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Revatio (sildenafil): Drug Safety Communication - FDA Clarifies Warning About Pediatric Use for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
AUDIENCE: Cardiology, Pediatrics, Pharmacy
ISSUE: FDA is clarifying its previous recommendation related to prescribing Revatio (sildenafil) for children with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Revatio is FDA-approved only to treat PAH in adults, not in children; however, health care professionals must consider whether the benefits of treatment with the drug are likely to outweigh its potential risks for each patient.
FDA revised the Revatio drug label in August 2012, adding a warning stating that “use of Revatio, particularly chronic use, is not recommended in children.” This recommendation was based on an observation of increasing mortality with increasing Revatio doses in a long-term clinical trial in pediatric patients with PAH. FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication at that time. There may be situations in which the benefit-risk profile of Revatio may be acceptable in individual children, for example, when other treatment options are limited and Revatio can be used with close monitoring.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the August 2012 recommendation was to raise awareness of clinical trial results showing a higher risk of mortality in pediatric patients taking a high dose of Revatio when compared to pediatric patients taking a low dose. This recommendation was not intended to suggest that Revatio should never be used in children; however, some health care professionals have interpreted this information as a contraindication, and have refused to prescribe or administer the drug.
RECOMMENDATION: The evidence behind FDAs initial recommendation has not changed; this communication is clarifying the strength of the warning communicated in the Revatio drug label.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
- Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
- Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including links to the Drug Safety Communication and prescribing information, at:
You are encouraged to report all serious adverse events and product quality problems to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
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