Since the introduction of the first erectile dysfunction drug, Viagra, a variety of other ED drugs have hit the market without much fanfare. So, although most people know what Viagra is, Stendra remains a mystery to many. How is Stendra different enough to warrant registration as a unique ED drug?

All four of the ED drugs we are about to discuss, have a few things in common. Their mode of action is the same (we’ll discuss that in greater depth shortly), and they are all PDE5 inhibitors, but the active ingredients used differ from one to the other. Here’s a brief summary:

Drug	Active Ingredient
Viagra	Sildenafil citrate
Levitra	Vardenafil HCl
Cialis	Tadalafil
Stendra	Avanafil

What Is Stendra?

As we have seen, Stendra is based on the active ingredient avanafil, a PDE5 inhibitor used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. If you suffer from ED, you have difficulty in getting and maintaining an erection.

Avanafil is perhaps the least well-known of the ED drugs, not because it is less effective, but because it was introduced to the market much later than the others. It was approved by the FDA in 2012 whereas Viagra has been around since 1998. Stendra was developed by drug development company Vivus. In 2013, Vivus entered a production and marketing partnership with Italian pharmaceutical company Menarini.

But what makes Stendra different to the other ED drugs already on the market? Its competitive edge lies in its rapid action. In clinical trials, 66 percent of men found it to be effective within just 15 minutes. That’s because the body absorbs it very quickly. Avanafil levels peak within 30 to 45 minutes of taking the drug.

How Stendra Works

Stendra works in the same way as other PDE5 inhibitors used to treat erectile dysfunction. In case you weren’t aware of the mechanism of action, here it is.

When a man is sexually aroused, nerve endings give off nitric oxide.

This converts guanosine monophosphate (GMP) into of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), relaxing the smooth muscles that control blood flow to the penis and allowing for improved blood-flow.

However, cGMP has an enemy in the form of an enzyme, PDE5 (phosphodiesterase 5), that breaks it down. By inhibiting PDE5, erectile dysfunction drugs allow the whole process of getting an erection to take place naturally. That means you will not get an erection unless you are sexually aroused.

Thus, Stendra and its related ED drugs are not aphrodisiacs that increase sexual desire and cause spontaneous erections. They merely facilitate sexual activity by making it possible to get an erection and by boosting men’s confidence so that they are not afraid of engaging in sex for fear of disappointing their partners. Also, contrary to urban legend, none of these drugs will make your erection bigger unless you have previously been unable to achieve a full erection.

How Long Does It Last?

The effects of Stendra last for 6 hours, a duration of action that’s a little longer than that of Levitra or Viagra, but shorter than Cialis. However, dosing information shows that you can take up to 200mg in 24 hours, and since the standard dose is 100mg (with some men finding 50mg to be sufficient), you could theoretically take a top-up dose within your 24-hour period if desired.

Stendra VS Viagra

One of the primary issues men had with the existing PDE5 inhibitors was the period of time they had to wait before the onset of action. That meant carefully planning ahead before a sexual encounter, making men feel that they could no longer act spontaneously. Stendra was introduced in order to satisfy men who had difficulty with this issue.

When we look at Stendra vs. Viagra, we see that Stendra can take effect in just 15 minutes, whereas Viagra requires at least 30 minutes to start working. Stendra also lasts up to two hours longer than Viagra 50 mg pills, which only lasts for about four hours. Thus, if sexual activity is unexpectedly delayed, men have less cause to worry about failure to get an erection. Also, dosage of Stendra is 100 mg, when there are Viagra – 200 mg, 150 mg, 100 and other dosages.

Stendra Compared to Cialis

On the surface, Cialis may seem to have the edge on Stendra in the Stendra vs. Cialis stakes. After all, Cialis 5 mg lasts a full 36 hours and can be used on an as-needed basis or even daily if the dose is reduced. However, it still takes longer to kick in, and there are men who find Stendra more effective than Cialis 60mg, 40, 10 mg pills or 5 mg.

If a sexual encounter were to happen unexpectedly, a man using Cialis 40 mg as needed would still have to wait up to 45 minutes before the drug took effect. With that having been said, some men feel the effects of Cialis much sooner, and a few finds that it works after 15 minutes, just as Stendra does.

Stendra or Levitra?

A comparison between Stendra and Levitra is much the same as contrasting Stendra and Viagra. Stendra works 10 to 20 minutes earlier and lasts one to two hours longer. In addition, most men find PDE5 inhibitors effective, but slight differences in the active ingredients often influence their preference for one over the other. When people read Viagra reviews, they think that generic Viagra 150 mg remains the most effective for them compared to other drugs, while others prefer Levitra, Cialis or Stendra.

Stendra Side Effects and Contraindications

Serious side effects are relatively rare. If this were not so, the FDA would not have approved it as a “safe drug”. Stendra shares many of the same side effects of other PDE5 inhibitors. These include:

• headaches;
• feelings of vertigo or dizziness;
• sensations of heat in face, neck, and chest with flushed skin;
• cold-like symptoms;
• mild digestive problems;
• muscle aches;
• changes in blood pressure (higher or lower).

Very rarely, hearing or visual loss or changes are experienced by men using PDE5 inhibitors.

There are conditions in which it would be unsafe to use any PDE5 inhibitor, and combining these drugs with other medications could be dangerous. It is wisest to consult a doctor before using ED drugs, even if you are not aware of a preexisting condition. For example, if you suffer from low blood pressure, ED drugs could reduce it still further – even to dangerous levels.

Comparative Summary

Apart from the differences between these ED drugs, their mode of action is exactly the same. Although some recreational users report taking two ED drugs together, this is extremely unwise. Instead, find the one that works for you, and stick to using that one only! Use this comparative table to see which you think will suit you best.

ED drug	Standard dose	Average time to work	How long does it last?
Viagra (Sildenafil)	25 to 50mg as needed or daily	30 minutes	4 – 5 hrs
Levitra (Vardenafil)	10mg as needed or daily	25 minutes	4 – 5 hrs
Cialis (Tadalafil)	10 – 20mg as needed or 5mg daily	15 to 45 minutes	36 hrs
Stendra (Avanafil)	100mg or a maximum of 200mg in 24 hours	15 to 30 minutes	6 hrs

Bear in mind that the values given above are really just averages. For example, some men find that Viagra takes up to 4 hours just to start working, and a few men, who have ED caused by other factors, may not find that any of these drugs works at all.

General Tips for ED Drug Use

Prescribing information shows that doses are chosen depending on age and general health. You should ideally start using ED medication under a doctor’s supervision. If you do not, begin with the lowest effective dose, adjusting upwards after a few days if the desired effect is not attained.

If you have heart or blood-pressure problems, liver or kidney problems or other health conditions, we strongly advise you to consult your doctor before using ED medications including Stendra. Also, feel free to try free Viagra samples.