Spedra

What is Spedra?

Spedra is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men. Its active ingredient is avanafil, which belongs to a group of medicines known as PDE5 inhibitors. These medicines help improve blood flow to the penis, making it easier to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual activity.

Spedra is often described as a fast-acting ED treatment and is designed to be taken shortly before sex rather than daily. It does not increase sexual desire and only works when sexual stimulation is present. Spedra is a viable option for men who want a fast-acting treatment.

How Does Spedra Work?

Spedra works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual arousal. Avanafil, the active ingredient, is a PDE5 inhibitor that targets an enzyme involved in blood vessel relaxation (vasodilation).

When a man is sexually stimulated, nitric oxide is released in the penis. This triggers a natural process which relaxes blood vessels and allows more blood to flow in, leading to an erection. Avanafil supports this process by blocking the PDE5 enzyme, helping blood vessels stay relaxed longer and improving erection quality.

Spedra does not cause an erection on its own, and sexual stimulation is still required for it to be effective. Its mechanism is well understood and similar to other ED treatments, with a particular focus on faster onset.

How Long Does Spedra Take to Work?

Spedra typically starts working in 15 to 30 minutes for most men, provided sexual stimulation occurs. This makes it suitable for men who prefer a more spontaneous approach to intimacy. In comparison, medicines containing sildenafil (such as Viagra) should be taken 1 hour before sex, with effects becoming noticeable within 30 to 60 minutes.

How Long Does Spedra Last?

Spedra usually lasts between 4 and 6 hours, allowing enough time for sexual activity without strict timing. The exact duration can vary depending on factors such as dose, metabolism and whether alcohol or food was consumed. Once the effects wear off, erectile function returns to normal. Spedra does not cure erectile dysfunction; it simply treats the symptoms when you need it most.

How Effective is Spedra for Erectile Dysfunction?

Spedra contains avanafil, a second-generation PDE5 inhibitor that has been proven in rigorous clinical trials to be a highly effective treatment for ED. Its performance has been validated in large-scale, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (the "gold standard" for clinical trials).

Clinical studies demonstrate that avanafil significantly improves the ability to achieve and maintain erections suitable for sexual activity. Compared to a placebo, a much higher proportion of men using Spedra successfully started and completed sexual intercourse.

One study published in the Journal of Urology found that many participants achieved successful intercourse as early as 15 minutes after taking 100 mg or 200 mg of avanafil, with some reporting effects in just 10–12 minutes. Meanwhile, another trial exhibited avanafil's superior performance to placebo when it recorded that, out of the number of sexual intercourse attempts made within 15 minutes of dosing, 64% to 71% were successful, compared to just 27% with placebo. Of attempts made more than 6 hours after dosing, 59% to 83% were successful, versus just 25% with placebo.

Spedra (avanafil) has also achieved high satisfaction rates in clinical trials, with one real-world observational study finding that up to 87.5% of men were pleased with the treatment results. While individual results vary, the clinical evidence supports Spedra as a reliable and fast-acting option for restoring sexual confidence.

How to Take Spedra Tablets

Spedra should be taken shortly before planned sexual activity. It's recommended to take it about 30 minutes before planned sexual activity if you're taking the 50 mg dose, or 15-30 minutes for the 100 mg and 200 mg strengths. Swallow the tablet whole with water. Take only one dose within a 24-hour period unless your clinician advises otherwise. You can take Spedra with or without food, although a heavy meal may delay how quickly it starts to work. Remember that Spedra will only help you to get an erection if you are sexually stimulated. You should engage in foreplay or masturbation to help stimulate arousal before sex.

Spedra Dosage Information

Spedra is available in several strengths (50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg). The usual dose is 100 mg, taken when needed (no more than once a day). Depending on effectiveness and tolerance, the dose may be adjusted up or down. The maximum recommended dose is 200 mg once daily as needed. Dose adjustment may also be required if you are taking certain other medicines that are "moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors". In these cases, the recommended dose of Spedra is 100 mg with an interval of at least 2 days between doses.

