Stendra vs. Viagra: Which is better and effective?

Stendra vs. Viagra: Which is better and effective?
Alex Perry Published : Feb 05, 2024 Last Updated : Feb 07, 2024

With time, erectile dysfunction, or ED has become a chronic disorder that affects several men across the world. When left untreated, ED can also lead to lowered self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. Though there are several medicines available in the market to treat ED disorders Stendra and Viagra are the most effective ones.

If we talk about Stendra, then it is the newest medication available in the market to treat erectile dysfunction in men. Stendra was developed in the 2000s but was approved by the FDA in 2012 for treating ED.

This new ED medication is often compared to older pills available in the market like Viagra. Being a new prescription drug, Stendra offers several benefits over other older ED medicines. 

Right from lowering the risk of causing side effects to its quick absorption, Stendra offers amazing benefits to your body.

In this blog, you will come across a comparison of Stendra vs. Viagra on different factors and how they are effective in treating ED.

Stendra vs. Viagra: Know the basics

Stendra and Viagra are two medicines that are used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. They belong to a class of FDA-approved prescription drugs known as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors).

Both medicines work in your body by increasing the flow of blood to erectile tissue present in the male sexual organ. Doctors recommend taking both of these ED pills almost 30 minutes before planned sexual activity.

Stendra is a fast-acting medicine and starts to work within 15 to 30 minutes of administration, while Viagra takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. Though both ED drugs work by increasing blood flow to male reproductive organs, the effects of the Stendra tablet are more selective.

These ED medications can either taken without food or after having a light meal. But make sure that you do not take a double dose in a day and do not increase the medication dosage on your own.

This means that the chance of experiencing Stendra’s side effects is less when compared to the Viagra pill. Be it Stendra or Viagra, both ED pills do not cause random erections or affect your sexual drive.

Hard erections can be experienced by both medicines only under sexual stimulation. Since Viagra is an old medicine, it is also available as a generic which makes it more affordable than Stendra. Sildenafil is the generic name for Viagra.

The main differences between Stendra and Viagra

Both Stendra and Viagra are PDE-5 inhibitors that are recommended to men for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Currently, you can find Stendra only as a brand name. Its chemical name is Avanafil.

You can take Stendra as a 100mg or 200mg dose, almost 15 minutes before planned sexual intercourse. However, it can also be dosed at 50mg approximately 30 minutes before sexual activity.

Doctors recommend taking Viagra an hour before indulging in a lovemaking session with a partner. Whether you take Viagra or Stendra, only one dose is prescribed in a day. 

Stendra vs. Viagra: Are they both the same?

Stendra and Viagra are both PDE5 inhibitors used for ED in men. They belong to similar medical groups but are not the same precisely. Both medicines are vasodilators of male sexual organ blood vessels and increase penile blood flow through similar mechanisms.

You need to know that the component runs through your blood and has an effect on similar enzymes. If everything is the same then why are they not similar? This is because their chemical formula is a little different.

A little difference in their chemical formula and structure affects how medicines are absorbed & how much time they spend in blood.

Stendra vs. Viagra: Which medicine treats ED better?

As per clinical studies, it is revealed that Stendra and Viagra show effective results in treating erectile dysfunction in men.

Avanafil, an active ingredient in Stendra is considered effective and well-tolerated as a treatment option for ED men. 

There is a great improvement in erectile function for men who receive Stendra at a dose of 100mg or 200mg.

Men experiencing ED who use Avanafil pill experience improvements in erection quality at all dosages from 50mg to 200mg tablet.

There are a number of studies that show the success of Viagra as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.

The presence of sildenafil citrate in Viagra is contemplated as an effective and well-tolerated treatment for men suffering from ED disorder.

In short, it can be said that both Stendra and Viagra pills are effective in treating erectile dysfunction.

Also, they help enhance sexual performance by improving the quality of erection quickly.

Can Stendra or Viagra can cure Erectile dysfunction?

Ed medications like Stendra, Viagra, and Cialis do not cure Ed but may help treat this sexual problem. These drugs that belong to the class of PDE5 inhibitors help men get and maintain an erection under sexual stimulation. By inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme Stendra and Viagra increases blood flow to the penis. As a result, it helps in treating erectile dysfunction and helps you boost your sexual response.

Stendra vs. Viagra: Which medicine lasts for a long time?

