Brand Name

Stendra

Generic Name
Avanafil
View Brand Information
FDA approval date: December 27, 2013
Classification: Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitor
Form: Tablet

What is Stendra (Avanafil)?

Avanafil tablets are a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult males. Avanafil tablet is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

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Brand Information

Stendra (avanafil)
1INDICATIONS AND USAGE
STENDRA is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult males.
2DOSAGE FORMS ANDSTRENGTHS
STENDRA (avanafil) is supplied as oval, pale yellow tablets containing 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg avanafil debossed with dosage strength.
3WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Evaluation of erectile dysfunction (ED) should include an appropriate medical assessment to identify potential underlying causes, as well as treatment options.
Before prescribing STENDRA, it is important to note the following:
3.1CardiovascularRisks
There is a potential for cardiac risk during sexual activity in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Therefore, treatments for ED, including STENDRA, should not be used in men for whom sexual activity is inadvisable because of their underlying cardiovascular status.
Patients with left ventricular outflow obstruction (e.g., aortic stenosis, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis) and those with severely impaired autonomic control of blood pressure can be particularly sensitive to the actions of vasodilators, including STENDRA.
The following groups of patients were not included in clinical safety and efficacy trials for STENDRA, and therefore until further information is available, STENDRA is not recommended for the following groups:
  • Patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction, stroke, life-threatening arrhythmia, or coronary revascularization within the last 6 months;
  • Patients with resting hypotension (blood pressure less than 90/50 mmHg) or hypertension (blood pressure greater than 170/100 mmHg);
  • Patients with unstable angina, angina with sexual intercourse, or New York Heart Association Class 2 or greater congestive heart failure.
As with other PDE5 inhibitors STENDRA has systemic vasodilatory properties and may augment the blood pressure-lowering effect of other anti-hypertensive medications. STENDRA 200 mg resulted in transient decreases in sitting blood pressure in healthy volunteers of 8.0 mmHg systolic and 3.3 mmHg diastolic
3.2Concomitant Use of CYP3A4 Inhibitors
STENDRA metabolism is principally mediated by the CYP450 isoform 3A4 (CYP3A4). Inhibitors of CYP3A4 may reduce STENDRA clearance and increase plasma concentrations of avanafil.
For patients taking concomitant strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (including ketoconazole, ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir and telithromycin), do not use STENDRA 
For patients taking concomitant moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (including erythromycin, amprenavir, aprepitant, diltiazem, fluconazole, fosamprenavir, and verapamil), the maximum recommended dose of STENDRA is 50 mg, not to exceed once every 24 hours
3.3Prolonged Erection
Prolonged erection greater than 4 hours and priapism (painful erections greater than 6 hours in duration) have been reported with other PDE5 inhibitors. In the event of an erection that persists longer than 4 hours, the patient should seek immediate medical assistance. If not treated immediately, penile tissue damage and permanent loss of potency could result.
STENDRA should be used with caution in patients with anatomical deformation of the penis (such as angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie’s disease), or in patients who have conditions which may predispose them to priapism (such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia).
3.4Effects on Eye
Physicians should advise patients to stop use of all PDE5 inhibitors, including STENDRA and seek medical attention in the event of a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. Such an event may be a sign of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare condition and a cause of decreased vision including permanent loss of vision that has been reported rarely postmarketing in temporal association with the use of all PDE5 inhibitors. Based on published literature, the annual incidence of NAION is 2.5-11.8 cases per 100,000 in males aged ≥ 50.
An observational case-crossover study evaluated the risk of NAION when PDE5 inhibitor use, as a class, occurred immediately before NAION onset (within 5 half-lives), compared to PDE5 inhibitor use in a prior time period. The results suggest an approximate 2-fold increase in the risk of NAION, with a risk estimate of 2.15 (95% CI 1.06, 4.34). A similar study reported a consistent result, with a risk estimate of 2.27 (95% CI 0.99, 5.20). Other risk factors for NAION, such as the presence of “crowded” optic disc, may have contributed to the occurrence of NAION in these studies.
