Spedra Tablets for Erectile Dysfunction

Spedra is a pill that’s used to treat erectile dysfunction and is taken just before you want to have sex (about 15 to 30 minutes). It contains the active ingredient, avanafil, which belongs to a class of medications called phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors.

Spedra works by relaxing the muscles in the penis, this increases blood flow, helping you to stay hard and maintain an erection. Spedra does not just give you an erection, you’ll need to be sexually aroused for it to work.

“Spedra does not cure erectile dysfunction or any underlying conditions that may cause it. It can, however, treat your symptoms so you can improve your sex life. You should still speak to your GP to find out the underlying cause of your erectile dysfunction. ED tablets like Spedra can be used in the meantime when you need them, as long as a healthcare professional has checked that the medication is safe for you to take.” – Dr Zoe Miller, Medical Editor.

How long does Spedra last?

Spedra usually lasts for 4 to 6 hours. This doesn’t mean that you’ll have an erection that lasts for 4 to 6 hours, but the medication can help you get an erection during this time frame.

How long does Spedra take to work?

Spedra is the fastest-working erectile dysfunction medication, getting to work in as little as 15 minutes, compared to 30 to 60 minutes with other erectile dysfunction medications.

How effective is Spedra

Spedra is an effective erectile dysfunction treatment, and clinical trials have shown that this medication can help up to 59% of men get an erection hard enough to have sex with.

How effective Spedra is for you will depend on many things, such as:

• how suitable it is for you
• whether you’re sexually aroused
• if you’ve drunk alcohol
• if you’ve eaten a large meal before taking it

Note that alcohol and heavy meals can delay the effects of Spedra or make it less effective.

“When trying Spedra, we recommend using it on 8 different occasions before deciding the treatment is not working for you. It can sometimes take time for a new ED treatment to work as your body needs to adjust. Things like confidence issues and nervousness can also mean it takes a few attempts to be effective. Don’t take Spedra more than once per day. Speak to your doctor if you’ve tried it 8 times and you’re still not able to get an erection hard enough or keep it long enough for sex.” – Dr Zoe Miller, Medical Editor.

The usual Spedra starting dose is one 100mg tablet in 24 hours. You should:

• swallow 1 Spedra pill with water
• take it 15 to 30 minutes before you want to have sex
• take it with or without food but it may take longer to work if you take it with food

When to take Spedra

Spedra tablets should be taken 15 to 30 minutes before you intend to have sex.

How much Spedra to take

You should only take 1 Spedra tablet in 24 hours, regardless of the dosage that you have been prescribed. This is because the dosage prescribed to you has been determined to be safe by a doctor, and taking more than this could cause unwanted side effects.

If you are taking medicines containing a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor, such as erythromycin, fluconazole, fosamprenavir or verapamil, you should leave at least 2 days between Spedra doses.

How long do you need to take Spedra for?

Spedra is taken on an as-needed basis, so you only take it for as long as you need help with your erectile dysfunction. Spedra is safe to take over a long period of time, so you can use it for as long as you need to under a doctor’s supervision.

Like all medications, Spedra can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Common side effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 people):

• headache
• flushing
• nasal congestion

Uncommon side effects (affecting up to 1 in 100 people):

• dizziness
• feeling sleepy or very tired
• back pain
• blocked sinuses
• hot flushes
• feeling out of breath when you exert yourself
• fast heartbeat
• heartbeat changes
• palpitations
• indigestion
• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• blurred vision
• raised liver enzymes

Rare side effects (affecting up to 1 in 1000 people):

• flu-like symptoms
• stuffy or runny nose
• hayfever
• sleep issues
• restlessness
• high blood pressure
• diarrhoea
• weight gain
• fever
• nosebleed

You can find a full list of Spedra side effects in the patient information leaflet.

If you experience any of the following serious Spedra side effects, stop taking Spedra and see a doctor straight away, call 999, or have someone take you to A&E:

• an erection that will not go away (priapism) or lasts for more than 4 hours
• blurred vision
• sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes
• sudden decrease or loss of hearing
• a severe allergic reaction that causes difficulty swallowing or breathing, loss of consciousness, facial swelling, or dizziness

How long do Spedra side effects last?

