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Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) Inhibitor (Erectile Dysfunction) Pregnancy: Not indicated for use in women. No data from use in pregnant women; animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy or embryonal/foetal development. No data on use during breast-feeding.

Avanafil

Brand names: Spedra

Avanafil is an oral phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitor used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 100 mg
Route: Oral
Frequency: As needed, approximately 15 to 30 minutes before sexual activity; maximum recommended dosing frequency once per day
Max: 200 mg per dose; maximum recommended dosing frequency once per day
Source: UK SPC (eMC) section 4.2 for Spedra 100 mg tablets (https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/7421/smpc). VERBATIM: 'The recommended dose is 100 mg taken as needed approximately 15 to 30 minutes before sexual activity... Based on individual efficacy and tolerability, the dose may be increased to a maximum dose of 200 mg or decreased to 50 mg. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day.' Adult men (erectile dysfunction): recommended dose 100 mg taken as needed approximately 15-30 minutes before sexual activity. Based on individual efficacy and tolerability the dose may be increased to a maximum of 200 mg or decreased to 50 mg. Sexual stimulation is required for a response to treatment. Elderly (>=65 years): no dose adjustment required; limited data in patients aged 70 years or above. No dose adjustment required in diabetic patients. Hepatic impairment: mild to moderate (Child-Pugh A or B) should initiate treatment with the minimum efficacious dose and adjust posology based on tolerance; contraindicated in severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C). Concomitant moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (including erythromycin, amprenavir, aprepitant, diltiazem, fluconazole, fosamprenavir, verapamil): maximum recommended dose should not exceed 100 mg with an interval of at least 48 hours between doses. Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors are contraindicated. If taken with food, onset of activity may be delayed compared with the fasted state. Paediatric: the SPC states there is no relevant use of this product in the paediatric population in the indication of erectile dysfunction. US labelling differs on two points (verify before use): moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor cap is 50 mg per 24 hours, and a 50 mg starting dose is recommended in patients on stable alpha-blocker therapy. Note: the UK section 4.5 was not retrieved in this bundle - the interactions below come from the section 4.2 and 4.3 text.

Dose adjustments

Renal

No dose adjustment required in mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance >= 30 mL/min). Contraindicated in severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min). Patients with creatinine clearance >= 30 to < 80 mL/min showed decreased efficacy compared with normal renal function in phase 3 studies.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients
  • Patients using any form of organic nitrate or nitric oxide donors (such as amyl nitrite)
  • Co-administration with guanylate cyclase stimulators such as riociguat (risk of symptomatic hypotension)
  • Myocardial infarction, stroke or life-threatening arrhythmia within the last 6 months
  • Resting hypotension (BP < 90/50 mmHg) or hypertension (BP > 170/100 mmHg)
  • Unstable angina, angina with sexual intercourse, or congestive heart failure NYHA class 2 or greater
  • Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C)
  • Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min)
  • Loss of vision in one eye because of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
  • Known hereditary degenerative retinal disorders
  • Use of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telithromycin)

Side effects

  • Headache (common)
  • Flushing (common)
  • Nasal and sinus congestion (common)
  • Back pain (common)
  • Dizziness, dyspepsia and nausea (uncommon)

Interactions

  • Organic nitrates / nitric oxide donors - contraindicated (avanafil potentiates the hypotensive effect of nitrates)
  • Guanylate cyclase stimulators e.g. riociguat - contraindicated (symptomatic hypotension)
  • Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telithromycin) - contraindicated
  • Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (erythromycin, amprenavir, aprepitant, diltiazem, fluconazole, fosamprenavir, verapamil) - maximum dose 100 mg with at least 48 hours between doses
  • Alpha-blockers - concomitant use may lead to symptomatic hypotension in some patients

Clinical monograph

How it works

It selectively inhibits PDE5, increasing cyclic GMP in the corpus cavernosum and enhancing nitric-oxide-mediated smooth muscle relaxation and penile blood flow in response to sexual stimulation.

Prescribing in practice

  • Contraindicated with any form of nitrate or nitric-oxide donor because concomitant use causes potentially life-threatening hypotension.
  • Use with caution and at reduced exposure with alpha-blockers and other antihypertensives owing to additive blood-pressure-lowering effects.
  • Avoid or adjust with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, which markedly increase avanafil exposure.

Monitoring

No routine laboratory monitoring is required; assess cardiovascular fitness for sexual activity and response to treatment clinically.

Counselling the patient

  • Take before anticipated sexual activity; an erection still requires sexual stimulation to occur.
  • Seek urgent medical attention for an erection lasting several hours or for sudden visual or hearing loss.

Evidence & guidelines

Efficacy in erectile dysfunction is established in randomised controlled trials and reflected in the SPC.

Reference: NICE CKS Erectile dysfunction (2023); EAU Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health (2024); Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.