Stendra

Stendra^® (avanafil) is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor approved to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It is taken as needed and starts working in about 15 minutes, which is faster than other common oral ED treatments. Stendra lasts up to six hours. 

Its action in the body is also more selective than other common oral ED treatments, which can make Stendra less likely to cause side effects. Side effects are still possible, including heading, flushing, and congestion. Stendra should not be combined with nitrates. There is a risk of experiencing low blood pressure when Stendra is used with nitrates, alpha-blockers, other blood pressure medications, or alcohol.

Stendra (avanafil) is indicated to treat:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor

Most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 2%) include:

• Headache

• Flushing

• Nasal congestion

• Inflammation of the nasal passages and back of the throat

• Back pain

The cost of Stendra^® may vary depending on factors such as your insurance plan, the dosage, the quantity, and where you buy it.

Without insurance, the average retail price of Stendra is about $700 for 10 tablets or about $1,800 for 30 tablets (about $60 per tablet), although coupons or discount cards may be available to bring down the price as low as about $140 for 10 tablets. There is currently no generic form of Stendra, which is why the cost is higher than many other medications. Some insurance companies may not cover the cost of Stendra if they don’t consider it medically necessary.

You can get a prescription for Stendra after being evaluated by your primary care provider or a specialist who can determine if the medicine is right for you based on factors like your symptoms and medical history.

• Administration of Stendra to patients using any form of organic nitrate is contraindicated

• Hypersensitivity to any component of the Stendra tablet

• Administration with guanylate cyclase (GC) stimulators such as riociguat and vericiguat

• Drug interactions: Nitrates, alpha-blockers, antihypertensives, alcohol, CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, ritonavir, erythromycin)

• Patients should not use Stendra if sexual activity is inadvisable due to cardiovascular status or any other reason (

• Use of Stendra with alpha-blockers, other antihypertensives, or substantial amounts of alcohol (greater than 3 units) may lead to low blood pressure

• Patients should seek emergency treatment if an erection lasts greater than 4 hours

• Patients should stop Stendra and seek medical care if a sudden loss of vision occurs in one or both eyes, which could be a sign of non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Stendra should be used with caution, and only when the anticipated benefits outweigh the risks, in patients with a history of NAION. Patients with a “crowded” optic disc may also be at an increased risk of NAION

• Patients should stop taking Stendra and seek prompt medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing

There are other medications prescribed to treat ED. Some of these drugs may be better suited to you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Stendra, talk with your provider to learn more about other medications that may work well for you.

Other oral medications that can treat ED include:

• Cialis^® (tadalafil)

• Vardenafil (previously sold under the brand names Levitra^® and Staxyn^®)

• Viagra^® (sildenafil)

• Chewable ED meds available through Hims that contain one or more of the active ingredients in Cialis and Viagra

Penile injection medications for ED include:

• Caverject^® or Edex^® (alprostadil)

• Papaverine

• Phentolamine

• Combination medications such as Bimix, Trimix, and Quadmix

As an alternative or addition to ED medications, your healthcare provider may suggest therapy for mental health issues that may be contributing to ED and/or lifestyle changes to support sexual health, like following a healthy diet, exercising, and cutting back on alcohol.

Other treatments for ED include a topical gel, a penis pump with or without a constriction ring, penile implant surgery, and testosterone therapy (if low testosterone is a contributor).

*This information is from the label for brand name Stendra^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Avanafil, the active ingredient in Stendra, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient avanafil.