Neither the rare postmarketing reports, nor the association of PDE5 inhibitor use and NAION in the observational studies, substantiate a causal relationship between PDE5 inhibitor use and NAION
Physicians should consider whether their patients with underlying NAION risk factors could be adversely affected by use of PDE5 inhibitors. Individuals who have already experienced NAION are at increased risk of NAION recurrence. Therefore, PDE5 inhibitors, including STENDRA should be used with caution in these patients and only when the anticipated benefits outweigh the risks. Individuals with “crowded” optic disc are also considered at greater risk for NAION compared to the general population; however, evidence is insufficient to support screening of prospective users of PDE5 inhibitors, including STENDRA, for this uncommon condition.
Patients with known hereditary degenerative retinal disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa, were not included in the clinical trials for STENDRA, and therefore, until further information is available, STENDRA is not recommended for use in these patients. 
3.5Sudden Hearing Loss
Use of PDE5 inhibitors has been associated with sudden decrease or loss of hearing, which may be accompanied by tinnitus or dizziness. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to the use of PDE5 inhibitors or to other factors
3.6Alpha-Blockers and Other Antihypertensives
Physicians should discuss with patients the potential for STENDRA to augment the blood pressure-lowering effect of alpha-blockers and other antihypertensive medications
Caution is advised when PDE5 inhibitors are co-administered with alpha-blockers. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, including STENDRA, and alpha-adrenergic blocking agents are both vasodilators with blood pressure-lowering effects. When vasodilators are used in combination, an additive effect on blood pressure may be anticipated. In some patients, concomitant use of these two drug classes can lower blood pressure significantly leading to symptomatic hypotension (e.g., dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting).
Consideration should be given to the following:
  • Patients should be stable on alpha-blocker therapy prior to initiating treatment with a PDE5 inhibitor. Patients who demonstrate hemodynamic instability on alpha-blocker therapy alone are at increased risk of symptomatic hypotension with concomitant use of PDE5 inhibitors.
  • In those patients who are stable on alpha-blocker therapy, PDE5 inhibitors should be initiated at the lowest dose (STENDRA 50 mg).
  • In those patients already taking an optimized dose of a PDE5 inhibitor, alpha-blocker therapy should be initiated at the lowest dose. Stepwise increase in alpha-blocker dose may be associated with further lowering of blood pressure when taking a PDE5 inhibitor.
Safety of combined use of PDE5 inhibitors and alpha-blockers may be affected by other variables, including intravascular volume depletion and other anti-hypertensive drugs
3.7Alcohol
Patients should be made aware that both alcohol and PDE5 inhibitors including STENDRA act as vasodilators. When vasodilators are taken in combination, blood-pressure-lowering effects of each individual compound may be increased. Therefore, physicians should inform patients that substantial consumption of alcohol (e.g., greater than 3 units) in combination with STENDRA may increase the potential for orthostatic signs and symptoms, including increase in heart rate, decrease in standing blood pressure, dizziness, and headache
3.8Combination with Other PDE5 Inhibitors or Erectile Dysfunction Therapies
The safety and efficacy of combinations of STENDRA with other treatments for ED has not been studied. Therefore, the use of such combinations is not recommended.
3.9Effects on Bleeding
The safety of STENDRA is unknown in patients with bleeding disorders and patients with active peptic ulceration.
3.10Counseling Patients about Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The use of STENDRA offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Counseling patients about the protective measures necessary to guard against sexually transmitted diseases, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), should be considered.
4OVERDOSAGE
Single doses up to 800 mg have been given to healthy subjects, and multiple doses up to 300 mg have been given to patients. In cases of overdose, standard supportive measures should be adopted as required. Renal dialysis is not expected to accelerate clearance because avanafil is highly bound to plasma proteins and is not significantly eliminated in the urine.
5DESCRIPTION
STENDRA (avanafil) is a selective inhibitor of cGMP-specific PDE5.
Avanafil is designated chemically as (S)-4-[(3-Chloro-4-methoxybenzyl)amino]-2-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl]-
