What is Revatio and should you try it for ED?

Among erectile dysfunction (ED) medications now stands a newer, lesser-known medication called Revatio. You may have heard of it recently, but don’t know much about it. 

Revatio, like Viagra, contains sildenafil, a chemical that increases blood flow throughout the body.  ED medications like Revatio and Viagra use sildenafil to target lack of blood flow specifically to the penis before and during intercourse.

Because of sildenafil’s ability to do this, it has remained the staple component in most ED medications since the FDA approved Viagra back in 1998.  

While Viagra and Cialis have dominated the commercial market, Revatio may prove another viable option to help treat your ED.  

How is it different than Viagra?

The main similarity between Revatio and Viagra is the fact that sildenafil is the active ingredient.  They are also both manufactured by Pfizer.

Interestingly, there is no mention of the fact that it can be used as an impotence medication on the official site, despite the fact that it contains the same chemical as Viagra.

Differences range from uses to shape and color.  Everyone is familiar with the iconic blue, diamond shaped Viagra pill. On the contrary, Revatio is hardly distinguishable from many prescription drugs with its white, round appearance. 

Viagra is available in different strengths. For example, men with varying degrees of ED can choose a 25, 50, or 100mg option. Revatio’s standard dosage is a 20mg pill (unless your doctor directs a smaller, 10mg dosage).

This is because Revatio is also widely used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, a condition of the heart and lungs resulting in increased blood pressure in the lungs; this requires a daily regimen of treatment.

As a treatment for ED, however, you would take it only as recommended by your doctor. This lesser dosage may be beneficial for those of you who have used other means (such as pelvic floor exercises or increased cardiovascular exercise regimens) to improve your ED, but need a little help getting back to your desired sexual stimulation and erectile function. 

Another big difference is the cost.  Because it is basically a generic version, and because you can take a lower dose to achieve the same effect, you end up saving a lot of money each month.  So for that reason alone it's worth a try if your doctor says it's OK.

Final Thoughts on Revatio

It is important to remember that consulting a doctor about your impotence is the best way to understand the problem, how to fix it, and to confirm that your ED is not due to a more serious condition. 

Revatio is a prescription drug, so you'll need to talk to your doctor about the medication to see if it is the right solution for you. 

If you are interested in trying it, and your doctor OK's it,  you can find the generic version on special sale here, which is essentially the same thing as Revatio, but in a higher dosage.  The choices are 50mg or 100mg, rather than the typical 20mg.

While there are many successful ED treatments on the market, Revatio may prove to be your best bet,  with a lesser dosage and  smaller price tag; combined with a regular cardiovascular exercise regimen and a healthy diet, it could very well push you to your goal of regaining erectile function. 

Again, make sure you speak with your doctor first before trying any new medication, generic or otherwise.