Description
Avana (Avanafil) 50 mg
Avana (Avanafil) 50 mg is an oral medicine containing avanafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor used for erectile dysfunction in adult men. It is formulated as tablets for oral use. The verified clinical use and safety profile of avanafil are based on the active ingredient rather than the trade name alone.
Active Ingredient and Medicine Class
The active ingredient is avanafil. It belongs to the PDE5 inhibitor class, which also includes other medicines used for erectile dysfunction. This group acts on the nitric oxide–cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway involved in penile blood flow.
Established Medical Uses
Avanafil is established for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult men. Regulatory reviews describe its role as improving the ability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity, with sexual stimulation still required for effect. Clinical studies evaluated doses including 50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg, but the presence of a 50 mg tablet does not imply a recommended dose for any individual.
How It Works
Avanafil works by inhibiting PDE5, an enzyme that breaks down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). During sexual stimulation, increased cGMP helps relax smooth muscle in the penis and allows more blood to enter the erectile tissue. By slowing cGMP breakdown, avanafil enhances this natural response and supports erection quality.
Important Safety Information
Avanafil should not be used with organic nitrates, because the combination can cause a marked fall in blood pressure. It is also contraindicated with guanylate cyclase stimulators such as riociguat, and in people with known hypersensitivity to the medicine or any tablet component. Regulatory information also advises caution with alpha-blockers, other antihypertensive medicines, alcohol, and medicines that inhibit CYP3A4, because these may increase avanafil exposure or strengthen blood-pressure-lowering effects.
Additional precautions are described for cardiovascular disease, severe renal impairment, liver impairment, eye disorders including prior non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, and sudden hearing changes. As with other PDE5 inhibitors, an erection lasting too long requires urgent medical attention.
Possible Side Effects
The most commonly reported side effects include headache, flushing, nasal congestion or a runny nose, sore throat, and back pain. Less common reactions reported in clinical studies included dizziness and upper respiratory symptoms. Serious but uncommon adverse effects may include prolonged erection, significant drops in blood pressure, vision changes, sudden hearing loss, and hypersensitivity reactions such as swelling or itching.
Scientific Evidence
Randomised controlled trials and later reviews have found that avanafil improves erectile function compared with placebo. In a phase 3 trial, men taking avanafil showed significantly better erectile-function outcomes, and some successful intercourse attempts were reported within 15 minutes of dosing. A meta-analysis of randomised trials also found avanafil to be effective and generally well tolerated, with adverse events mainly reflecting the known PDE5 inhibitor profile. These findings support its clinical role in erectile dysfunction, while individual response and tolerability can vary.
Medical Information Notice
This page is an educational summary based on sources available at the time of review. It does not replace the official patient leaflet, product information, or assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Medical Sources
- European Medicines Agency Spedra (avanafil) EPAR medicine overview
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed Avanafil tablets, prescribing information
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration STENDRA (avanafil) tablets, full prescribing information
- Irwin Goldstein et al. “A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the safety and efficacy of avanafil in subjects with erectile dysfunction.” Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2012. View scientific article
- Yuan-Shan Cui et al. “Avanafil for male erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Asian Journal of Andrology, 2014. View scientific article
