What is Stendra | Ingredients | How Does it Work | Drug Interactions | Side Effects | Proper Dosing | Where Can I Buy
Stendra is a prescription only erectile dysfunction (ED) medication that contains avanafil as the active ingredient.
It is taken orally and works by increasing blood flow to the penis, which allows it to become rigid enough for sexual activity. We’ll answer all of your questions about Stendra so you can make an informed decision on whether or not it is right for you.
What is Stendra?
Stendra is the brand name of the drug avanafil and it is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, or PDE5 inhibitor, which means it’s a vasodilating drug.
Vasodilating drugs regulate the blood flow to the penis helping it to get hard and stay hard. Stendra has been used in the treatment of high blood pressure and prostate cancer but it’s most common use is as a prescription by your doctor as an erectile dysfunction medication but it is only available with a doctor’s order.
What is the active ingredient in Stendra?
Avanafil is the name of the active ingredient in Stendra which is a PDE5 inhibitor. Stendra is not the only type of PDE5 inhibitor though as there are four total types available in different medications. Avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra), all are PDE5 inhibitors with their most popular corresponding brand name drugs next to them. All these medications can be used in ED treatments with slightly different reactions and side effects, so it is important that you talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see which one is the right one for you.
Stendra | Hims
Stendra® (avanafil) is the newest FDA approved ED prescription medication on the market and it’s got a superpower: Stendra can work in as little as 15 minutes. Ain’t nobody mad at that.
How does Stendra work?
Stendra is a vasodilating drug which means it works by opening, also known as dilating, the blood vessels which increases blood flow. It does this by releasing nitric oxide in the corpus cavernosum, causing the smooth muscles in your penis to relax. The smooth muscles simply being muscles that work involuntarily, like the muscles in your penis during an erection. These relaxed muscles allow more blood to flow into your penis which allows you to get harder and stay harder longer. It can also work by helping stave off premature ejaculation. Please note, that like all other PDE5 inhibitors, Stendra will not make you involuntarily erect. It is necessary to have sexual stimulation in order for this medication to cause you to get an erection.
Differences between PDE5 inhibitors
The main difference between Stendra and the other PDE5 inhibitors is its ability to usually act faster than the other medications, according to one study. Stendra takes up to 30 minutes to work for most men and about two-thirds say it takes effect within 15 minutes. The other medications usually take 30 minutes to one hour to take full effect.
Other differences include:
- Longer-lasting than the other PDE5 inhibitors except for Cialis (tadalafil).
- Fewer side effects, specifically in relation to low blood pressure and vision troubles.
- Fewer people are affected by taking it with food, whereas other medications will take longer to work when taken with a large meal.
- Safer to use while consuming alcohol.
Although these are not the only differences, they are the main ones concerning their use for erectile dysfunction.
What medications can’t I take with Stendra?
Stendra should not be taken with nitrates, or any other medications that have nitrates in them, such as Nitrostat or Nitropress, isosorbide Mononitrate (Imdur), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Imdur), nitroglycerin (Nitrolingual spray). It’s important to remember these types of drugs are used for high blood pressure so if you’re currently taking one then make sure to talk to your doctor about how they may interact with avanafil before starting your prescriptions. Drugs with nitrates in them also include recreational drugs, the most common being called “poppers,” and these should also be avoided while taking this medication. You also cannot use Stendra if you are taking other PDE-inhibitors such as tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), or sildenafil (Viagra) as Stendra will decrease the effects of these drugs.
What are the common side effects of Stendra?
There are several possible side effects to be aware of when taking Stendra.
These include:
- Headache, the most common side effect found in 5.1% of men in an FDA trial study
- Facial flushing
- Nasal congestion
- Cold symptoms, also known as nasopharyngitis
- Back pain
If you experience these or any similar side effects please talk to your doctor or pharmacist immediately and seek medical attention when necessary. If you experience chest pain from Stendra’s interaction with other nitrates, or any of these other serious side effects, please seek medical attention immediately.
What doses are available for Stendra?
