Brand Name(s):
  • Stendra®
WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Avanafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED: impotence; inability to get or keep an erection in men). Avanafil is in a class of medications called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. This increased blood flow can cause an erection. Avanafil does not cure erectile dysfunction or increase sexual desire. Avanafil does not prevent pregnancy or the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

HOW should this medicine be used?


Your doctor will probably start you on an average dose of avanafil and may increase or decrease your dose depending on how you respond to the medication. Tell your doctor if avanafil is not working well or if you experience side effects.


Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?


What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking avanafil,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to avanafil, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in avanafil tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the patient information for a list of the ingredients.
  • do not take street drugs containing nitrates such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate ('poppers') while taking vardenafil.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: alpha blockers such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), tamsulosin (Flomax, in Jalyn), silodosin (Rapaflo), and terazosin (Hytrin); certain antifungal medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); aprepitant (Emend); clarithromycin (Biaxin); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); erythromycin (E.E.S, E-Mycin, Erythrocin); HIV protease inhibitors such as atazanavir (Reyataz), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Fortovase); other medications or treatments for erectile dysfunction; medications for high blood pressure; nefazodone; verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); and telithromycin (Ketek). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with avanafil, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
  • tell your doctor if you have ever been advised by a doctor to avoid sexual activity for medical reasons, if you have had heart surgery within the past 6 months and if you have ever had an erection that lasted longer than 4 hours. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a condition that affects the shape of the penis such as angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie's disease; a heart attack; a stroke; an irregular heartbeat; a blocked artery; angina (chest pain); high or low blood pressure; heart failure; blood cell problems such as sickle cell anemia (a disease of the red blood cells), multiple myeloma (cancer of the plasma cells), or leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells); ulcers; bleeding problems; or liver or kidney disease. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had retinitis pigmentosa (a rare inherited eye disease) or if you have ever had severe vision loss, especially if you were told that the vision loss was caused by a blockage of blood flow to the nerves that help you see.
  • you should know that avanafil is only for use in males. Women should not take avanafil, especially if they are or may become pregnant or are breastfeeding. If a pregnant woman takes avanafil, she should call her doctor.
  • talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages during your treatment with avanafil. If you drink a large amount of alcohol (more than three glasses of wine or three shots of whiskey) while you are taking avanafil you are more likely to experience certain side effects of avanafil such as dizziness, headache, fast heartbeat, and low blood pressure.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking avanafil.
  • you should know that sexual activity may be a strain on your heart, especially if you have heart disease. If you have chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sexual activity, call your doctor immediately and avoid sexual activity until your doctor tells you otherwise.
  • tell all your health care providers that you are taking avanafil. If you ever need emergency medical treatment for a heart problem, the health care providers who treat you will need to know when you last took avanafil.
What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?


What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?


  • headache
  • flushing
  • back pain


  • an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours
  • sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes (see below for more information)
  • sudden hearing loss
  • ringing in the ears
  • dizziness
  • rash
  • itching
  • swollen eyelids



Some patients experienced a sudden loss of some or all of their vision after they took medications that are similar to sildenafil. The vision loss was permanent in some cases. It is not known if the vision loss was caused by the medication. If you experience a sudden loss of vision while you are taking avanafil, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more doses of avanafil or similar medications such as sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra) until you talk to your doctor.

Some patients experienced a sudden decrease or loss of hearing after they took other medications that are similar to sildenafil. The hearing loss usually involved only one ear and did not always improve when the medication was stopped. It is not known if the hearing loss was caused by the medication. If you experience a sudden loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears or dizziness, while you are taking sildenafil, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more doses of avanafil or similar medications such as sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra) until you talk to your doctor.

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?


What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?


What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.




Selected Revisions: March 15, 2014.