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Sildenafil Drug Information Provided by Lexi-Comp

This information has been developed and provided by an independent third-party source. Merck & Co., Inc. does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the content, or for practices or standards of non-Merck sources.

Pronunciation

(sil DEN a fil)

Generic Available (U.S.)

No

Index Terms

  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • UK92480

U.S. Brand Names

  • Revatio®
  • Viagra®

Canadian Brand Names

  • ratio-Sildenafil R
  • Revatio®
  • Viagra®

Pharmacologic Category

  • Phosphodiesterase-5 Enzyme Inhibitor

Pharmacologic Category Synonyms

  • PDE5 Inhibitor

Use: Labeled Indications

Revatio®: Treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (WHO Group I) to improve exercise ability and delay clinical worsening

Viagra®: Treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED)

Use: Unlabeled/Investigational

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in children

Pregnancy Risk Factor

B

Pregnancy Considerations

Teratogenic effects were not observed in animal studies. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Less than 0.001% appears in the semen.

Lactation

Excretion in breast milk unknown/use caution

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to sildenafil or any component of the formulation; concurrent use (regularly/intermittently) of organic nitrates in any form (eg, nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate); concurrent use with a protease inhibitor regimen when sildenafil used for pulmonary artery hypertension (eg, Revatio®)

Warnings/Precautions

Concerns related to adverse effects:

• Color discrimination: May cause dose-related impairment of color discrimination. Use caution in patients with retinitis pigmentosa; a minority have genetic disorders of retinal phosphodiesterases (no safety information available).

• Hearing loss: Sudden decrease or loss of hearing has been reported rarely; hearing changes may be accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness. A direct relationship between therapy and hearing loss has not been determined.

• Hypotension: Decreases in blood pressure may occur due to vasodilator effects; use with caution in patients with left ventricular outflow obstruction (aortic stenosis or hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy); may be more sensitive to hypotensive actions. Concurrent use with alpha-adrenergic antagonist therapy or substantial alcohol consumption may cause symptomatic hypotension; patients should be hemodynamically stable prior to initiating therapy at the lowest possible dose.

• Priapism: Painful erection >6 hours in duration; rare. Educate patient to seek medical assistance for erection lasting >4 hours.

• Pulmonary edema: If pulmonary edema occurs when treating pulmonary arterial hypertension, consider the possibility of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD); continued use is not recommended in patient with PVOD.

• Vision loss: Vision loss may occur rarely and be a sign of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Risk may be increased with history of vision loss. Other risk factors for NAION include low cup-to-disc ratio (“crowded disc”), coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and >50 years of age. Safety and efficacy were not studied in patients with known degenerative retinal disorders (eg, retinitis pigmentosa); use is not recommended. A direct relationship between therapy and vision loss has not been determined.

Disease-related concerns:

• Anatomical penis deformation: Use with caution in patients with anatomical deformation of the penis (angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie's disease).

• Bleeding disorders: Use with caution in patients with bleeding disorders; safety and efficacy have not been established. In vitro studies have suggested a decreased effect on platelet aggregation.

• Cardiovascular disease: Use with caution in patients with hypotension (<90/50 mm Hg); uncontrolled hypertension (>170/110 mm Hg); life-threatening arrhythmias, stroke or MI within the last 6 months; cardiac failure or coronary artery disease causing unstable angina; safety and efficacy have not been studied in these patients. Use caution in patients with left ventricular outflow obstruction (eg, aortic stenosis). There is a degree of cardiac risk associated with sexual activity; therefore, physicians should consider the cardiovascular status of their patients prior to initiating any treatment for erectile dysfunction.

• Conditions predisposing to priapism: Use with caution in patients who have conditions which may predispose them to priapism (sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia). All patients should be instructed to seek immediate medical attention if erection persists >4 hours.

• Hepatic impairment: Viagra®: Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment; use lowest starting dose (25 mg). Revatio®: No dosage adjustment required for mild-to-moderate impairment; has not been studied in patients with severe impairment.

