Revatio vs. Viagra: Differences and Similarities
April 19, 2021
4 mins
Sometimes it can be very easy to confuse different medications in the world of pharmaceuticals. There are often several similar substances and chemicals that are marketed under completely different brand names.
Two of the most commonly confused medications are Viagra® and Revatio. Both of these pharmaceuticals contain the same active ingredient of sildenafil and they are both sold by the same company: Pfizer. However, that’s pretty much where the similarities end as there are quite a few more differences between these two medications than most people seem to think.
What is Viagra®?
Easily the most famous treatment for erectile dysfunction, Viagra® is classified as a PDE5 inhibitor that helps to relax smooth muscles found in the penis and improve the blood flow to them in order to help achieve and maintain erections.
Pfizer originally developed sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra®, in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a potential treatment for hypertension and angina. During the early tests, researchers discovered that sildenafil was actually a significantly more effective treatment for erectile dysfunction than for hypertension. Throughout the 1990s, sildenafil went through numerous clinical trials and in 1996 received an official patent.
Pfizer began using the brand name Viagra® to market sildenafil as a treatment for erectile dysfunction and put the medicine on the market in 1998. There are three different dosage sizes for Viagra®: 25 mg, 50mg, and 100mg. The typical dose is the 50mg version, but it’s not uncommon for a patient to be prescribed a 100mg dose.
Once Viagra® has been taken, it will stay in the body for around three to five hours. It takes about 30 minutes or so for the Viagra® to start working and the maximum benefits are felt after an hour.
What is Revatio?
Another brand name for sildenafil is Revatio. Unlike Viagra®, which is marketed specifically for treating erectile dysfunction, Revatio is marketed as a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension which is a form of high blood pressure that affects the arteries found in the lungs.
Revatio and Viagra® are both brand names owned and manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, who originally designed, tested, and marketed sildenafil. While Viagra® has been an available medication on the health market since the late 1990s, Revatio wasn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration until June of 2005.
Revatio contains a lower dose of sildenafil than Viagra® as each tablet only contains around 20 mg of the chemical. Other than dosage size, there is no difference between the sildenafil found in either Viagra® or Revatio.
They are essentially both the same drug, with the same side effects on the body. This means that while Revatio is intended to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, it can also provide relief from erectile dysfunction. Although the amount of sildenafil is lower when compared to a tablet of Viagra®, many men with mild or moderate erectile dysfunction have found that it can be effectively treated by the 20mg of sildenafil provided by Revatio.
What are the Differences Between the Two?
The two biggest differences between Viagra® and Revatio are exactly what they are intended for and the typical size of the doses. Revatio is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, while Viagra® is used to treat erectile dysfunction. Along with the differing typical dosage sizes, Revatio also differs in that it can be administered as a tablet, injection, or oral liquid. Additionally, Revatio is administered three times a day while Viagra® is only used “as needed” before sexaul activities begin.
Revatio
Drug class: Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor
Status: Brand name and generic version available
What is the generic name? Sildenafil citrate
What forms are available? Oral tablet, injection, oral suspension
What is the intended treatment? Pulmonary arterial hypertension
What is the standard dosage? 20 milligrams three times a day
How long is the treatment? Short term or long term as dictated by doctor
Age restrictions: Must be an adult 18 years and older
Viagra®
Drug class: Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor
Status: Brand name and generic version available
What is the generic name? Sildenafil citrate
What forms are available? Oral tablet
What is the intended treatment? Erectile dysfunction
What is the standard dosage? 25mg, 50mg, or 100mg taken within an hour of sexual activity
How long is the treatment? Short term or long term as dictated by doctor
Age restrictions: Must be an adult 18 years and older
What Do They Treat?
While being composed of exactly the same active ingredient of sildenafil, Revatio and Viagra® are intended to treat two completely different conditions. Revatio is marketed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and can help to improve the ability to exercise and delay the worsening of the disease. Viagra® is marketed to specifically treat erectile dysfunction and helps a man to achieve and maintain erections for penetrative sexual intercourse.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a fairly rare, progressive disease that affects the lungs. It’s characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs and will usually cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and dizziness. Around 10 and 15 people for every one million of the population will be diagnosed with this disease every year.
Viagra®, or its nickname “little blue pill” may suggest, is much more well known than Revatio since more men are affected by erectile dysfunction than they are by pulmonary arterial hypertension. It’s estimated that roughly 30 million men are affected by erectile dysfunction in the United States alone so Viagra® will have many more users than Revatio. Sildenafil can also be used to treat a few other conditions as well:
High altitude pulmonary edema may occur when fluid builds up in the lungs at certain altitudes
Raynaud’s phenomenon which is characterized by the discoloration and loss of sensation of the fingers and toes in certain temperatures
Women experiencing female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) which affects roughly 26% of American women
Sildenafil is not a primary treatment for these other conditions and is only recommended when other treatments have tried and been unsuccessful.
