What is Avanafil?
Avanafil is a PDE5 inhibitor approved for erectile dysfunction by the FDA on April 27, 2012 and by EMA on June 21, 2013. Avanafil is sold under the brand names Stendra and Spedra. It was invented at Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, formerly known as Tanabe Seiyaku Co., and licensed to Vivus Inc., which partnered with Menarini Group to commercialise Spedra in over forty European countries, Australia, and New Zealand. Metuchen Pharmaceuticals obtained exclusive rights within the United States.
Avanafil acts by inhibiting a specific phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme found in various body tissues, primarily in the corpus cavernosum penis. Other similar drugs are sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil. The advantage of avanafil is that it has very fast onset of action compared with other PDE5 inhibitors. It is absorbed quickly, reaching a maximum serum concentration in about thirty to forty-five minutes. About two-thirds of the participants were able to engage in sexual activity within fifteen minutes.
Avanafil (Stendra) use
Avanafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
Legal status
The regulation of therapeutic goods, defined as drugs and therapeutic devices, varies by jurisdiction. In some countries, such as the United States, they are regulated at the national level by a single agency. In other jurisdictions they are regulated at the state level, or at both state and national levels by various bodies, as in Australia.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Avanafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED: impotence; inability to get or keep an erection in men). Avanafil is in a class of medications called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. This increased blood flow can cause an erection. Avanafil does not cure erectile dysfunction or increase sexual desire. Avanafil does not prevent pregnancy or the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
How should this medicine be used?
Avanafil comes as a tablet to take by mouth. For men taking the 100-mg or 200-mg doses, avanafil is usually taken with or without food as needed, about 15 minutes before sexual activity. For men taking the 50-mg dose, avanafil is usually taken with or without food as needed, about 30 minutes before sexual activity. Do not take avanafil more often than once in 24 hours. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take avanafil exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will probably start you on an average dose of avanafil and may increase or decrease your dose depending on how you respond to the medication. Tell your doctor if avanafil is not working well or if you experience side effects.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Before taking Avanafil (Stendra)
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to avanafil, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in avanafil tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the patient information for a list of the ingredients.
- do not take avanafil if you are taking or have recently taken riociguat (Adempas) or nitrates such as isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, in BiDil), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket), and nitroglycerin (Minitran, Nitro-Dur, Nitromist, Nitrostat, others). Nitrates come as tablets, sublingual (under the tongue) tablets, sprays, patches, pastes, and ointments. Ask your doctor if you are not sure if any of your medications contain nitrates.
- do not take street drugs containing nitrates such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate (‘poppers’) while taking avanafil.
- Some medications should not be taken with avanafil. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with avanafil. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting avanafil with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking avanafil, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist..
- The following nonprescription products may interact with avanafil: omeprazole. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking avanafil. Do not start any of these medications while taking avanafil without discussing with your healthcare provider.
- tell your doctor if you have ever been advised by a doctor to avoid sexual activity for medical reasons, if you have had heart surgery within the past 6 months and if you have ever had an erection that lasted longer than 4 hours.
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