Revatio vs Viagra: Differences, Similarities, and Which One Is Better For You

Drug vs. Drug Friend

It can be easy to confuse the active ingredient found in Revatio and Viagra. Although they are each marketed to treat a different condition, they both contain the same main ingredient: sildenafil. Both drugs are also produced by the same manufacturer, Pfizer.

Revatio and Viagra are part of a family of drugs called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. Other drugs in this category include Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil). They work by increasing a substance called cGMP in the blood. This causes the blood vessels to dilate, which results in different effects depending on the dose of the drug.

With the availability of generic sildenafil, it’s important to know the difference between its two brands. Although Revatio and Viagra share the same ingredient, they are dosed differently and used for different conditions.

What are the main differences between Revatio and Viagra?

The main difference between Revatio and Viagra is in the way they are used. Revatio is used for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) while Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

Revatio is available in different dosage forms such as tablets, injections, and oral liquids. Compared to Viagra, Revatio is given three times a day at a lower dose.

Viagra is taken at a higher dose no more than once a day. It is usually taken between 30 minutes and 4 hours before sexual activity.

Main Differences Between Revatio and Viagra
	Revatio	Viagra
Drug Class	phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor	phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor
Brand / Generic Status	Available in generic and branded versions	Available in generic and branded versions
What is the generic name?	Sildenafil Citrate	Sildenafil Citrate
What form does the drug come in?	Oral Tablet Injection Oral Suspension	Oral tablet
What is the dosage standard ?	20 mg three times a day	50 mg 1 hour before sexual activity, if needed
How long does typical treatment last?	Short-term or long-term as directed by a physician	Short-term or long-term as directed by a physician
Who typically uses the drug?	Adults 18 years and older	Adults 18 years and older

Source: Revatio and Viagra

Terms covered by Revatio vs. Revatio Viagra

Revatio is marketed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It can help improve exercise capacity and delay the worsening of the disease. Viagra is marketed to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help men get and maintain an erection for sexual intercourse. Both medications contain sildenafil, which is FDA-approved for the treatment of PAH or ED depending on the dose.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare and progressive disease that affects the lungs. It is characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs and causes symptoms such as shortness of breath and dizziness. Between 10 and 15 people per million population are diagnosed with the disease each year.

Viagra, more commonly known as the little blue pill, may be more well-known than Revatio since more men may be suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) than those with PAH. Erectile dysfunction is estimated to affect 18 million men in the United States, which makes Viagra a popular drug for this reason.

Off-label uses of sildenafil include the treatment of pulmonary edema from high altitude. High-altitude pulmonary edema occurs when fluid accumulates in the lung at certain altitudes. In those who experience Raynaud’s phenomenon, sildenafil may be considered for treatment. Raynaud’s phenomenon is characterized by discoloration and loss of sensation of the fingers and toes at certain temperatures. Sildenafil is only recommended as an option when other treatments are not available or have already been tried.

Sildenafil has also been shown to help treat women suffering from this disorder female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD). This disorder is common in up to 26% of American women.

Condition	Revatio	Viagra
Pulmonary arterial hypertension	Yes	Yes (generic sildenafil)
Erectile dysfunction	Yes (generic sildenafil)	Yes
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema	Off-label	Off-label
Raynaud’s Phenomenon	Off-label	Off-label
Female Sexual Arousal Disorder	Off-label	Off-label

Is Revatio or Viagra more effective?

Both Revatio and Viagra contain the same active ingredient: sildenafil. Because brand names are marketed for different purposes, they are effective in their own way. Overall, clinical trials have shown that sildenafil is safe and effective.

In a systematic review, treatment with sildenafil for 12 weeks or more improved clinical symptoms of pulmonary hypertension. Sildenafil has also been found to help delay disease progression in adults.

According to a similar review of men with erectile dysfunction, sildenafil was found to be effective and well-tolerated. Compared to placebo, or no treatment at all, sildenafil helped improve erectile dysfunction with generally mild side effects. Sildenafil may be especially beneficial for men with Peyronie’s disease, a penile tissue disorder in which scar tissue can cause the penis to bend abnormally.

Depending on your condition, Revatio or Viagra may be prescribed. Talk to your doctor to find out which treatment might work best for you. Since they both contain the same ingredient, generic sildenafil may be prescribed in most cases.

Revatio vs. Revatio Cost Coverage & Comparison Viagra

As a brand-name drug, Revatio is generally not covered by most insurance and Medicare plans. Generic sildenafil, however, is often covered by insurance plans. The average retail price can be over $200. A SingleCare coupon card can be used to reduce this cost to around $13.95 depending on the pharmacy you go to.

Viagra is usually prescribed in small amounts of two to 10 tablets at a time as it is taken as needed. Most Medicare and insurance plans do not cover brand-name Viagra. Some insurance companies will require prior authorization for brand-name medications in order for them to cover the medication. The average retail cost of Viagra can range from $130 to over $200. With a SingleCare discount card, this cost can be reduced to less than $50 for two generic 50mg tablets.

	Revatio	Viagra
Typically covered by insurance?	Not	Not
Typically covered by Medicare?	Not	Not
Standard Dosage	20 mg (amount of 30 tablets)	50 mg (quantity of 2 tablets)
Typical Medicare Copay	$3–$770	$22
SingleCare Cost	$13.95+	$50+

Common Side Effects of Revatio vs. Revatio Viagra

The most common side effects associated with sildenafil, the active ingredient in Revatio and Viagra, are headache, indigestion (dyspepsia), and redness (warmth and redness of the face or body).

Based on clinical trials, those taking Revatio may experience other side effects such as insomnia, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nasal congestion, and muscle pain (myalgia). According to studies with Viagra, other common side effects may include nasal congestion, back pain, muscle aches, nausea, dizziness, and rashes.

