Sildenafil (Revatio) listed for pulmonary hypertensionSildenafil (Revatio) listed for pulmonary hypertension

Published 2007-04-01 00:00:00

Sildenafil (Revatio) was PBS listed on 1 March 2007 as a Section 100 hospital Authority-required item for the treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue disease in patients categorised as WHO functional class III. It has essentially the same restrictions as other drugs for this condition.1

Pulmonary hypertension is much less common than systemic hypertension — the prevalence of severe pulmonary hypertension is 30-50 cases per million people.2

The recommended dose of sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension is 20 mg three times a day.3 In comparison, the sildenafil dose for erectile dysfunction is 25-100 mg as needed (no more than once daily).4

Revatio 20 mg tablets are white and round in shape, compared with Viagra 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg tablets, which are blue and diamond shaped.3,4

References

  1. Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. November 2006 positive recommendations. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, 2006. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/pbacrec-nov06-positive (accessed 23 January 2007).
  2. Cardiovascular Writing Group. Therapeutic guidelines: Cardiovascular. Version 4. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd, 2003.
  3. Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd. Revatio product information. 7 August 2006.
  4. Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd. Viagra product information. 17 October 2006.
RSS FeedRSS feed

Date published: 2007-04-01 00:00:00

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.

References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.