avanafil (Stendra)

Brand Names: Stendra

Generic Name: avanafil

What is avanafil (Stendra)?

Avanafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Avanafil should not be taken by a woman or a child.

Avanafil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of avanafil (Stendra)?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using avanafil and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.

During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right away. You could be having a serious side effect of avanafil.

Stop using avanafil and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • vision changes, sudden vision loss;
  • ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;
  • pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;
  • shortness of breath, swelling in your hands or feet;
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or
  • penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Common side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about avanafil (Stendra)?

Taking avanafil with certain other medicines can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure. Do not take avanafil if you also take riociguat (Adempas) or a nitrate drug such as nitroglycerin.

Stop using avanafil and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.

Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking avanafil (Stendra)?

You should not take avanafil if you are allergic to it, or:

  • if you take medicine to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, such as riociguat (Adempas).

Do not take avanafil if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, and isosorbide mononitrate. Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking avanafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Avanafil can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking sildenafil (Viagra) or other drugs similar to avanafil. Most of these people also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoked or were over 50 years old. It is not clear whether avanafil is the actual cause of vision loss.

Avanafil is for use only in men. It is not known whether this medicine would be harmful if used by a woman during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.

How should I take avanafil (Stendra)?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Avanafil can be taken with or without food.

Avanafil is usually taken only when needed, about 15 to 30 minutes before sexual activity. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Avanafil can help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill.

Do not take avanafil more than once a day. Allow 24 hours to pass between doses.

Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

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What happens if I miss a dose (Stendra)?

Since avanafil is used as needed, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.

What happens if I overdose (Stendra)?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking avanafil (Stendra)?

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of avanafil. Avoid drinking more than 3 alcoholic beverages while you are taking avanafil.

Grapefruit may interact with avanafil and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

This medication will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.

What other drugs will affect avanafil (Stendra)?

Do not take avanafil with similar medicines such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn). These medicines also have other brand names (Adcirca, Revatio) that are used to treat a condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect avanafil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information (Stendra)?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about avanafil.


Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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Reviewed on 10/12/2022

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