Doctors have used Sildenafil to treat pulmonary hypertension (PH) for many years.
It dilates blood vessels, making it easier for blood to get into the lungs. This medication is better known as a remedy for erectile dysfunction, but doctors often prescribe it for people with retrograde pulmonary hypertension.
Due to the drug’s popularity for treating PH, pharmacists specifically launched a separate brand. Sildenafil with the brand name Viagra is for erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension has the brand name Revatio.
According to a 2006 study, for 20 years since it was launched on the market, Sildenafil has become an effective oral drug for people with symptomatic pulmonary hypertension. For example, those who have no contraindications to intravenous Prostacyclin can use it.
Sildenafil didn’t lead to significant side effects in any of the subtypes of pulmonary hypertension, except in children after heart surgery.
Accordingly, if the doctor believes this drug is safe for people with pulmonary hypertension, he will write a prescription and indicate the required dosage.
In this case, consultation with the doctor is mandatory since some restrictions exist.
For example, pharmacists should doubt prescribing Sildenafil for residual hypertension in people with valvular heart disease.
In 2017 the U.S.Pharmacist published this warning based on the study of SIOVAC presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Barcelona.
According to scientists, off-label drug use doubled the risk of hospitalization compared with placebo.
Conclusion
Sildenafil dilates blood vessels, making it easier for blood to get not only into the penis but also into the lungs.
So, doctors have used the drug to treat PH for many years.
The drug has almost no serious side effects.
There are two restrictions. Use it with care in the following cases:
- Children after heart surgery;
- People with valvular heart disease.
Currently, these are all known restrictions. However, the decision to use Sildenafil (Revatio) for pulmonary hypertension is within the doctor’s competence.