• Peptic ulcer disease: Use with caution in patients with active peptic ulcer disease; safety and efficacy have not been established.

• Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH): Sudden cessation of sildenafil monotherapy could result in an exacerbation of PAH.

• Renal impairment: Viagra®: Use with caution in patients with renal impairment; dose adjustment may be needed; use lowest starting dose (25 mg) in severe dysfunction (Clcr <30 mL/minute). Revatio®: No dosage adjustment required for any degree of impairment.

• Sickle cell anemia: Treatment of pulmonary hypertension with sildenafil in this patient population may lead to more hospitalizations for management of vaso-occlusive crises. The effectiveness of sildenafil has not been established in pulmonary hypertension secondary to sickle cell disease.

Concurrent drug therapy issues:

• Alpha-blockers: Use with caution in patients taking alpha-blockers; may cause symptomatic hypotension. Safety of this combination may be affected by other antihypertensives and intravascular volume depletion. Patients should be hemodynamically stable prior to initiating therapy. Initiate sildenafil at the lowest recommended dose. Alpha-blockers should be initiated at the lowest recommended dose in patients currently receiving sildenafil.

• Bosentan: Efficacy of pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment with concurrent bosentan therapy has not been evaluated; use with caution.

• High potential for interactions: Use with caution in patients taking strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, ritonavir can increase sildenafil levels, initiate sildenafil at decreased dose; see Drug Interactions); consider alternative agents that avoid or lessen the potential for CYP-mediated interactions.

• Nitrates: Concomitant (regularly/intermittently) use with all forms of nitrates is contraindicated. If nitrate administration is medically necessary, it is not known when nitrates can be safely administered following the use of sildenafil (per manufacturer); the ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines supports administration of nitrates only if 24 hours have elapsed.

• Other treatments for erectile dysfunction: Safety and efficacy with other treatments for erectile dysfunction have not been established; use is not recommended.

Special populations:

• Elderly: Use with caution; dose adjustment may be required.

Other warnings/precautions:

• Appropriate use: Potential underlying causes of erectile dysfunction should be evaluated prior to treatment.

Adverse Reactions

Based upon normal doses for either indication or route. (Adverse effects such as flushing, diarrhea, myalgia, and visual disturbances may be increased with doses >100 mg/24 hours.)

>10%:

Central nervous system: Headache (16% to 46%)

Gastrointestinal: Dyspepsia (7% to 17%; dose related)

2% to 10%:

Cardiovascular: Flushing (10%)

Central nervous system: Insomnia (≤7%), pyrexia (6%), dizziness (2%)

Dermatologic: Erythema (6%), rash (2%)

Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea (3% to 9%), gastritis (≤3%)

Genitourinary: Urinary tract infection (3%)

Hepatic: LFTs increased

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Myalgia (≤7%), paresthesia (≤3%)

Ocular: Abnormal vision (color changes, blurred vision, or increased sensitivity to light 3% to 11%; dose related)

Respiratory: Epistaxis (9% to 13%), dyspnea exacerbated (≤7%), nasal congestion (4%), rhinitis (4%), sinusitis (3%)

<2%, postmarketing, and/or case reports (limited to important or life-threatening): Allergic reaction, amnesia (transient global), anemia, angina pectoris, anorgasmia, asthma, AV block, cardiac arrest, cardiomyopathy, cataract, cerebral thrombosis, cerebrovascular hemorrhage, colitis, cystitis, depression, dysphagia, edema, exfoliative dermatitis, eye hemorrhage, gout, hearing decreased, hearing loss, heart failure, hematuria, hemorrhage, hyper-/hypoglycemia, hypernatremia, hyper-/hypotension, hyperuricemia, intracerebral hemorrhage, intraocular pressure increased, leukopenia, migraine, myocardial ischemia, MI, myasthenia, mydriasis, neuralgia, nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), palpitation, postural hypotension, priapism, pulmonary hemorrhage, rectal hemorrhage, retinal vascular disease or bleeding, seizure, shock, sickle cell crisis (vaso-occlusive crisis in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with sickle cell disease), stomatitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, syncope, tachycardia, tendon rupture, TIA, urinary incontinence, ventricular arrhythmia, vertigo, visual field loss, vitreous detachment/traction, vomiting