The most common way to take Stendra is orally through tablet or pill form. Stendra is sold in several different dosing options which are 50mg, 100mg, and 200mg. The higher doses do not seem to be more effective than the lower dose with ED patients but it can lead to stronger side effects. You should talk to your doctor about which dosage may work best for you on an individual basis based on what type of medication your doctor has prescribed for you before starting Stendra so that you’re aware if there are any interactions that could occur between them.
Where can I get Stendra?
There are currently no over-the-counter forms available for Stendra so the only way to get it in the U.S. is by visiting your doctor first who can prescribe it to you. This product is available in brand form only, called Stendra, and not in generic form as avanafil to help avoid any confusion with the first-generation ED medications. When talking to your doctor about ED, please note any and all medications you are taking or will be taking with Stendra as there are noted severe interactions with other medicines.
If you are unable to make it to your physician for whatever reason, our partner online offers free medical consultation with the ability to prescribe medications across the U.S. All you have to do is go to their site and talk to a medical professional over your phone or computer and, if approved for a prescription, they can send you Stendra straight to your mailbox. It’s fast, convenient, and also discreet, so check them out. They also have the other PDE5 inhibitor drugs available by prescription including Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra, so talk to your or their doctor to see which one, if any, is right for you.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Fast and furious
| Stendra | Hims |
Stendra® (avanafil) is the newest FDA approved ED prescription medication on the market and it’s got a superpower: Stendra can work in as little as 15 minutes. Ain’t nobody mad at that.
| Get HardRead Review |
|
The active ingredient in Viagra®
 | Sildenafil | Hims |
Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra, which is FDA approved to treat ED. It improves blood flow to the penis by relaxing blood vessels and smooth muscle. The result is a harder and longer-lasting erection. We offer this popular ED treatment at a fraction of the brand name price.
| Get HardRead Review |
|
The long laster
 | Tadalafil | Hims |
Tadalafil, the generic equivalent to brand name Cialis® (made by Eli Lilly), helps men with ED get and maintain erections with greater ease. Tadalafil stays in your system for longer than other ED meds to help you stay in the moment, without the need to “slip away” or “time” your dose. Plus, you can treat ED with over 50% in savings from Cialis. Talk about hard made easy.
| Get HardRead Review |
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Enjoy the Ride
 | Sertraline | Hims |
Sertraline is a prescription medication that doctors can prescribe for the treatment of premature ejaculation, allowing you to control your climax and enjoy sex for longer. And because Sertraline is a pill taken ahead of time, whether on a daily or an as-needed basis, you won’t have to halt the action to apply a topical product. Modern romance at its finest.
| Last Longer |
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Doctor-trusted
 | Paroxetine | Hims |
| Last Longer |
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Enjoy the Ride
 | Delay Spray | Hims |
Delay Spray is designed to help keep the lovemaking going longer and stronger. In a study, men reported lasting 64% longer when using this spray. It’s the perfect sidekick to boost sexy time, so you don’t have to hold back.
| Last Longer |
Summary
In this article, we looked at the benefits of Stendra and what you need to know about it. Stendra is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. There are several differences between Stendra and other PDE5 inhibitors, such as Stendra being safe to take along with alcohol or Stendra taking a shorter time to work and is longer lasting than most comparable medications of its kind. Despite having fewer side effects than similar PDE5 medications, there are also some side effects that you want to watch out for when taking Stendra, such as headache, flushing, back pain, cold symptoms, or nasal congestion. If you have any questions regarding this medication or any of its side effects while taking it, we encourage you to talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find the treatment for you.
References, Studies and Sources:
FDA – Stendra
MedlinePlus – Avanafil
Wiki – Avanafil, Erectile Dysfunction
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Chris is one of the Co-Founders of Pharmacists.org. An entrepreneur at heart, Chris has been building and writing in consumer health for over 10 years. In addition to Pharmacists.org, Chris and his Acme Health LLC Brand Team own and operate Diabetic.org and the USA Rx Pharmacy Discount Card powered by Pharmacists.org.
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