More serious side effects of sildenafil may include blurred vision or hearing loss.

	Revatio	Viagra
Side effect	Applicable?	Frequency	Applicable?	Frequency
Headache	Yes	46%	Yes	Twenty-one %
Indigestion	Yes	13%	Yes	9%
rinsing	Yes	10%	Yes	19%
Dizziness	Yes	*not reported	Yes	4%
Nausea	Yes	*	Yes	3%
Nasal congestion	Yes	4%	Yes	4%
Abnormal vision	Yes	*	Yes	Two%
Back pain	Not	–	Yes	4%
Muscle pain	Yes	7%	Yes	Two%
Shortness of breath	Yes	7%	Yes	<2%
Insomnia	Yes	7%	Yes	<2%
Diarrhoea	Yes	9%	Not	–
Rash	Not	–	Yes	Two%

This may not be a complete list. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for possible side effects.
Source: DailyMed ( Revatio ), DailyMed ( Viagra )

Drug interactions of Revatio and Viagra

Sildenafil is mainly processed by the liver. Therefore, both Revatio and Viagra interact with many of the same medications. Because Revatio and Viagra are processed by CYP3A4 enzymes, they should not be used with other drugs that affect the functioning of these enzymes.

CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ritonavir and ketoconazole can increase the level of sildenafil in the blood and cause negative side effects.

Revatio and Viagra should not be taken with other medications called nitrates, alpha-blockers, and other blood pressure medications (antihypertensives). Taking these medications together can increase the risk of hypotension or dangerously low blood pressure.

Riociguat is a medication that can treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. Due to its possible hypotensive effects, it is not recommended for use while taking sildenafil.

Drug	Drug Class	Revatio	Viagra
Ritonavir Ketoconazole Itraconazole Erythromycin	CYP3A4 inhibitors	Yes	Yes
Isosorbide Dinitrate Isosorbide Mononitrate Nitroglycerin Amyl Nitrite	Nitrates	Yes	Yes
Terazosin, Tamsulosin , Doxazosin, Alfuzosin	Alpha Blockers	Yes	Yes
Amlodipine Lisinopril Losartan Valsartan Hydrochlorothiazide	Antihypertensive	Yes	Yes
Riociguat	Guanylate cyclase (GC) stimulators	Yes	Yes

This may not be a complete list of all possible drug interactions. Consult a doctor with any medications you may be taking.

Revatio and Viagra Warnings

Because Revatio and Viagra can affect blood pressure, their use should be advised in people with very low blood pressure or on medications for high blood pressure. Those with heart disease or those taking medication for chest pain may need to take special precautions. Taking sildenafil may increase the risk of worsening heart disease, chest pain, or heart attacks in severe cases.

Although rare, some Revatio or Viagra users have experienced a condition called anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION). This condition is characterized by a decrease or sudden loss of vision. Another related negative side effect is the sudden decrease or loss of hearing. These negative side effects have also been observed with other PDE-5 inhibitors.

Priapism is a persistent and painful erection that lasts more than 4 hours. It is a rare adverse side effect associated with sildenafil. If you experience this adverse effect, seek medical attention immediately. Leaving priapism untreated could cause damage to the penile tissue.

Talk to a doctor if you have any underlying condition before taking Revatio or Viagra.

FAQs on Revatio vs. Revatio Viagra

What is Revatio?

Revatio (sildenafil) is a prescription medication used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adults aged 18 years and older. It works by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow to certain areas of the body. It is usually taken as a 20 mg tablet three times a day to help improve exercise capacity and delay disease progression.

What is Viagra?

Viagra is the trade name for sildenafil citrate. It is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men 18 years of age and older. It works by relaxing the smooth muscle of the blood vessels to increase blood flow to the penis. Viagra can be taken as needed 1 hour before sexual activity.

Is Revatio and Viagra the same?

Revatio and Viagra contain the same active ingredient: sildenafil. However, both contain several strengths of sildenafil. Revatio is taken at a lower dose three times a day while Viagra is taken at higher doses no more than once a day.

Is Revatio or Viagra better?

Both medications are effective in treating the indicated conditions. Revatio is effective for treating pulmonary hypertension while Viagra is effective for treating erectile dysfunction. Both drugs contain the same active ingredient in different doses. Talk to your doctor to determine which form of sildenafil is best for you.

Can I use Revatio or Viagra while pregnant?

Sildenafil has been shown to help treat certain conditions in women. However, data on sildenafil use during pregnancy are limited. Some studies show that there does not appear to be an increased risk of adverse effects with sildenafil. Consult a doctor for medical advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Can I use Revatio or Viagra with alcohol?

Drinking alcohol while on Revatio or Viagra is generally not recommended. Taking Revatio or Viagra and drinking alcohol could increase your risk of negative side effects such as dizziness, hot flashes, and headaches.

Does Revatio work for erectile dysfunction?

Revatio is specifically marketed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Revatio is available as tablets at a lower dose than Viagra. Therefore, it may not be as effective as Viagra, which contains a higher dose of sildenafil. Talk to your doctor before using sildenafil for ED as some doses are more effective than others.

How long does it take for Revatio to work?

The most noticeable reductions in blood pressure for people with PAH may be seen within 1 to 2 hours of administration with Revatio. Sildenafil and its active metabolite have a half-life of approximately 4 hours. For this reason, Revatio should be taken every 4 to 6 hours .

Does Revatio work like Viagra?

Revatio contains the same active ingredient as Viagra. Both medications contain sildenafil which can help treat different conditions depending on the dose administered. Revatio provides sildenafil at a lower dose for the treatment of PAH while Viagra tablets contain sildenafil at higher doses for the treatment of ED.