Metabolism/Transport Effects

Substrate of CYP2C9 (minor), 3A4 (major); Inhibits CYP1A2 (weak), 2C9 (weak), 2C19 (weak), 2D6 (weak), 2E1 (weak), 3A4 (weak)

Drug Interactions

Alpha1-Blockers: Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors may enhance the hypotensive effect of Alpha1-Blockers. Management: Ensure patient is stable on alpha 1 blocker before starting PDE5 inhibitor; initiate PDE5 inhibitor at lowest possible dose. If patient stable on PDE5 inhibitor, initiate alpha 1 blocker at lowest dose. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Amyl Nitrite: Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors may enhance the vasodilatory effect of Amyl Nitrite. Risk X: Avoid combination

Antifungal Agents (Azole Derivatives, Systemic): May decrease the metabolism of Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Antihypertensives: Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors may enhance the antihypertensive effect of Antihypertensives. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Boceprevir: May increase the serum concentration of Sildenafil. Risk X: Avoid combination

Bosentan: May decrease the serum concentration of Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors. Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Bosentan. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Conivaptan: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Management: Upon completion/discontinuation of conivaptan, allow at least 7 days before initiating therapy with drugs that are CYP3A4 substrates. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

CYP3A4 Inducers (Strong): May increase the metabolism of CYP3A4 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Moderate): May decrease the metabolism of CYP3A4 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Strong): May decrease the metabolism of CYP3A4 Substrates. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Dasatinib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Deferasirox: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Etravirine: May decrease the serum concentration of Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors. Management: No empiric dosage adjustments are recommended with concomitant therapy; however, dose of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor may need to be altered based on clinical response. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Herbs (CYP3A4 Inducers): May increase the metabolism of CYP3A4 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: Sildenafil may decrease the metabolism of HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors. Exceptions: Fluvastatin; Pravastatin; Rosuvastatin. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Macrolide Antibiotics: May decrease the metabolism of Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors. Exceptions: Azithromycin; Azithromycin (Systemic); Spiramycin. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Peginterferon Alfa-2b: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP2D6 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of other Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors. Risk X: Avoid combination

Protease Inhibitors: May increase the serum concentration of Sildenafil. Management: Erectile dysfunction: sildenafil max = 25 mg/48 hrs with ritonavir, atazanavir, or darunavir; starting dose = 25 mg with other protease inhibitors (adult doses). Contraindicated if sildenafil being used for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Risk D: Consider therapy modification

Sapropterin: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Tocilizumab: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy

Vasodilators (Organic Nitrates): Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors may enhance the vasodilatory effect of Vasodilators (Organic Nitrates). Risk X: Avoid combination

Ethanol/Nutrition/Herb Interactions

Food: Amount and rate of absorption of sildenafil is reduced when taken with a high-fat meal. Serum concentrations/toxicity may be increased with grapefruit juice; avoid concurrent use.

Herb/Nutraceutical: St John's wort may decrease sildenafil levels.

Storage

Store at controlled room temperature of 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).

Mechanism of Action

Erectile dysfunction: Does not directly cause penile erections, but affects the response to sexual stimulation. The physiologic mechanism of erection of the penis involves release of nitric oxide (NO) in the corpus cavernosum during sexual stimulation. NO then activates the enzyme guanylate cyclase, which results in increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), producing smooth muscle relaxation and inflow of blood to the corpus cavernosum. Sildenafil enhances the effect of NO by inhibiting phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5), which is responsible for degradation of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum; when sexual stimulation causes local release of NO, inhibition of PDE-5 by sildenafil causes increased levels of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum, resulting in smooth muscle relaxation and inflow of blood to the corpus cavernosum; at recommended doses, it has no effect in the absence of sexual stimulation.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): Inhibits phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) in smooth muscle of pulmonary vasculature where PDE-5 is responsible for the degradation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Increased cGMP concentration results in pulmonary vasculature relaxation; vasodilation in the pulmonary bed and the systemic circulation (to a lesser degree) may occur.

Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Onset of action: ~60 minutes

Duration: 2-4 hours

Absorption: Rapid; slower with a high-fat meal

Distribution: Vdss: 105 L

Protein binding, plasma: ~96%

Metabolism: Hepatic via CYP3A4 (major) and CYP2C9 (minor route); forms N-desmethyl metabolite (active)

Bioavailability: 40% (25% to 63%)

Half-life elimination: ~4 hours; the elderly and those with severe renal impairment have reduced clearance of sildenafil and its active N-desmethyl metabolite

Time to peak: 30-120 minutes; delayed by 60 minutes with a high-fat meal

Excretion: Feces (~80%); urine (~13%)

Dosage

I.V.: Adults: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (Revatio®): 10 mg 3 times/day

Oral:

Children ≥1 month: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (unlabeled use): 0.25-2 mg/kg/dose every 4-6 hours. Most reports used 0.5 mg/kg/dose and titrated up to 2 mg/kg/dose

Adults:

Erectile dysfunction (Viagra®): Usual dose: 50 mg once daily 1 hour (range: 30 minutes to 4 hours) before sexual activity; dosing range: 25-100 mg once daily

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (Revatio®): 20 mg 3 times/day, taken 4-6 hours apart

Note: A delay in clinical worsening was observed in a short-term trial in which most patients achieved a target dose of 80 mg 3 times daily (unlabeled dose). The patients had an incremental dosage escalation while on a stable epoprostenol regimen (Simonneau, 2008).

Elderly >65 years: Use with caution

Revatio®: Refer to adult dosing.

Viagra®: Starting dose of 25 mg should be considered.

Dosage considerations for patients stable on alpha-blockers: Viagra®: Initial 25 mg

Dosage adjustment for concomitant use of potent CYP34A inhibitors:

Revatio®:

Erythromycin: No dosage adjustment

Itraconazole, ketoconazole: Not recommended

Viagra®:

Erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole: Starting dose of 25 mg should be considered

Protease inhibitors: Maximum sildenafil dose: 25 mg every 48 hours

Dosage adjustment in renal impairment:

Revatio®: Dose adjustment not necessary

Viagra®: Clcr <30 mL/minute: Starting dose of 25 mg should be considered

Dosage adjustment in hepatic impairment:

Revatio®: Child-Pugh class A and B: Dose adjustment not necessary; not studied in severe impairment (Child-Pugh class C)

Viagra®: Child-Pugh class A and B: Starting dose of 25 mg should be considered; not studied in severe impairment (Child-Pugh class C)

Administration: Oral

Revatio®: Administer tablets without regard to meals at least 4-6 hours apart.

Viagra®: Administer orally 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity.

Administration: I.V.

Revatio®: Administer injection as an I.V. bolus.

Dietary Considerations

Avoid grapefruit juice.

Patient Education

Sildenafil provides no protection against sexually-transmitted diseases, including HIV. You may experience headache, flushing, or abnormal vision (color changes, blurred or increased sensitivity to light). Report immediately acute allergic reactions, chest pain or palpitations, persistent dizziness, signs of urinary tract infection, skin rash, respiratory difficulty, change in vision, change in hearing or ringing in the ears, or genital swelling. If erection lasts longer than 4 hours, contact prescriber immediately; permanent damage to the penis can occur. If taking for pulmonary arterial hypertension, do not discontinue abruptly.

Geriatric Considerations

Since the elderly often have concomitant diseases, many of which may contraindicate the use of sildenafil, a thorough knowledge of diseases and medications used must be assessed. Adjust dose for renal/hepatic function.

