Spedra

Spedra is a prescription medication that contains avanafil, an active ingredient that belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE-5) inhibitors. Spedra is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) for people who struggle to get or maintain an erection for sex.

Spedra’s active ingredient, avanafil, works by relaxing the smooth muscles in the blood vessels of your penis. This allows more blood to flow in, helping you achieve and maintain a harder and longer-lasting erection. Spedra will not work if you are not sexually aroused, so it’s best to engage in foreplay so that you are sexually stimulated once you’ve taken your dose and are ready to have sex.

How long does Spedra take to work?

It can take around 15 and 30 minutes for Spedra to work. This can be affected by:

• whether or not you are aroused enough – Spedra will not work if you are not aroused
• what you have been eating – for example, heavy meals can make Spedra take longer to absorb
• if you have been drinking alcohol – drinking alcohol and taking Spedra can cause side effects

How long does Spedra last?

4 to 6 hours.

How effective is Spedra?

Clinical trials have reported that Spedra is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. It was found that Spedra helped patients with successful intercourse by:

• 47% on the 50mg dose
• 58% on the 100mg dose
• 59% on the 200mg dose

In comparison, 28% of patients taking a placebo experienced successful intercourse.

Spedra is available in 3 doses – 50mg, 100mg, and 200mg. Which dose you take will depend on your medical history, and how well Spedra works for you. Only ever take the dose your doctor has prescribed, or you could be putting yourself at risk of severe side effects.

Spedra 50mg

You’ll only take Spedra 50mg if there is a medical reason why you cannot take 100mg. This might be because you:

• are taking alpha-blockers for high blood pressure and your blood pressure is currently stable
• tried Spedra 100mg and had side effects
• have mild-to-moderate liver failure

Asda Online Doctor does not stock or prescribe Spedra 50mg tablets.

1. Take the dose of Spedra you have been prescribed, usually 100mg, around 15 to 30 minutes before you want to have sex.
2. Take your Spedra tablet with a glass of water.
3. Spedra can be taken with or without food, but avoid eating a big meal or it may take longer to work.
4. For Spedra to work, you need to be aroused. Make sure to engage in foreplay with your partner and that you work towards becoming sexually aroused once you have taken it.
5. Spedra lasts for around 4 hours, and how long it lasts depends on each person as its effects usually wear off after ejaculation.

Do not take more than 1 dose in 24 hours.

When should I start taking Spedra?

You can start taking Spedra if you need help getting and maintaining an erection. Speak with a doctor about your symptoms to see if it is the right treatment for you, or complete our short medical questionnaire to get a prescription for Spedra online, if it’s suitable for you.

You’ll usually take Spedra around 15 to 30 minutes before sex but if you’re taking the 50mg dose, take it 30 minutes before.

What should I do if I take 2 or more doses of Spedra?

If you take more Spedra than you have been prescribed, speak with your doctor straight away. You might get more side effects than you usually do, or they may be more severe.

Serious side effects may need urgent medical treatment, so call 999 straight away or get someone to take you to A&E if you experience:

• an erection lasting longer than 4 hours
• blurred or a complete loss of vision
• a sudden decrease or loss of hearing (which may also make you feel dizzy or cause a ringing in your ears)

You can buy Spedra online with a prescription from a doctor. Spedra is not available over the counter in pharmacies, and you can only get it on the NHS if you meet specific criteria.

Can I get Spedra online?

Yes, you can request Spedra online from safe and regulated online doctor services, such as Asda Online Doctor, by following these simple steps:

1. Complete our quick and easy online questionnaire. We only ask questions that are required to make sure your chosen treatment is safe and suitable for you.
2. One of our doctors will check your questionnaire and will approve Spedra if it is a suitable treatment for you.
3. Once approved, you can choose Spedra to be delivered to your home address fast and discreetly, or you can collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy.

Can I get Spedra over the counter?

No, Spedra is a prescription-only treatment so you cannot get it over the counter. The only ED treatment currently available over the counter is Viagra Connect, which contains 50mg of sildenafil, a different PDE-5 inhibitor.

Can I get Spedra on the NHS?

You might be able to get Spedra on the NHS but there are specific criteria for getting it. The NHS usually prescribes generic sildenafil tablets, which is the active ingredient in Viagra.

Spedra can cause some side effects and they are most likely when you first start taking it. Your doctor can lower your dose if you’re struggling to manage Spedra side effects or they do not go away after taking it several times.

