FDA Approves Revatio Injection

Pfizer have no plans to develop Viagra as an injectable drug.

The manufacturer of the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra also produces another identical medication packaged as Revatio which is designed to be used for men and women who suffer from pulmonary arterial hypertension. The active ingredient sildenafil opens arteries which allows men to get erections and people with pulmonary arterial hypertension to maintain good blood flow between the heart and lungs.

Pfizer has just received full approval from the United States Food & Drug Administration to allow Revatio to be sold and promoted as an injection so that it can be administered intravenously. This is important because it means that men and women suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension who are unable to take Revatio orally will be able to get it quickly into the bloodstream.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension only affects around 100,000 men and women all around the world but it is incurable and often leads to heart failure and early death. The use of Revatio reduces high blood pressure which forms in the pulmonary arteries and thus greatly improves quality of life and to a certain extent allows sufferers to control the illness. Revatio does not cure the underlying problem of pulmonary arterial hypertension but merely manages to negate its full detrimental effects.

The market for Revatio is tiny compared to the market for Viagra but nevertheless Pfizer said that they are committed to developing treatments for men and women with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Dr. Cara Cassino who is the vice president of the Pfizer division of pulmonary vascular disease for clinical development and medical affairs called this new approval of Revatio Injection as an “important milestone”.

The American College of Chest Physicians as well as UK health authorities have put out recommendations for Revatio to be used to treat adult pulmonary arterial hypertension.  Pfizer have no plans to develop Viagra as an injectable drug.