How Long Does Avanafil Take to Work?

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Key takeaways

• Avanafil typically works within 15–30 minutes, making it one of the fastest-acting ED treatments available.
• Take avanafil approximately 15–30 minutes before sexual activity, with or without food, up to once per day.
• Sexual stimulation is required for avanafil to work; it does not cause automatic erections.
• Avanafil is prescription-only and supplied after an online consultation reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber.
• Avoid heavy meals and alcohol for best results, and never combine avanafil with nitrates or poppers.

Understanding How Long Avanafil Takes to Work

Avanafil is designed to work quickly, with clinical trials showing that it can become effective in as little as 15 minutes for some men, though 30 minutes is more typical [6][11]. This makes it particularly useful for those who prefer spontaneity or who find it difficult to plan sexual activity an hour or more in advance. The medicine reaches peak blood levels approximately 30–45 minutes after taking it.

The speed at which avanafil works can vary between individuals depending on factors such as whether you have eaten recently, your metabolism, and the dose prescribed. Taking avanafil on an empty stomach may help it work slightly faster, though it can be taken with or without food [6]. A high-fat meal may delay absorption and slow the onset of effect.

It is important to remember that avanafil, like all PDE5 inhibitors, does not cause an erection by itself. Sexual arousal and stimulation are still necessary for the medicine to work [6]. The tablet helps improve blood flow to the penis when you are sexually excited, making it easier to achieve and maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity.

What Happens After Taking Avanafil?

After swallowing an avanafil tablet, the active ingredient is absorbed through your digestive system and enters the bloodstream. It then works by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which normally breaks down a substance that helps relax blood vessels in the penis [6]. By inhibiting this enzyme, avanafil allows blood vessels to remain dilated during sexual stimulation, improving erectile function.

The effects of avanafil can last for up to six hours, though this does not mean you will have an erection for that entire time [6]. It simply means the medicine remains active in your system, allowing you to respond to sexual stimulation during that window. Most men find the effect is strongest in the first few hours after taking the tablet.

Avanafil Dosing and Timing for Best Results

Avanafil is available in three strengths: 50mg, 100mg, and 200mg [6]. The usual starting dose is 100mg, taken approximately 15–30 minutes before you anticipate sexual activity. Your prescriber may adjust the dose to 200mg if the initial dose is not effective enough, or reduce it to 50mg if you experience side effects or have certain medical conditions.

You should take avanafil only when you plan to have sex, not as a daily medicine. The maximum frequency is once per day [6]. Swallow the tablet whole with water; do not crush or chew it. While avanafil can be taken with or without food, avoiding a heavy, high-fat meal beforehand may help it work more quickly.

If you find that avanafil does not work on the first occasion, do not take another dose on the same day. It can take a few attempts for some men to experience the full benefit, as anxiety or other factors can affect the first use. If the medicine does not work after several attempts, speak to your prescriber, who may adjust the dose or suggest an alternative treatment.

At a glance

How Does Avanafil Compare to Other ED Medicines in Onset Time?

When considering how long does avanafil take to work compared to other PDE5 inhibitors, avanafil is generally the fastest. Sildenafil (Viagra) typically takes about one hour to work, though it can be effective from 30 minutes in some men [3]. Vardenafil (Levitra) has a similar onset time of 25–60 minutes [5]. Tadalafil (Cialis) is usually taken at least 30 minutes before sex, but its key feature is a much longer duration of action—up to 36 hours [4].

The rapid onset of avanafil makes it a good choice for men who value spontaneity or who do not want to plan too far ahead. However, the choice of ED medicine depends on individual preferences, lifestyle, side effects, and any other health conditions or medicines you take. Some men prefer the longer window offered by tadalafil, while others find sildenafil or vardenafil works well for them.

All PDE5 inhibitors require sexual stimulation to work and have similar effectiveness overall [2]. Your prescriber will help you choose the most suitable option based on your medical history, current medications, and personal preferences during an online consultation.

Which ED Medicine Is Right for You?

Choosing between avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil often comes down to timing and lifestyle. If you want the fastest onset and a relatively short planning window, avanafil may be ideal. If you prefer flexibility over a longer period (such as a weekend), tadalafil's 36-hour window might suit you better. Sildenafil and vardenafil sit somewhere in between.

Cost can also be a factor. Generic sildenafil and tadalafil are typically less expensive than branded or newer options like avanafil. At Cured Pharmacy, sildenafil starts from £0.45 per tablet (£0.36 with code Ednew), while Spedra (avanafil) is priced at £20.95 (£16.76 with code Ednew). Your prescriber will discuss these options during your consultation to help you make an informed choice.

