Stendra vs. Avanafil

See how Stendra and Avanafil compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Stendra and avanafil are the same active medication, a PDE5 inhibitor taken as needed for erectile dysfunction.

  • Both come in 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg tablets taken before sexual activity, with the 100 mg and 200 mg doses working in as little as 15 minutes.

  • The two FDA labels report somewhat different side effect rates and warning details, so it is worth checking both rather than assuming the names are interchangeable in every detail.

Stendra vs. Avanafil Drug Summary

Stendra

Stendra is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction in adult men. It is taken as a single tablet, in 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg doses, as needed before sexual activity. It was FDA approved in 2012 and has no widely available generic version in the U.S.

Avanafil

Avanafil is the generic name for the same PDE5 inhibitor sold as Stendra, used to treat erectile dysfunction in adult males. It is taken as a single tablet, in 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg doses, as needed before sexual activity. It was also FDA approved in 2012 and, per its own label, has no widely available generic option in the U.S.

Stendra vs. Avanafil Side Effects

Stendra

Most common
headache (up to 10.5%)
flushing (up to 3.4%)
nasal congestion (up to 2.1%)
nasopharyngitis (up to 2.7%)

Avanafil

Most common
headache (10-16%)
flushing (5-12%)
nasal congestion (1-10%)
dyspepsia (4-12%)

Stendra vs. Avanafil Dosage

Stendra

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 50 mg as needed At the start
Maximum dose 200 mg as needed If needed
Dose changes 2 increases As tolerated

Avanafil

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 50 mg as needed At the start
Maximum dose 200 mg as needed If needed
Dose changes 2 increases As tolerated

Stendra vs. Avanafil Indications

Stendra

Stendra is FDA-approved to treat erectile dysfunction in adult men. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation and is taken only when needed, not on a daily schedule.

  • Treats erectile dysfunction in adult men

  • Taken as needed, not on a daily schedule

  • Not approved for use in women or children

  • 100 mg and 200 mg doses can work in as little as 15 minutes

Avanafil

Avanafil, the generic name for Stendra, is FDA-approved to treat erectile dysfunction in adult males. It works the same way, increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation, and is taken only when needed.

  • Treats erectile dysfunction in adult males

  • Taken as needed, not on a daily schedule

  • Not approved for use in females or pediatric patients

  • Some patients respond in as little as 15 minutes

Stendra vs. Avanafil Pros and Cons

Stendra

Stendra and avanafil are the same PDE5 inhibitor, but their FDA labels report different side effect rates and warning details. Coverage for this brand-named version is limited, and no widely available generic currently exists.

Pros

  • Lower reported rates for its most common side effects, including headache (up to 10.5%) and flushing (up to 3.4%)

  • Label specifies a clear 6-month window to avoid use after a heart attack, stroke, or serious arrhythmia

  • No dyspepsia listed among its common side effects, unlike the generic-labeled version

Cons

  • Label does not list explicit exclusions for severe renal or hepatic impairment, unlike the generic-labeled version

  • Label does not name specific contraindicated drug classes like GC stimulators (riociguat, vericiguat)

  • Same active ingredient as the generic-labeled version, so the brand name adds no extra effectiveness

Avanafil

Avanafil carries the same active ingredient as Stendra, but its FDA label lists somewhat higher side effect rates and more specific organ-function warnings. Coverage is also limited, and no widely available generic currently exists for this labeling either.

Pros

  • Label explicitly excludes patients with severe renal or hepatic impairment, giving clearer guidance for organ function concerns

  • Label explicitly names contraindicated drug classes such as GC stimulators (riociguat, vericiguat)

  • Same active ingredient as the brand-named version, so it treats erectile dysfunction just as effectively

Cons

  • Higher reported rates for its most common side effects, including headache (10-16%) and flushing (5-12%)

  • Lists dyspepsia as a common side effect (4-12%), not reported for the brand-named version

  • Cardiovascular caution language is more general, without the brand label's specific 6-month post-event timeframe

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