Stendra Information and Uses

Stendra

Stendra Overview

Stendra (generic: avanafil) is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction in adult men. Stendra belongs to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitors, which increase blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation.

This medication comes in the form of a fast-acting tablet to be taken 30 minutes before sexual activity, with or without food. Do not take more than one tablet a day.

Common side effects of Stendra include headache, flushing, and stuffy nose.

Uses of Stendra

Stendra is a prescription medicine used to treat adult men with erectile dysfunction (ED).

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Stendra

The most common side effects of Stendra are:

headache
flushing
stuffy or runny nose
sore throat
back pain

Stendra may uncommonly cause:

an erection that will not go away (priapism). If you have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, get medical help right away.
sudden vision loss in 1 or both eyes. Sudden vision loss in 1 or both eyes can be a sign of a serious eye problem called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Stop taking Stendra and call your healthcare provider right away if you have sudden vision loss in 1 or both eyes.
sudden hearing decrease or hearing loss. Some people may also have ringing in their ears (tinnitus) or dizziness.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Stendra. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Stendra Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Stendra may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way Stendra works causing side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following:

medicines called nitrates
medicines called HIV protease inhibitors, such as ritonavir (Norvir), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Fortavase or Invirase) or atazanir (Reyataz)
some types of oral antifungal medicines, such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), and itraconozale (Sporonox)
some types of antibiotics, such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), telithromycin (Ketek), or erythromycin
medicines called alpha blockers. These include Hytrin (terazosin), Flomax (tamsulosin HCl), Cardura (doxazosin), Minipress (prazosin HCl), Uroxatral (alfuzosin HCl), Jalyn (dutasteride and tamsulosin HCl), or Rapaflo (silodosin). Alpha-blockers are sometimes prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure. In some patients, the use of Stendra with alpha-blockers can lead to a drop in blood pressure or to fainting.
other medicines that treat high blood pressure
other medicines or treatments for ED

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines, if you are not sure. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Stendra Precautions

Stendra can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly to an unsafe level if it is taken with certain other medicines. Do not take Stendra if you take any medicines called “nitrates.” Nitrates are used to treat chest pain (angina). A sudden drop in blood pressure can cause you to feel dizzy, faint, or have a heart attack or stroke.

Tell all your healthcare providers that you take Stendra. If you need emergency medical care for a heart problem, it will be important for your healthcare provider to know when you last took Stendra. Stop sexual activity and get medical help right away if you get symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sex. Sexual activity can put an extra strain on your heart, especially if your heart is already weak from a heart attack or heart disease.

Do not take Stendra if you:

take medicines called “nitrates”
use street drugs called “poppers” such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate
are allergic to avanafil or any of the ingredients in Stendra.

Stendra Food Interactions

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. Do not drink too much alcohol when taking Stendra (for example, 3 glasses of wine, or 3 shots of whiskey). Drinking too much alcohol when taking Stendra can increase your chances of getting a headache or getting dizzy, increasing your heart rate, or lowering your blood pressure.

Inform MD

Before you take Stendra, tell your healthcare provider if you:

have or have had heart problems such as a heart attack, irregular heartbeat, angina, or heart failure
have had heart surgery within the last 6 months
have had a stroke
have low blood pressure, or high blood pressure that is not controlled
have a deformed penis shape
have had an erection that lasted for more than 4 hours
have problems with your blood cells such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia
have retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic (runs in families) eye disease
have ever had severe vision loss, including an eye problem called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
have bleeding problems
have or have had stomach ulcers
have liver problems
have kidney problems or are having kidney dialysis
have any other medical conditions

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Stendra and Pregnancy

Stendra is not for use in women. There are no studies of Stendra in pregnant women. It is not known if Stendra will harm your unborn baby.

Stendra and Lactation

Stendra is not for use in women. There are no studies of Stendra in breastfeeding women.

Stendra Usage

Take Stendra exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Stendra to take and when to take it.
Take Stendra about 30 minutes before sexual activity.
Do not take Stendra more than 1 time a day.
Your healthcare provider may change your dose if needed.
You should take the lowest dose of Stendra that works for you. You and your healthcare provider should decide about the lowest dose of Stendra that works for you.
Stendra may be taken with or without food.
Do not drink too much alcohol when taking Stendra (for example, 3 glasses of wine, or 3 shots of whiskey). Drinking too much alcohol when taking Stendra can increase your chances of getting a headache or getting dizzy, increasing your heart rate, or lowering your blood pressure.