Important Safety Information About Avanafil

Avanafil is a prescription-only medicine and is only supplied after an online consultation reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber. It is not suitable for everyone. You must not take avanafil if you use nitrate medicines for chest pain (such as GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational drugs known as 'poppers' (amyl or alkyl nitrites) [6]. Combining avanafil with these can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Avanafil is also contraindicated or requires caution if you take certain other medicines. Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors—such as ritonavir, cobicistat, Paxlovid, ketoconazole, itraconazole, or clarithromycin—can significantly increase avanafil levels in the blood, and avanafil should generally be avoided in these cases [6]. If you take alpha-blockers for prostate problems or high blood pressure (such as doxazosin or tamsulosin), there is a risk of dizziness or low blood pressure; your prescriber will check that you are stable on the alpha-blocker and may start you on a lower dose of avanafil.

Common side effects of avanafil include headache, flushing, nasal congestion, and back pain [6]. These are usually mild and short-lived. Serious side effects are rare but require urgent medical attention: if you experience an erection lasting more than four hours (priapism), sudden loss of vision or hearing, or chest pain during sex, seek immediate help. Avanafil is not suitable if sexual activity is inadvisable due to severe heart problems, recent heart attack or stroke, very low blood pressure, or certain eye conditions such as previous non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) [6].

Lifestyle Factors That Affect How Quickly Avanafil Works

Several lifestyle factors can influence how long avanafil takes to work and how well it works. Alcohol can worsen erectile dysfunction and may also add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect of avanafil, increasing the risk of dizziness [6]. While a small amount of alcohol is unlikely to cause problems, heavy drinking is best avoided when using ED medicines.

Food, particularly high-fat meals, can delay the absorption of avanafil and slow its onset of action [6]. If you want the medicine to work as quickly as possible, consider taking it on an empty stomach or after a light meal. Grapefruit juice can also interact with avanafil by raising its levels in the blood, so it is best avoided.

Stress, anxiety, and relationship issues can all affect erectile function, even when taking medicine. ED treatments work best when combined with a healthy lifestyle, open communication with your partner, and addressing any underlying psychological factors. If you have persistent ED, it is important to see your GP, as it can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease or diabetes [1][2].

When to See Your GP About Erectile Dysfunction

If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction for the first time, or if it is getting worse, you should see your GP for a full assessment [1]. ED can be an early sign of underlying health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Your GP can check for these conditions, review your current medicines, and discuss treatment options.

Online pharmacies like Cured Pharmacy can provide convenient access to ED treatments after a clinical consultation, but they are not a substitute for a face-to-face GP appointment if you have new or worsening symptoms, other health concerns, or if ED medicines are not working for you. Your GP can also refer you to a specialist if needed and explore other treatment options such as vacuum devices, injections, or psychological support [2].

Getting Avanafil (Spedra) from Cured Pharmacy

Cured Pharmacy is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy (GPhC 9012511) offering convenient access to erectile dysfunction treatments, including Spedra (avanafil). All prescription medicines are supplied only after an online consultation that is reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber. The consultation asks about your medical history, current medicines, and any conditions that might affect the safety of ED treatment.

Spedra (avanafil) is available at Cured Pharmacy for £20.95, or £16.76 for your first order when you use the code Ednew. We also offer a range of other ED treatments to suit different needs and budgets, including generic sildenafil from £0.45 (£0.36 with code Ednew), tadalafil from £7.95 (£6.36 with code Ednew), and vardenafil from £16.95 (£13.56 with code Ednew). Your prescriber will help you choose the most appropriate option during your consultation.

Once your consultation is approved, your medicine is dispensed by our UK-based pharmacy team and delivered discreetly to your door. If you have any questions about your treatment, our pharmacists are available to provide advice and support. Remember, if avanafil or any other ED medicine is not working for you, or if you experience side effects, contact your prescriber or GP for further guidance.

When to get urgent help

• An erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism) – go to A&E immediately to prevent permanent damage.
• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes – stop taking avanafil and seek urgent medical help.
• Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears or dizziness – contact a doctor straight away.
• Chest pain during or after sex – stop activity, do not take more avanafil, and seek urgent medical advice.
• Severe allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing) – call 999 immediately.

Call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency, or contact NHS 111 for urgent advice.

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