Sildenafil (By injection)

sil-DEN-a-fil

Treats pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs).

Drug classes

Vasodilator (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Sildenafil injection is used to treat the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension. This is a type of high blood pressure that occurs between the heart and the lungs. When hypertension occurs in the lungs, the heart must work harder to pump enough blood through the lungs.

Sildenafil belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It works on the PDE5 enzyme in the lungs to relax the blood vessels. This will increase the supply of blood to the lungs and reduce the workload of the heart.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Injectable

Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.

A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not use this medicine if you also use riociguat or a nitrate medicine. Do not take other medicines that contain sildenafil or similar medicines, such as tadalafil or vardenafil.

Some medicines can affect how sildenafil works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:

Amlodipine, bosentan, doxazosin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, ritonavir Medicine for high blood pressure

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to sildenafil.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, diabetes, bleeding problems, leukemia, multiple myeloma, sickle cell anemia, a stomach ulcer, or eye problems. Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, heart failure, high cholesterol, or high or low blood pressure. Also tell your doctor if you smoke.

Tell any doctor who treats you that you take sildenafil.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Low blood pressure (especially if taken with other medicines that lower blood pressure) Heart problems Painful or prolonged erection Vision or hearing problems

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden or severe headache

Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

Lightheadedness, fainting

Painful erection or an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours

Sudden loss of vision

Sudden decrease in hearing or hearing loss, ringing in the ears, dizziness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Headache

Nosebleeds

Stuffy or runny nose

Upset stomach

Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Revatio

There may be other brand names for this medicine.