Stendra is a new erectile dysfunction drug intended to be a viable alternative to Viagra. Known generically as avanafil, Stendra works in the same manner as other erectile dysfunction drugs in the same class like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. It inhibits the PDE5 enzyme and helps to increase the amount of blood flow available to the penis. Stendra’s breakthrough comes in the length of time that it takes for the drug to have an effect. Most medications in this class recommend that you take them at least an hour before any expected sexual activity. Stendra on the other hand needs to only be taken thirty minutes before you want to have sex and some studies have suggested that Stendra may work in as little as fifteen minutes. Stendra is made by Vivus, a relatively new drug company with Stendra being the only drug it has brought to market thus far.
It has been estimated that erectile dysfunction may affect as many as 30 million American men who spend over $5 billion on drug treatments each year to overcome it. Erectile dysfunction, sometimes referred to as impotence, occurs when a man is not able to achieve an erection suitable for the performance of the sexual act. While there is no cure for erectile dysfunction, Stendra and other drugs like it can overcome the effects temporarily and help a man to achieve an erection sufficient for the completion of the act and the pleasure of both partners. Side effects of Stendra are the same as the other members of this drug class and can include headaches, back pain, a reddening of the face, and nasal congestion. Stendra can also cause the sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes and may affect the color vision but these side effects are not common.