Stendra (avanafil) is an erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment. While the medication comes in tablet form, it works a bit quicker and lasts longer than most similar tablet-based ED treatments.

Also like most of its competitors, Stendra is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, more commonly known as a PDE5 inhibitor. Patients should be aware that all PDE5 inhibitors will lower blood pressure to some degree; this can be a concern for individuals already prone to low blood pressure. Patients taking nitrates, widely used to treat angina and also used recreationally, should avoid this and all PDE5 inhibitors.

Stendra should not be used in young men who have not yet reached sexual maturity.

Who Benefits from Stendra

ED describes not just the inability to form an erection; it also includes partial erections that aren't firm enough for intercourse or erections that fade away before completing intercourse. Stendra can help with all of these.

ED has many causes; medications, medical conditions, recreational drugs, prolonged stress, inhibitions, and many other factors can all contribute. Stendra helps the majority of ED sufferers regardless of the cause in most cases; the main exception is when ED is a result of physical injury.

Many men believe that ED is a natural function of aging. While it is true that testosterone levels---which influence sexual desire and, to some degree, the ability to form an erection---do decline with age, they should not decline to such an extent that sexual activity is no longer possible. While Stendra may help in low testosterone scenarios, men may also want to supplement testosterone itself.

Treatment Overview

Stendra comes in tablets of 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg doses. Tablets can be taken with or without food as desired. Unlike many similar treatments, Stendra can be taken with alcohol, though it is recommended that patients do not exceed 3 glasses of wine or 3 shots of hard liquor.

Dosing guidelines are:

• Start with 100 mg doses.
• If insufficient, dosage may be increased to 200 mg.
• Some men may be reduced to, or started on, 50 mg doses.

100 mg works fine for most men, though some will need 200 mg. Men who have certain preexisting conditions may be started on 50 mg; likewise those who experience side effects at 100 mg will likely be reduced to 50 mg. Ideally the lowest effective dose will be used.

100 and 200 mg doses will begin working within 15 minutes of administration. 50 mg tablets may take 30 minutes to produce effective results. Regardless of the dose taken, stimulation is needed to form an erection; the medication does not increase desire on its own. Effects last around 6 hours, meaning during those 6 hours an erection will be able to form.

Also regardless of dosage, more than one Stendra tablet should not be taken in 24 hours. A doctor may advise less frequent dosing for some individuals.

Potential Complications

The more common side effects associated with Stendra are:

• Headache
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Sore throat
• Flushing
• Back pain

The above are not cause for concern unless severe or persistant.

As mentioned above, Stendra does lower blood pressure. Men should be aware of the symptoms of low blood pressure, and alert for them after taking a tablet.

Other medications can interact with Stendra. Of greatest concern are nitrates, used to treat angina as well as a few other medications. Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs, such as "poppers". Stendra and nitrates should not be taken together. Speak with a doctor before using Stendra if also taking:

• Protease inhibitors
• Alpha-blockers
• High blood pressure treatments
• Antibiotics
• Antifungal medications
• Guanylate cyclase stimulators

Men with any history of cardiovascular issues should also discuss risks with a doctor before use.

Stendra should not be used in men who have penile implants or deformities.