What Revatio is used for
Revatio is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs). Revatio brings down the blood pressure by relaxing these vessels. Revatio tablets contain the active ingredient sildenafil (present as sildenafil citrate) which belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Revatio has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you take Revatio
When you must not take it
Do not take Revatio if:
1. you are being treated for angina (chest pain), or other heart conditions, with certain medicines called nitrates
Nitrate medicines include glyceryl trinitrate (also called nitroglycerin). Common tradenames include tablets; such as Anginine and Tridil; patches such as Nitro-Dur, Nitradisc, Transiderm-Nitro, Nitrocor, Nitroderm TTS and Minitran; sprays such as Nitrolingual and injections such as Nitronal.
Common tradenames for other nitrate preparations include tablets such as Imdur Durule, Sorbidin, Isordil, Carvasin, Corangin, ISMO 20, Imtrate, Coronex, Duride, Ikorel and Sodium Nitroprusside.
There may be other tradenames not listed here.
2. you are using amyl nitrite
3. you have suffered a heart attack or stroke in the last 6 months
4. you have severe liver problems
5. your blood pressure is unusually low and is not effectively treated
6. you have an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa
7. you have loss of vision in one or both eyes from an eye disease called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
8. you are taking certain medicines used to treat fungal infections including ketoconazole and itraconazole
9. you are taking ritonavir a treatment for HIV infection
10. you have an allergy to:
sildenafil or similar medicines
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
An allergic reaction can include:
hives, itching or skin rash
swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may lead to difficulty swallowing or breathing
11. the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering, or does not look quite right even if the tablets may look all right
12. the expiry date on the pack has passed
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if:
You have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes
You have previously had sudden loss of eyesight in one or both eyes
You have any of the following medical conditions:
you have heart or blood vessel problems
you have high blood pressure
diabetes, especially if you also have eye problems
leukaemia (cancer of the blood cells)
multiple myeloma (a cancer of the bone marrow)
any bleeding disorder such as haemophilia or problems with nose bleeds
stomach ulcer
a disease of the blood called sickle cell anaemia
pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (blockage or narrow vein in the lung)
any disease or deformity of your penis
you are receiving any treatment for male erectile dysfunction (impotence) including Viagra which contains the same medicine as Revatio. Other medicines used to treat impotence include Cialis and Levitra
you are receiving other treatments for your condition
previously experienced sudden decrease or loss of hearing
You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
REVATIO should not be used during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks with you.
You are breastfeeding.
You should not breastfeed while taking REVATIO.
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Revatio.
Taking other medicines
Do not take Revatio if you are using nitrate medicines for angina.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
These medicines include Tracleer (bosentan), Flolan (epoprostenol) or Ventavis (Iloprost).
You may need to take different medicines or take different amounts of your medicine.
Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Revatio may interfere with each other. These include:
medicines called alpha-blockers. These are used to treat high blood pressure or prostate problems.
some medicines used to treat epilepsy such as phenytoin, carbamazepine and phenobarbital
St John's Wort that may be used to treat mild anxiety
Rifampicin used to treat leprosy or tuberculosis
An antibiotic called erythromycin
Saquinavir a medicine used to treat HIV infection
Cimetidine for stomach ulcers
You may need to take different medicines or different amounts of your medicine. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines. They also have a more complete list of medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Revatio.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist, if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines.
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice. It may increase the level of sildenafil in your blood.
You may feel lightheaded if you drink alcohol while you are taking Revatio.
How to take Revatio
Take Revatio exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
The usual dose of Revatio tablets is one 20 mg tablet taken three times a day (taken 6-8 hours apart).
The usual dose of Revatio intravenous solution for injection (Revatio IV) is 10 mg three times a day (given 6-8 hours apart) whilst you are unable to take Revatio tablets.
How to take it
Swallow the Revatio tablet whole with a full glass of water.
Revatio IV is given as an injection into a vein by a doctor or trained nurse.
