Avanafil Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Avanafil Tablet is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in adult men. It belongs to a drug class called PDE5 inhibitors and works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. It is taken as needed before sexual activity, and it is available as a tablet under the brand name Stendra.

What is Avanafil Tablet

Avanafil is a prescription tablet used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men. It belongs to a group of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors, which help improve blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation.

Avanafil Tablet uses

• Treatment of erectile dysfunction (impotence) in adult men

Benefits of Avanafil Tablet

• Helps a man get and keep an erection when combined with sexual stimulation
• Increases blood flow to the penis during sexual activity

How Avanafil Tablet works

Avanafil blocks an enzyme called PDE5 that normally breaks down a substance in the penis called cGMP. During sexual stimulation, blocking this enzyme lets more cGMP build up, which relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow into the penis, helping produce and maintain an erection. It does not work without sexual stimulation.

Avanafil Tablet dosage

Take by mouth with or without food, as needed, before sexual activity. Depending on your dose, take it about 15 minutes or 30 minutes before sexual activity — follow your doctor's instructions on timing. Do not take more than once in 24 hours. Take it exactly as your doctor directs; do not take more or less than prescribed, or more often than prescribed. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while using this medicine without talking to your doctor first. This medicine is only for use in men. Tell your doctor if the medicine is not working well or if you have side effects.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Avanafil Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Flushing
• Back pain
• Nasal congestion
• Sore throat
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Upper respiratory infection symptoms

Serious

• Erection lasting longer than 4 hours
• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden hearing loss, sometimes with ringing in the ears or dizziness
• Ringing in the ears
• Rash, itching, or swollen eyelids
• Chest pain or tightness
• Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
• Low blood pressure symptoms such as fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness when standing up

Warnings and precautions

• Avanafil is only meant for use in men. Women should not take it, especially if pregnant or planning pregnancy. If a pregnant woman takes it by accident, she should call her doctor. 
• Avanafil is not meant for use in women, including women who are breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before taking this medicine. It should not be used in people with severe kidney impairment. 
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease before taking this medicine. It should not be used in people with severe liver impairment.
• Talk to your doctor about safe alcohol use while taking this medicine. Drinking a large amount of alcohol can increase the chance of side effects like dizziness, headache, fast heartbeat, and low blood pressure.
• This medicine may cause dizziness and could affect your ability to safely drive or operate machinery. Be careful until you know how it affects you.
• Do not take avanafil if you are using riociguat or any nitrate medicines, since this combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
• Do not use street drugs containing nitrates, such as "poppers," while taking avanafil.
• Tell your doctor about your full medical history, including heart problems, stroke, blood pressure issues, blood cell disorders, eye disease, ulcers, bleeding problems, or liver or kidney disease, before starting this medicine.
• Sexual activity can put strain on your heart. If you have chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sexual activity, stop and call your doctor right away.
• Always tell every healthcare provider that you take avanafil, especially if you need emergency treatment for a heart problem, since they need to know when you last took it.

Storage

• Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children
• Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom)
• Keep from freezing
• Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them
• Do not flush this medication down the toilet
• Use a medicine take-back program; talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community
• Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant; always lock safety caps

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have an erection lasting longer than 4 hours.
• Call your doctor immediately if you have a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, and stop taking avanafil or similar medicines until you talk to your doctor.
• Call your doctor immediately if you have a sudden loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears or dizziness, and stop taking avanafil until you talk to your doctor.
• Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sexual activity, and avoid sexual activity until your doctor says it is safe.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice rash, itching, or swollen eyelids.

Alternatives

• Stendra
• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Vardenafil (Levitra)