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ALERT: Revatio is another brand name for sildenafil
Christine Koczmara1, Sylvia Hyland, Julie Greenall
1Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada. ckoczmara@ismp-canada.org
Revatio, a brand name for sildenafil, can interact dangerously with nitroglycerin. Healthcare providers must recognize Revatio is sildenafil to prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Sildenafil is widely recognized as Viagra for erectile dysfunction.
- Nitroglycerin is contraindicated with sildenafil due to severe hypotension risk.
- Primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension are treated with Revatio, a sildenafil brand.
Observation:
- A medication incident involving Revatio (sildenafil) was reported.
- Healthcare practitioners may be unaware that Revatio is sildenafil.
- This highlights a potential knowledge gap in medication branding.
Findings:
- Revatio is a brand name for sildenafil.
- The contraindication of nitroglycerin applies to both Viagra and Revatio.
- Lack of awareness regarding Revatio's active ingredient can lead to medication errors.
Implications:
- Increased awareness is needed regarding sildenafil's multiple brand names.
- Enhanced education for healthcare providers on drug branding is crucial.
- Preventing adverse drug events requires clear communication about medication identities.
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