6 mins read

Uses

What is avanafil used for?

Avanafil is commonly used for erectile dysfunction, a condition where you have trouble getting or keeping an erection.

Avanafil may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does avanafil work (mechanism of action)?

Avanafil works by blocking an enzyme in the body called PDE5, which helps relax certain blood vessels. This increases blood flow to the penis when aroused, making it easier to get and keep an erection.

How is avanafil supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Stendra

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg oral tablets

How should I store avanafil?

Avanafil should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place that is protected from light.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of avanafil?

The most common side effects of avanafil are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Flushing
  • Stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
  • Back pain

There may be other side effects of avanafil that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of avanafil?

While less common, the most serious side effects of avanafil are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Avanafil may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking avanafil and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Painful, Prolonged Erection (Priapism). Avanafil may cause an unwanted erection that is persistent, painful, and that may occur without sexual arousal. Permanent damage to the penis may occur if priapism is not treated quickly. Stop taking avanafil and get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of priapism.

  • Erection lasting for more than four hours
  • Erection that is unrelated to sexual stimulation
  • Painful or tender penis

Vision Changes. Avanafil can cause mild, temporary vision changes such as seeing a blue tint, abnormal colors, blurry vision, or sensitivity to light. Though rare, some people have reported permanent vision loss. Stop taking avanafil and get help right away if you have sudden vision loss in one or both eyes.

Hearing Loss. Sudden hearing loss has been reported after taking avanafil. This may occur along with dizziness and ringing in the ears. Stop taking avanafil and get help right away if you have sudden hearing loss or suddenly have trouble hearing as well as usual.

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Avanafil may cause a mild and temporary drop in blood pressure. You may be at a higher risk if you have certain health conditions or take blood pressure medicines. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.

  • Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
  • Feeling weak or tired
  • Fainting
  • Confusion

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not take avanafil?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take avanafil.

  • Avanafil
  • Stendra
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific avanafil products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Avanafil should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking avanafil, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about avanafil before taking it?

Do not take avanafil unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share avanafil with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep avanafil out of the reach of children.

Sexual activity can put extra strain on your heart, which may be unsafe for people with certain health problems, such as a recent heart attack. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if your heart is strong enough for sex. If you feel chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sex, stop and contact your healthcare provider right away.

Avanafil does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Avanafil belongs to a group of medicines, known as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, which are used to treat erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension. You should not take more than one PDE-5 inhibitor medicine. Medicines in this group include avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio, and others), tadalafil (Cialis and others), and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn).

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking avanafil?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if avanafil is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems, such as heart rhythm problems, chest pain, or heart failure
  • Heart attack, stroke, or heart surgery within the past six months
  • Low blood pressure
  • High blood pressure that is still too high despite taking medicines for it
  • Peyronie's disease, or a penis with an abnormal curve or shape 
  • An erection lasting longer than four hours
  • A blood disorder, such as sickle cell anemia
  • An inherited eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa
  • Vision loss, or a problem with the nerve between your eyes and brain (optic nerve)
  • Health conditions or factors that raise the risk of optic nerve problems, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, being older than 50, or having a “crowded disc,” which is something an eye doctor may see during an eye exam
  • Hearing problems
  • Bleeding problems
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Liver problems
  • Severe kidney problems or dialysis

Pregnancy. People who can become pregnant are not usually prescribed avanafil. It is not known if or how avanafil could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. People who can breastfeed are not usually prescribed avanafil. It is not known if avanafil passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does avanafil interact with foods or drinks?

It may take avanafil longer to start working if you take it with a high-fat meal.

It is best to limit or avoid grapefruit while taking avanafil. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice may raise avanafil levels in your body, which can increase the risk of side effects.

Limit or avoid alcohol while taking avanafil. The risk of low blood pressure, dizziness, and headache may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking avanafil. 

Does avanafil interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking avanafil.

  • A nitrate, such as nitroglycerin (Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat, and others) or isosorbide, which is a medicine used for chest pain caused by a type of heart disease, or a street drug, such as amyl nitrite (“poppers”)
  • A guanylate cyclase stimulator, such as riociguat (Adempas) or vericiguat (Verquvo), which is a medicine used for certain lung or heart conditions
  • An alpha-blocker, such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), dutasteride, prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), tamsulosin (Flomax), or terazosin (Hytrin), which is a medicine that may be used for high blood pressure and/or difficulty peeing due to an enlarged prostate
  • A blood pressure medicine, such as amlodipine (Norvasc), enalapril (Vasotec), diltiazem Cardizem CD and others), or verapamil (Verelan)
  • A protease inhibitor, such as ritonavir (Norvir), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
  • A medicine used for fungal infections, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), or fluconazole (Diflucan)
  • Erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections 
  • Any other treatment used for erectile dysfunction

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of avanafil, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with avanafil. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally take too much avanafil?

If you or someone else has taken too much avanafil, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of avanafil?

Avanafil is taken only when needed. Take it as your healthcare provider recommends, which is usually 15 or 30 minutes before planned sexual activity. Do not take double or extra doses.