk of side effects.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
