A new erectile dysfunction therapy, a pill that goes by the name of Stendra, was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration on Friday 27 April 2012.

Stendra, which has already been approved by the European Medicines Agency, is going to be marketed by the pharmaceutical developer Vivus, who have bought a nearly world-wide license for the pill from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma. Mitsubishi Tanabe retains its license only the Asia-Pacific region.

Stendra like its more famous competitors Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, is a PDE-5 inhibitor, meaning that it works by preventing the enzyme PDE-5 from breaking down the chemicals that allow smooth muscle relaxation and healthy blood flow into the penis.

What makes Stendra interesting despite, at first glance, appearing to be more of the same is that, whereas other medicines inhibit several different PDE-enzymes, Stendra has proven much more effective than its competitors at concentrating its activity on the erection-impairing PDE-5.

Stendra may also be quicker to act.

Although the FDA approval states that Stendra should be taken 30 minutes before intercourse at the lowest possible dose, full effectiveness has been reported in trials as quickly as 15 minutes after taking the pill.

Since the largest competitor of Stendra, Viagra, requires a full 30 minutes for effectiveness, 15 minutes would be a significant improvement.


New Avanafil Works In 15 minutes Compared To Cialis And Viagra Taking 30.

Dr. Bruce Kava, Chairman of Urololgy at the University of Miami School of Medicine, has argued that the quickness with which Stendra acts is its only real advantage, indicating perhaps that there is no true health benefit to better targeting of PDE-5.

"The question," he continued, "is whether there are any advantages to a more rapid onset." Regardless of whether there is a medical advantage to a quick acting drug, it cannot be a bad thing that men have a greater option of drugs to suit their individual needs and preferences.

In terms of side-effects, Stendra joins the ranks of its competitors Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. Because this new drug works in much the same way, it has the same kind of side-effects.

The most common symptoms are similar to the common cold. They include nasal congestion, flushing, headaches and back pain.


But, Stendra also comes with the more sinister PDE-5 inhibitor side-effects reported from time to time in the media.

Like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, Stendra can cause, in very rare cases, changes to vision, such as changed color perception and sudden blindness.

Decreased hearing and sudden deafness have also been reported. Anyone who experiences such side-effects should, of course, immediately stop taking the drug - although the damage might already have been done.


Priapism is another rare side-effect: an erection which lasts for hours without subsiding, becoming painful. "If this happens, patients should seek immediate medical care," stated the U.S. FDA.

Men who take nitrate medications also need to be cautious of Stendra, as the combination may lead to a sudden blood pressure drop. Of course, the doctor who prescribes Stendra should be aware of this and warn the patient about the contraindication.

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