It is necessary to first understand the concept of half-life, to know how long Stendra lasts and how it compares to the Viagra pill.

It is an objective measurement of how much medicine stays in the body or system. 

Terminal half-life lets you know how long a medicine takes to reach 50% of its top concentration in your blood.

If your body receives a low concentration then the effects of medication automatically start to wear off.

Terminal half-life in Stendra is increased slightly, but its difference is not noticeable greatly. 

Stendra comes with a half-life of 5 hours, while sildenafil, the generic name of the Viagra pill has only a half-life of 4 hours.

If one patient takes Stendra and the other consumes sildenafil at 6 pm then a man taking Stendra will sustain erection till 11 pm.

On the other hand, you will notice that the effects of Viagra begin to wear off around 10 pm.

Which ED pill comes with a few side effects?

When it comes to Stendra and Viagra pills, both come with similar side effects. But Stendra has a higher specificity to phosphodiesterase type 5, rate of side effects is generally lower.

Some common side effects of Viagra include headache, back pain, and nasal congestion. But they are not common in the Stendra pill. However, you can discuss the side effects of Stendra and Viagra with your doctor once before starting treatment.

Stendra vs. Viagra: Drug interactions

If we talk about the drug interactions of Stendra and Viagra, they are similar. Here are some medicines which have chances of Drug interactions with Stendra and Viagra:

  • Nitrates or recreational drugs like amyl nitrates or butyl nitrates also referred to as "poppers"

  • Alpha-blockers, or other blood pressure medications

  • Protease inhibitors

  • Riociguat (a medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension)

  • Other Pde5 inhibitors used to treat erectile dysfunction

  • Guanylate cyclase stimulant pills

Thus, both Stendra and Viagra are effective and safe treatments for ED. They both can give sexual satisfaction in less time.

Stendra vs. Viagra: Disease interactions

If you take Stendra(avanafil) or Viagra(Sildenafil) then there can be chances of its interactions with certain medical conditions. The disease interactions for both medications are similar and one must take caution if they suffer from health problems like-

  • Heart-related problems

  • Liver or kidney disease

  • low or High blood pressure problems

  • Bleeding disorders

  • Eye problems- retinitis pigmentosa, NAION, Sudden decrease in vision

  • Active stomach ulcer

  • Multiple myeloma

  • Sickle cell anemia

  • Priapism(erection that lasts longer than 4 hours or more also it can be painful)

  • Deformity of the penis, injury, or any surgery of the genital area

  • Restricted for sexual activity

Before you take any of this Ed medication make sure to disclose your medical history in front of your healthcare professional. They may suggest whether you should take these Ed pills or not. If not advised you should avoid taking them and seek other Ed treatments.

Precautions while taking Stendra or Viagra for ED

If you already take medications like Nitrates then it can be unsafe to take Viagra, Stendra, or any other ED drugs. The interactions with a PDE5 Inhibitor and nitrate can lower blood pressure which can be life-threatening. So make sure to discuss this with your healthcare provider before you start taking an Ed pill.

It is important to inform your doctor about all the other medications that you already take before you start taking an Ed pill. This will help them to prevent the chances of drug interactions and prevent the risk factors of interactions.

Stendra, Viagra, or other ED medications like generic Cialis(Tadalafil) may interact with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. So make sure to avoid eating or drinking grapefruit and its juice while taking any Ed medication.

Stendra(avanafil) or Viagra(Sildenafil) both are prescription-based medications, also take these Ed medications when prescribed for you. Take the directed dose and never disturb the dosage amount on your own. The dosage for the elderly and younger adults can vary so follow the instructions of your healthcare professional visely.

Final Lines

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is becoming a prevalent concern of most of the men. However, medications like Stendra and Viagra offer practical solutions. Stendra, which is a newly discovered Ed drug, works quickly and has lower side effects. Both medications enhance sexual performance by improving erection quality providing a quick response. While neither cures ED, they serve as reliable treatments for men facing ED. Stendra's slightly longer half-life offers sustained effects. Compared to other phosphodiesterase types 5, it has a reduced risk of side effects. And when it comes to Viagra it contains Sildenafil that provides results of 4 to 5 hours and boosts male sexual responses.
However, both medications share everyday drug interactions and disease precautions. Whether Stendra or Viagra, consult a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable option based on individual health and preferences.