Serious Spedra side effects

Stop taking Spedra and call 111 straight away (or 999 in an emergency) if you notice any of the following serious side effects:

• priapism (an erection that does not go away after 4 hours)
• blurred, or a sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes
• a sudden decrease or loss of hearing, which may also cause dizziness or ringing in the ears
• anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction), which can cause trouble breathing and swallowing, hives, dizziness, collapse, and swelling in the face, mouth, and throat

Common Spedra side effects:

• flushing
• nasal congestion
• headache

Uncommon Spedra side effects:

• dizziness
• feeling sleepy or very tired
• sinus congestion
• back pain
• hot flushes
• increased heartbeat
• feeling out of breath when you exert yourself, such as during sex
• heartbeat changes that show on a heart tracing machine (ECG)
• palpations (feeling your heartbeat in your chest)
• indigestion
• feeling or being sick
• blurred vision
• an increase in liver enzymes which would show on a blood test

Most of these side effects can be managed at home, such as by drinking plenty of fluids, taking over-the-counter painkillers, or taking Spedra with a small meal.

If your side effects do not go away, or get worse and you cannot manage them, speak with a doctor or contact NHS 111 straight away.

Rare Spedra side effects:

• influenza or influenza-like illness
• hayfever
• stuffy or runny nose
• congestion in the nose, sinuses, or upper part of the airway
• trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• gout
• feeling strange
• being unable to keep still
• chest pain, including serious chest pain
• fast heartbeat
• high or increased blood pressure
• dry mouth
• stomach ache or heartburn
• discomfort or pain in the lower stomach
• rash
• diarrhoea
• pain in the lower back or the side of the lower chest
• muscle pain, aches, or spasms
• needing to urinate (pee) more often
• penile disorder, such as a long-lasting erection or erectile dysfunction
• premature ejaculation
• spontaneous erection without sexual stimulation
• itching in the genital area
• feeling tired or weak all of the time
• swelling in the ankles or feet
• pink or red urine, or blood in the urine
• abnormal extra sound from the heart
• an abnormal blood test results for a prostate test called ‘PSA’ – you must let your doctor know you’re taking Spedra if you’re having this test
• an abnormal blood test result for bilirubin (a chemical that helps with the breakdown of red blood cells)
• an abnormal blood test result for creatinine, a chemical excreted in the urine, and a measure of kidney function
• fever
• noseblood
• weight gain

See the Spedra patient information leaflet for more detailed information on side effects.

Spedra can be taken by people with erectile dysfunction who need some extra assistance getting an erection that lasts. This does not mean it’s suitable for everyone, as some medicines and medical conditions interact with Spedra, which can make it unsafe to take.

Spedra is not suitable if you:

• are under 18
• are a woman
• have allergies to avanafil, or any other ingredients in the medication
• have a serious cardiac problem
• have had a stroke or heart attack in the previous 6 months
• have high or low blood pressure that is not controlled by medication
• have chest pain (angina) or get it during sex
• have a serious liver or kidney problem
• ever get a loss of vision in one eye because of a condition called non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy
• have a family history of serious eye problems, such as retinitis pigmentosa

Talk to your doctor before taking Spedra if you have any other medical conditions, including:

• heart problems (it may not be suitable for you to take Spedra or engage in sex)
• a condition that affects the shape of your penis, such as Peyronie’s disease or cavernosal fibrosis
• a bleeding disorder, or active peptic ulceration

Spedra drug interactions

Spedra cannot be prescribed if you take the following medicines:

• nitrates for chest pain, such as amyl nitrate
• HIV or AIDS treatment, including ritonavir and atazanavir
• fungal infection treatment, such as ketoconazole
• certain antibiotic treatment, such as clarithromycin
• riociguat, usually used to treat pulmonary hypertension in the lungs

Let your doctor know if you take any other medications, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications. If you are taking alpha blockers, you may need a reduced dose of Spedra due to potential interactions.

Do not use Spedra with other PDE-5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil, vardenafil, or tadalafil. This is the same as taking an overdose and could cause serious side effects.

Spedra food and drink interactions

Spedra can interact with some food and drink, such as:

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice

Grapefruit and/or grapefruit juice can increase your exposure to the medication and should be avoided at least 24 hours before taking Spedra.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can increase your heart rate and lower your blood pressure which can increase the risk of side effects of Spedra. Drinking alcohol with Spedra generally can also reduce your ability to get and maintain an erection for sex so it’s best to avoid or limit your intake, especially the first few times you try Spedra.