How Effective are They?
Both Viagra® and Revatio are effective treatment options for their respective purposes. Sildenafil, the active ingredient found in both, is overall shown by clinical trials to be a safe and effective drug.
In a systematic review, treatment with sildenafil for 12 weeks or more was found to improve the clinical symptoms of individuals with pulmonary hypertension. It was also found to help delay the progression of the disease in adults.
A similar review for men with erectile dysfunction found that sildenafil was both effective and well tolerated. When compared to a placebo, sildenafil helped to improve erectile dysfunction with generally mild side effects.
What are the Side Effects?
The list of the common side effects that are associated with sildenafil is pretty small as it’s considered to be a fairly safe medication. The most common side effects are headaches, indigestion and flushing (warmth and redness of the face or body). Most of these conditions are only felt by around 20% or fewer of patients so even though they are the most common, they are still relatively rare.
While there are other side effects listed, they are more and more rare down the line.
Some of the side effects that may be possible when taking sildenafil include:
Headaches
Indigestion
Flushing
Dizziness
Nausea
Nasal congestion
Abnormal vision
Back pain
Muscle pain
Shortness of breath
Insomnia
Diarrhea
Rash
There are some possibilities for serious consequences depending on other medications being taken. Sildenafil is mainly processed by the liver and by CYP3A4 enzymes, so it should not be used with any other drugs that affect how these enzymes work. CYP3A4 inhibitors like ketoconazole and ritonavir can increase the level of sildenafil and cause adverse and dangerous side effects.
In addition, Revatio and Viagra® should not be taken with drugs such as nitrates, alpha blockers, and other blood pressure medications like antihypertensives. Combining these drugs may result in hypotension, or dangerously low blood pressure.
How Rex MD Can Help
Viagra® and Revatio have plenty of similarities, mainly the fact that they both contain the same active ingredient of sildenafil and are manufactured by Pfizer. However, they are used to treat completely different conditions, have different dose sizes, and one is taken daily while the other is taken when needed.
Sildenafil is the active ingredient found in both Viagra® and Revatio and is considered to be a fairly safe and effective drug. Whether it’s being used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension or erectile dysfunction, sildenafil has been found to be a leading option for both conditions.
The most important thing when considering taking these medications is to talk to a healthcare professional about how they could potentially affect other medications that you are taking. Outside of that issue, sildenafil only has rare side effects that are very rarely more than an inconvenience.
If you're curious which ED medications might be right for you, a Rex MD clinician can help. The process is all online, and ordering is easy. Click here to get started with a free online consultation today.
More Articles Like this
Is There a Way to Tell if a Man is Taking Viagra?
Here’s what you need to know about Viagra, including how it works, what to expect after taking it, how to tell if your partner is using it.
Does Hydrogen Peroxide Help with ED?
Hydrogen peroxide has certain properties that might be beneficial in promoting blood flow and tissue repair. Discover how hydrogen peroxide can be an alternative treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Erectile Dysfunction in Gay Men
Erectile dysfunction can affect men of any sexual orientations, but there are unique factors to consider in the context of gay men's experiences. Learn about the distinct causes of ED among gay men and get guidance for addressing these specific challenges.
Top 10 Sex Toys for Men
Finding the right sex toy can take a while and will depend largely on personal tastes. However, if you are looking for a few toys to start with, these are the 10 best toys for men.
Different Types of Nuts and Their Benefits
Are you nuts for nuts? Rex MD discusses common different types of nuts, their nutritional value, and the potential health benefits they provide.
Best Over-the-Counter ED Medications
While prescription medications like Viagra and Cialis can help effectively treat erectile dysfunction, some men opt for over-the-counter remedies. Here’s a detailed look at some of the best over-the-counter options for ED.
What is Testofen and What is it Used for?
Testofen is a daily supplement that claims to boost testosterone production in men. Here is everything that you need to know about it.
Vardenafil: Risk and Uses
Looking for an alternative to Viagra®? Vardenafil is another medication used to treat erectile dysfunction symptoms. Here's everything you need to know about Vardenafil.
Is Surgical ED Treatment Right for You?
Erectile dysfunction can be an issue for men of all ages, but is surgery the best treatment option? Before you consider going under the knife, here are other options.
5 Tips to Increase Blood Flow to Erectile Tissue
Increasing the blood flow to your penis is one of the most effective ways to reduce erectile dysfunction. Here are five tips that can help.