Additional Information

Sildenafil is ~10 times more selective for PDE-5 as compared to PDE6. This enzyme is found in the retina and is involved in phototransduction. At higher plasma levels, interference with PDE6 is believed to be the basis for changes in color vision noted in some patients.

Anesthesia and Critical Care Concerns/Other Considerations

Clinical Pearls/Comments:

Cardiovascular effects of sildenafil may be potentially hazardous in patients with:

• active coronary ischemia (not on nitrates)

• heart failure and with low blood pressure and low volume status

• complicated, multidrug antihypertensive regimens

• potential for drug-drug interactions that may prolong sildenafil half-life (eg, drugs that predominantly inhibit CYP3A4, such as certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, certain macrolide antibiotics, imidazole antibiotics)

Use of sildenafil is contraindicated in patients currently taking nitrate preparations. When nitrate administration becomes medically necessary in patients who received sildenafil, the ACC/AHA 2004 guidelines on treatment of ST-segment elevation MI and the ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines on treatment of unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation MI support administration of nitrates only if 24 hours have elapsed after use of sildenafil.

Cardiovascular Considerations

Sildenafil, when used in conjunction with nitrates, may be associated with severe hypotension, myocardial infarction, and possibly death. While there are no clear significant increased cardiovascular events with PDE-5 inhibitors alone, this drug should be absolutely avoided in conjunction with nitrates and may also induce significant and possibly fatal hypotension in patients with heart failure. Hemodynamic effects of PDE-5 inhibitors alone include a very slight drop in blood pressure without significant changes in heart rate. The most recent guidelines on the use of sildenafil in patients with cardiovascular disease are outlined in detail (Cheitlin, 1999). The general clinical recommendations are as follows.

Cardiovascular effects of sildenafil may be potentially hazardous in patients with:

• active coronary ischemia (not on nitrates)

• heart failure and with low blood pressure and low volume status

• complicated, multidrug antihypertensive regimens

• potential for drug-drug interactions that may prolong sildenafil half-life (eg, drugs that predominantly inhibit CYP3A4, such as certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, certain macrolide antibiotics, imidazole antibiotics)

Use of sildenafil is contraindicated in patients currently taking nitrate preparations. When nitrate administration becomes medically necessary in patients who received sildenafil, the ACC/AHA 2004 guidelines on treatment of ST-segment elevation MI and the ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines on treatment of unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation MI support administration of nitrates only if 24 hours have elapsed after use of sildenafil.

Additional guidelines for the treatment of ED in patients with cardiovascular disease have also been published (Jackson, 2006). These guidelines, referred to as the Princeton II Guidelines, support the use of PDE-5 inhibition only in patients with asymptomatic coronary disease and <3 of the following risk factors: Controlled hypertension, mild stable angina, successful coronary revascularization, previous uncomplicated MI (>6-8 weeks), mild valvular disease, and left ventricular dysfunction (with or without NYHA Class I limitations).

When nitrate administration becomes medically necessary, the ACC/AHA 2004 guidelines on treatment of ST-segment elevation MI and the ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines on treatment of unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation MI supports administration of nitrates only if 24 hours have elapsed after use of sildenafil and 48 hours after use of tadalafil. The appropriate delay for the use of nitrates after vardenafil has not been determined.

Sildenafil is selective for PDE-5 and has limited effect on PDE-3, which controls cardiac contractility.

Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment

No significant effects or complications reported

Dental Health: Vasoconstrictor/Local Anesthetic Precautions

No information available to require special precautions

Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

May cause dizziness

Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

Useful for psychotropic-induced sexual dysfunction

Dosage Forms

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.