If You Take Too Many Spedra Pills

Do not take more Spedra pills than advised, as you may experience more side effects than usual and they could be worse in severity. If you do take too many tablets, seek medical advice straight away. Taking too much Spedra will not improve your erections. If Spedra is not proving effective for you, speak to your prescriber about alternative erectile dysfunction treatment options.

Spedra Side Effects and Cautions

Before taking Spedra for the first time, take some time to review the following side effects and safety information. If you have any questions about using Spedra, speak to your prescriber or doctor.

Possible Side Effects of Spedra

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you experience side effects from Spedra use, speak to your doctor. Reported side effects include:

Note that the above list does not cover all the potential side effects of Spedra tablets. A full list of potential rare side effects can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the medication. You can also report any adverse reactions you experience via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

When to Stop Taking Spedra Tablets

Stop taking Spedra immediately and seek urgent medical advice if you notice any of the following serious side effects:

• An erection lasting longer than 4 hours (priapism) which may or may not be painful. Failing to treat this can lead to lasting damage and may lead to further problems with achieving erections
• Blurred vision
• Sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden decrease or loss of hearing (this may include dizziness or ringing in your ears)

Who Can Take Spedra Pills?

Spedra may be prescribed for adult men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. It's not suitable for everyone, particularly those taking nitrate medicines or with certain heart or eye conditions. A clinician will assess your medical history, current medications and overall health to determine whether Spedra is appropriate for you.

You should not take Spedra if:

• You are allergic to avanafil or any other ingredient in this medicine
• You have a serious cardiac problem
• You have had a stroke or heart attack in the last 6 months
• You have low blood pressure or high blood pressure not controlled by medicines
• You have chest pain (angina) or get chest pain during sexual intercourse
• You have serious liver or kidney problems
• You have loss of vision in one eye due to non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
• You have certain hereditary eye problems such as retinitis pigmentosa
• You have drunk grapefruit juice within 24 hours prior to taking Spedra, as this can increase exposure to the medicine

Precautions Before Using Spedra

Your prescriber will want to review your medical history to check your suitability for Spedra. Tell your clinician if any of the following apply to you:

• You have heart trouble (your clinician will want to assess whether you can safely engage in sexual intercourse without putting excess strain on your heart)
• You get persistent erections lasting longer than 4 hours (priapism). Conditions such as sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma, and leukaemia can increase your risk of priapism
• You have a physical condition that affects the shape of your penis
• You have any bleeding disorder or active stomach ulceration

Spedra and Other Medicines

Your prescriber will want to review your current medication use before recommending Spedra. Tell your clinician if you are taking or have recently taken any prescribed medicines, over-the-counter treatments, herbal remedies, or supplements.

Do not take Spedra if you also take:

• Nitrate medicines. These include medicines to treat chest pain and heart failure (such as glyceryl trinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate), recreational drugs known as 'poppers' (alkyl nitrites), nicorandil, and sodium nitroprusside
• Riociguat or other guanylate cyclase stimulators (used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs)
• Medicines for HIV such as ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir, or atazanavir
• If you are taking medicines for fungal infections such as ketoconazole, itraconazole or voriconazole or certain antibiotics for bacterial infections, such as clarithromycin or telithromycin

Tell your prescriber if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Alpha-blockers (used to treat prostate problems or high blood pressure)
• Medicines for an irregular heartbeat such as quinidine, procainamide, or sotalol
• Antibiotics such as erythromycin
• Phenobarbital or primidone for epilepsy
• Carbamazepine
• Medicines that may reduce the breakdown of Spedra in the body (moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors) such as amprenavir, aprepitant, diltiazem, fluconazole, fosamprenavir, and verapamil

Do not use Spedra alongside other treatments for erectile dysfunction.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spedra Tablets