Spedra can remain in your system for 6 to 17 hours; most side effects should go away within this time (once the active ingredient has left your body). If you’re taking Spedra often, such as every few days, and you get persistent side effects, speak to your doctor as a daily ED pill may be more suitable.

What to do if you get Spedra side effects

If you experience side effects that are difficult to manage when taking Spedra, speak to your doctor. They may be able to lower your dose or recommend a different treatment.

Mild side effects can be treated by:

• taking over-the-counter painkillers to ease any discomfort
• drinking plenty of water
• avoiding alcohol
• getting rest
• taking Spedra on an empty stomach or taking it with a small amount of food (not a heavy meal) – some people feel nauseous from taking Spedra with food and others find it better to have a small snack, such as a piece of fruit, at the same time as their tablet

If you are unsure, speak to your doctor or if it is out of hours, call 111 for advice.

If you experience any serious side effects, get someone to take you to A&E or call 999.

Do not take Spedra if you:

• are allergic to avanafil or any ingredients in Spedra
• have a serious heart problem
• have had a stroke or a heart attack in the last 6 months
• have uncontrolled high or low blood pressure
• have angina
• get chest pain during sex or have been told not to have sex because of this
• have a serious kidney or liver issue
• have eye problems in your family

If you take the following medications, do not take Spedra:

• nitrates (e.g. poppers)
• ritonavir
• indinavir
• saquinavir
• nelfinavir
• atazanavir
• ketoconazole
• itraconazole
• voriconazole
• clarithromycin
• telithromycin
• riociguat

If you’re not sure, check the active ingredient in your patient information leaflet or speak with your doctor before getting your prescription.

Before taking Spedra, let your doctor know if you:

• have heart issues
• experience erections that last for 4 hours of more (priapism)
• have a condition that affects the shape of your penis
• have a bleeding disorder or a stomach ulcer

You should also tell your doctor if you take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications before taking Spedra.

Spedra with food and drink

Drinking alcohol with Spedra can increase the risk of side effects, including:

• dizziness
• headache
• palpitations

Alcohol can also lower your chances of getting an erection.

You should also avoid drinking grapefruit juice up to 24 hours before you are going to take Spedra because this can increase your exposure to the medication and may increase the risk of side effects.

Spedra and driving

One of the side effects of Spedra is dizziness. If you feel dizzy or your vision changes, you should avoid driving or operating machinery.

Spedra may not be suitable for everyone. There are several Spedra alternatives available.

ZAVA offers:

• Viagra/sildenafil
• Cialis/Cialis Daily/generic tadalafil

If you are looking for an over-the-counter erectile dysfunction treatment, you could try:

• Viagra Connect

Spedra vs Viagra

Spedra and Viagra are both PDE-5 inhibitors which means they work in the same way to help you get an erection. However, they contain different active ingredients. Viagra contains sildenafil while Spedra contains avanafil.

Both Spedra and Viagra can last for 4 to 6 hours but Spedra works quicker, with some patients getting an erection in as little as 15 minutes. So, if you’re looking for a fast-acting erectile dysfunction medication, Spedra may be a more appropriate choice.

Research also shows that avanafil causes fewer significant reductions in blood pressure than sildenafil: 15% compared to 29%.

Spedra vs tadalafil

Tadalafil (also sold under the brand name Cialis) is a PDE-5 inhibitor like Spedra but it works slightly differently. Although Spedra can help you get an erection in 15 to 30 minutes, compared to 30 to 60 minutes for tadalafil, the effects only last for around 4 hours.

Tadalafil effects, on the other hand, last up to 36 hours, so may be more appropriate if you’re looking for a longer-lasting treatment.

You can also try Cialis Daily, which is a lower daily dose of tadalafil that helps you get an erection at any time. And because it’s a daily pill, you don’t have to take it just before sex. This option is recommended if you have sex frequently (3 times or more a week).