Injection, solution:

Revatio®: 0.8 mg/mL (12.5 mL)

Tablet, oral:

Revatio®: 20 mg

Viagra®: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg

Pricing: U.S. (www.drugstore.com)

Tablets (Revatio)

20 mg (30): $533.99

Tablets (Viagra)

25 mg (10): $185.99

50 mg (10): $185.99

100 mg (10): $185.99

Extemporaneously Prepared

A 2.5 mg/mL sildenafil citrate oral suspension may be made with tablets and either a 1:1 mixture of methylcellulose 1% and simple syrup NF or a 1:1 mixture of Ora-Sweet® and Ora-Plus®. Crush thirty sildenafil 25 mg tablets (Viagra®) in a mortar and reduce to a fine powder. Add small portions of chosen vehicle and mix to a uniform paste; mix while adding vehicle in incremental proportions to almost 300 mL; transfer to a graduated cylinder, rinse mortar with vehicle, and add quantity of vehicle sufficient to make 300 mL. Store in amber plastic bottles and label "shake well". Stable for 90 days at room temperature or refrigerated.

Nahata MC, Morosco RS, and Brady MT, “Extemporaneous Sildenafil Citrate Oral Suspensions for the Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension in Children,” Am J Health-Syst Pharm, 2006, 63(3):254-7.

References

Abrams D, Schulze-Neick I, and Magee AG, “Sildenafil as a Selective Pulmonary Vasodilator in Childhood Primary Pulmonary Hypertension,” Heart, 2000, 84(2):E4.

Anderson JL, Adams CD, Antman EM, et al, “ACC/AHA 2007 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Executive Summary. A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2002 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Unstable Angina/Non ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) Developed in Collaboration With the American College of Emergency Physicians, The Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons,” J Am Coll Cardiol, 2007, 50(7):1-157.

Antman EM, Anbe DT, Armstrong PW, et al, “ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Management of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Committee to Revise the 1999 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction),” Circulation, 2004, 110(9):e82-292.

Badesch DB, Abman SH, Simonneau G, et al, “Medical Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Updated ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines,” Chest, 2007, 131(6):1917-28.

Baquero H, Soliz A, Neira F, et al. “Oral Sildenafil in Infants With Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn: A Pilot Randomized Blinded Study,” Pediatrics, 2006, 117(4):1077-83.

Badesch DB, Abman SH, Simonneau G, et al, “Medical Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Updated ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines,” Chest, 2007, 131(6):1917-28.

Carroll WD and Dhillon R, “Sildenafil as a Treatment for Pulmonary Hypertension,” Arch Dis Child, 2003, 88(9):827-8.

Chaudhari M, Vogel M, Wright C,et al. “Sildenafil in Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Impaired Alveolarisation and Plexiform Pulmonary Arteriopathy,”Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed, 2005, 90(6):F527-8.

Cheitlin MD, Hutter AM Jr, Brindis RG, et al, “Use of Sildenafil (Viagra®) in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease,” J Am Coll Cardiol, 1999, 33(1):273-82.

Galie N, Ghofrani HA, Torbicki A, et al, “Sildenafil Citrate Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension,” N Engl J Med, 2005, 353(20):2148-57.

Humpl T, Reyes JT, Holtby H, et al, “Beneficial Effect of Oral Sildenafil Therapy in Childhood Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Twelve-Month Clinical Trial of a Single-Drug, Open-Label, Pilot Study,” Circulation, 2005, 111(24):3274-80.

Jackson G and Chambers J, “Sildenafil for Primary Pulmonary Hypertension: Short and Long-Term Symptomatic Benefit,” Int J Clin Pract, 2002 56(5):397-8.

Jackson G, Rosen RC, Kloner RA, et al, “The Second Princeton Consensus on Sexual Dysfunction and Cardiac Risk: New Guidelines for Sexual Medicine,” J Sex Med, 2006, 3(1):28-36.

Juliana AE and Abbad FC. “Severe Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn in a Setting Where Limited Resources Exclude the Use of Inhaled Nitric Oxide: Successful Treatment With Sildenafil,”Eur J Pediatr, 2005, 164(10):626-9.