When to take it
Take Revatio at the same times each day.
Taking Revatio at the same times each day will have the best effect. It will also help you to remember when to take it. Revatio can be taken with or without food.
How long to take it
You must take Revatio every day. Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take Revatio tablets, take a dose as soon as you remember, then continue to take your tablets at the usual times.
Do not take a double dose to make up for missed tablets.
Revatio IV will be given to you under close medical supervision. It is unlikely that a dose would be missed.
However, tell your doctor or nurse if you think that a dose has been forgotten.
If you take too much (Overdose)
If you take too much, you are more likely to experience side effects.
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone in Australia 13 11 26; in New Zealand 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) for advice if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Revatio. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort.
While you are using it
Things you must do
Stop using Revatio if you have a loss of eyesight in one or both eyes. Seek medical attention urgently. If you are about to start taking any new medicines, especially nitrates, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Revatio.
See "Before you take Revatio" for a list of common nitrate medications.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Revatio.
Things you must not do
Do not use the drug amyl nitrite (sometimes called "poppers") while you are taking Revatio.
If you get an angina attack do not take nitrate medicines to relieve the pain but tell your doctor immediately. Make sure your doctor knows you are taking Revatio.
Do not take Revatio to treat any other conditions unless your doctor says so.
Do not give Revatio to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Things to be careful of
Revatio can cause dizziness and effects on vision. You should be aware of how you react to Revatio before you drive or operate machinery.
If you experience changes in vision, or dizziness, when taking Revatio, you should not drive or operate machinery.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Revatio.
While Revatio helps most people it can cause some unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines have side effects. If unwanted effects occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not get any of them.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
headache
dizziness
flushing
indigestion
stuffy nose
changes in vision such as blurring, a blue colour to your vision or a greater awareness of light
muscle aches, back or limb pain
rash
diarrhoea or upset stomach
a numbness or tingling skin sensation
breathlessness or coughing
fever or flu like symptoms
nose bleeds
difficulty sleeping
hayfever
Rarely men have lost vision in one or both eyes some time after taking drugs such as Viagra, Cialis or Levitra to treat impotence (known as erectile dysfunction). It is not known at this time if these medicines can cause vision loss. If you lose sight in one or more eyes while taking Revatio, seek medical attention urgently.
A small number of people have reported a loss of hearing, which may include a ringing or other persistent noise in the ears and dizziness, while taking Revatio. It is not known whether hearing loss is related to Revatio. If you experience any loss of hearing, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be side effects not yet known.
If you notice any other symptoms that worry you, check with your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand anything in this list.
After using Revatio
Storage
Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep Revatio in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on windowsills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep the tablets in their pack until it is time to take them. If you take your tablets out of the pack they will not keep as well.
Revatio IV will be stored in the pharmacy or on the hospital ward and is kept below 30°C.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Revatio, or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Revatio Tablets are white and round in shape. The tablets are marked with "PFIZER" on one side and "RVT 20" on the other.
The tablets are available in blister packs containing 90 tablets in each box.
Revatio IV comes as a clear, colourless solution in a glass vial.
Ingredients
Revatio Tablets
Active ingredients
Revatio 20 mg - sildenafil 20 mg
Other ingredients
microcrystalline cellulose
calcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous
croscarmellose sodium
magnesium stearate
hypromellose
titanium dioxide (E171)
lactose
glycerol triacetate
Revatio IV
Active ingredients
Revatio IV 0.8 mg/mL - contains 10mg of sildenafil in each 12.5mL vial.
Other ingredients
glucose
water for injection
Supplier
Revatio is supplied in Australia by:
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
ABN 50 008 422 348
38-42 Wharf Road
West Ryde NSW 2114
Australia
Toll Free number: 1800 675 229
Australian Registration Numbers
Revatio 20 mg - AUST R 119102
Revatio 0.8 mg/mL solution for injection - AUST R 171474
This leaflet was prepared in September 2011
© Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd 2006
