Viagra and Revatio are often considered the same medicines, which is untrue.
The two medicines have many differences that you might not be aware of.
Viagra is a popular medicine for Erectile Dysfunction, whereas Revatio treats Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
Apart from this, Revatio and Viagra differ in several other parameters.
These include dosage, salt composition, and others.
This article will draw a fair comparison between Revatio vs Viagra.
We will also give an outlook on the differences between the two medicines.
Table of Contents
What is the difference between Revatio and Viagra
The primary difference between Viagra and Revatio is the purpose of their use.
Viagra treats Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in men or Assigned Males at Birth (AMAB).
In contrast, Revatio treats patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).
However, both medicines have FDA approval for treating the respective medical conditions.
Viagra targets and works to inhibit the Phosphodiesterase (PDE5) enzyme in the penis.
Revatio relaxes lung muscles, allowing the blood to flow better.
It reduces blood pressure in the lungs, thereby relieving PAH.
Also, the two medicines differ in their salt composition (amount of Sildenafil).
The severity of ED may vary in individuals, and so does the dose of their medication.
For the same reason, Viagra is available in many doses ranging from 25 to 100 mg per tablet.
But, a Revatio tablet contains a fixed amount of Sildenafil, i.e., 20 mg.
However, unlike Viagra, Revatio also comes as oral suspension and injections.
Source: Getty_imagesRevatio vs Viagra working
Since Viagra and Revatio treat different conditions, their working also varies.
Under PAH, a person experiences excessive blood pressure in their lungs.
Revatio works by dilating blood vessels in the lungs and relaxing the muscles.
This action reduces the blood pressure in the lungs, relieving PAH symptoms.
Viagra works to inhibit the working of the PDE5 enzyme in the penis.
PDE5 enzyme turns penile muscles smooth, making an erection challenging.
Sildenafil in Viagra allows higher blood flow in the penile tissues.
This action of the medicine helps in facilitating an erection.
It is how Viagra helps in regulating Erectile Dysfunction in men or AMAB.
However, the men undergoing clinical trials got hard erections.
It led to the accidental discovery of Viagra as an ED treatment.
Revatio and Viagra side effects
Revatio and Viagra contain the same active salt, Sildenafil.
It means that the two medicines have the same impacts and side effects.
Revatio regulates high blood pressure in the lungs, while Viagra inhibits penile PDE5 activity.
Like other medicines, one may have certain side effects after taking Revatio and Viagra.
The intensity of these side effects ranges from mild to severe and varies in different individuals.
Some common to rare side effects of Sildenafil are:
Common side effects
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Indigestion
- Runny or stuffy nose
Rare side effects
- Dry eyes or mouth
- Twitching in muscles
- Difficulty in breathing
- Priapism
- Seizures
- Abnormal vision/ Vision loss
If the side effects persist or your condition worsens, consult your doctor.
Revatio vs Viagra: A comparison
We have talked about the parameters that differ between Revatio and Viagra.|
To help you understand better, let’s draw a comparison table.
| Parameters | Revatio | Viagra |
|---|---|---|
| Working | Dilates blood vessels and relieves blood pressure in the lungs | Inhibits PDE5 enzyme action in the penis, facilitating an erection |
| Condition treated | Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) | Erectile Dysfunction (ED) |
| Organ targeted | Lungs | Penis |
| Available as | Oral pill Oral Suspension Injections | Oral pill |
| Dosage | 20 mg (Orally) 10 ml (Injection) | 25, 50, and 100 mg |
| Suitable for | Men (or AMAB) and Women | Men (or AMAB) |
Ultimately
Viagra and Revatio constitute the same ingredient (Sildenafil) but work differently.
Aside from this, there are several other distinctions between the two medicines.
The FDA approves Revatio to treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Viagra to treat Erectile Dysfunction.
Discuss your symptoms with a doctor for accurate advice and get suitable treatment.
Frequently Asked Question
Is Revatio the same as Viagra?
No. Revatio is a brand name Sildenafil that treats Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).
On the contrary, Viagra is another brand of Sildenafil for Erectile Dysfunction in men or Assigned Males at Birth (AMAB).
However, both these medicines are FDA-approved and are manufactured by Pfizer.
Does Revatio work as good as Viagra?
Revatio and Viagra are FDA approved for different medical purposes.
Revatio is FDA-approved for treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).
Viagra, on the other hand, holds FDA approval for treating Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in men or Assigned Men at Birth (AMAB).
However, both medicines have the same effects on one’s body.
How long does Revatio take to work?
Sildenafil in Revatio takes about 30 mins to an hour to show its full results.
At about 60 mins, the medicine is at its maximum effectiveness.
Revatio is the brand name of Sildenafil, marketed to treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).