Karatza AA, Bush A, and Magee AG, “Safety and Efficacy of Sildenafil Therapy in Children With Pulmonary Hypertension,” Int J Cardiol, 2005, 100(2):267-73.

Karatza AA, Narang I, Rosenthal M, et al, “Treatment of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension With Oral Sildenafil,” Respiration, 2004, 71(2):192-4.

Keogh AM, Jabbour A, Hayward CS, et al, “Clinical Deterioration After Sildenafil Cessation In Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension,” Vasc Health Risk Manag, 2008, 4(5):1111-3.

Knoderer CA, Ebenroth ES, Brown JW. “Chronic Outpatient Sildenafil Therapy for Pulmonary Hypertension in a Child After Cardiac Surgery,” Pediatr Cardiol, 2005, 26(6):859-61.

McLaughlin VV, Archer SL, Badesch DB, et al, “ACCF/AHA 2009 Expert Consensus Document on Pulmonary Hypertension. A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Task Force on Expert Consensus Documents and the American Heart Association Developed in Collaboration With the American College of Chest Physicians; American Thoracic Society, Inc.; and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association,” J Am Coll Cardiol, 2009, 53(17):1573-619.

McVary KT, “Clinical Practice. Erectile Dysfunction,” N Engl J Med, 2007, 357(24):2472-81.

Phillips BG, Kato M, Pesek CA, et al, “Sympathetic Activation by Sildenafil,” Circulation, 2000, 102(25):3068-73.

Prasad S, Wilkinson J, and Gatzoulis MA, “Sildenafil in Primary Pulmonary Hypertension,” N Engl J Med, 2000, 343(18):1342.

Simonneau G, Rubin LJ, Galiè N, et al, “Addition of Sildenafil to Long-Term Intravenous Epoprostenol Therapy in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Randomized Trial,” Ann Intern Med, 2008, 149(8):521-30.

International Brand Names

  • Adonix (PH)
  • Andros (PH)
  • Aphrodil (AE, BH, CY, EG, IQ, IR, JO, KW, LB, LY, OM, QA, SA, SY, YE)
  • Edegra (IN)
  • Ejertol (CO)
  • Elonza (TH)
  • Erectol (AR)
  • Erefil (PH)
  • Erilin (CO)
  • Eroton (BG)
  • Eroxim (CO)
  • Maxigra (PL)
  • Neo-Up (PH)
  • Patrex (SE)
  • Penegra (BF, BJ, CI, ET, GH, GM, GN, IN, KE, LR, MA, ML, MR, MU, MW, NE, NG, SC, SD, SL, SN, TN, TZ, UG, ZA, ZM, ZW)
  • Revatio (AT, AU, BE, CH, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, IE, IL, IT, KP, NL, NO, NZ, PT, RU, TH, TR, TW)
  • Rigix (PY)
  • Ripol (CN)
  • Sildefil (AR)
  • Supra (AE, BH, CY, EG, IQ, IR, JO, KW, LB, LY, OM, QA, SA, SY, YE)
  • Viagra (AE, AT, AU, BE, BF, BH, BJ, BR, CH, CI, CL, CN, CO, CR, CY, CZ, DE, DK, DO, EC, EG, ES, ET, FI, FR, GB, GH, GM, GN, GR, GT, HK, HN, HU, ID, IE, IQ, IR, IT, JO, JP, KE, KP, KW, LB, LR, LY, MA, ML, MR, MU, MW, MX, MY, NE, NG, NI, NL, NO, OM, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, QA, RU, SA, SC, SD, SG, SL, SN, SV, SY, TH, TN, TR, TW, TZ, UG, UY, VE, YE, ZA, ZM, ZW)
  • Vimax (ID)
  • Zilden (PH)
  • Zwagra (AE, BH, CY, EG, IQ, IR, JO, KW, LB, LY, OM, QA, SA, SY, YE)

Lexi-Comp.com

Last full review/revision May 2011

Content last modified May 2011

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