Avanafil occurs as white crystalline powder, molecular formula C23H26ClN7O3 and molecular weight of 483.95 and is slightly soluble in ethanol, practically insoluble in water, soluble in 0.1 mol/L hydrochloric acid. STENDRA, for oral administration, is supplied as oval, pale yellow tablets containing 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg avanafil debossed with dosage strengths. In addition to the active ingredient, avanafil, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: mannitol, fumaric acid, hydroxypropylcellulose, low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, calcium carbonate, magnesium stearate, and ferric oxide yellow.
6CLINICAL STUDIES
STENDRA was evaluated in four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trials of 2 to 3 months in duration. STENDRA was taken as needed at doses of 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg (Study 1) and 100 mg and 200 mg (Study 2, Study 3 and Study 4). Patients were instructed to take 1 dose of study drug approximately 30 minutes (Study 1 and Study 2) or approximately 15 minutes (Study 4) prior to initiation of sexual activity. Food and alcohol intake was not restricted.
In addition, a subset of patients from 2 of these trials were enrolled into an open-label extension trial. In the open-label extension trial, all eligible patients were initially assigned to avanafil 100 mg. At any point during the trial, patients could request to have their dose of avanafil increased to 200 mg or decreased to 50 mg based on their individual response to treatment.
The 3 primary outcome measures in Studies 1, 2 and 3 were the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Questions 2 and 3 from Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP). The IIEF is a 4-week recall questionnaire that was administered at baseline and at 4-week intervals during treatment. The IIEF erectile function domain has a 30-point total score, where the higher scores reflect better erectile function. The SEP included diary-based measures of erectile function. Patients recorded information regarding each sexual attempt made throughout the trial. Question 2 of the SEP asks "Were you able to insert your penis into your partners vagina?" Question 3 of the SEP asks "Did your erection last long enough for you to have successful intercourse?"
In Study 4, the primary efficacy variable was the per-subject proportion of sexual attempts that had an erectogenic effect within approximately 15 minutes following dosing, where an erectogenic effect was defined as an erection sufficient for vaginal penetration and that enabled satisfactory completion of sexual intercourse.
Results are shown from the three, Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel studies, one in the general ED population (Study 1), another in the diabetic population with ED (Study 2), and another in the radical prostatectomy population (Study 3).
Results in the General ED Population (Study 1):
STENDRA was evaluated in 646 men with ED of various etiologies (organic, psychogenic, mixed), in a randomized, double-blinded, parallel, placebo controlled fixed dose trial of 3 months duration. The mean age was 55.7 years (range 23 to 88 years). The population was 85.6% White, 13.2% Black, 0.9% Asian, and 0.3% of other races. The mean duration of ED was approximately 6.5 years. STENDRA at doses of 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg demonstrated statistically significant improvement in all 3 primary efficacy variables relative to placebo (see Table 7).
Results in the ED Population with Diabetes Mellitus (Study 2)
STENDRA was evaluated in ED patients (n=390) with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus in a randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled fixed dose trial of 3 months in duration. The mean age was 58 years (range 30 to 78 years). The population was 80.5% White, 17.2% Black, 1.5% Asian, and 0.8% of other races. The mean duration of ED was approximately 6 years. In this trial, STENDRA at doses of 100 mg and 200 mg demonstrated statistically significant improvement in all 3 primary efficacy variables as measured by the erectile function domain of the IIEF questionnaire; SEP2 and SEP3 (see Table 8).
Results in the ED Population following Radical Prostatectomy (Study 3)
The efficacy of STENDRA was evaluated in Study 3 (
Time to Onset of Effect (Study 4)
STENDRA was evaluated in 440 subjects with ED including diabetics (16.4%) and subjects with severe ED (41.4%) in a randomized double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study of 2 months duration. The mean age was 58.2 years (range 24 to 86 years). The population was 75.7% White, 21.4% Black, 1.6% Asian, and 1.4% of other races. Subjects were encouraged to attempt intercourse approximately 15 minutes after dosing and used a stopwatch for measurement of time to onset of effect, defined as the time to the first occurrence of an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.
STENDRA 100 mg and 200 mg demonstrated statistically significant improvements relative to placebo in the primary efficacy variable, percentage of all attempts resulting in an erection sufficient for penetration at approximately 15 minutes after dosing followed by successful intercourse (SEP3) (see Table 10).
*comparison to placebo using rank-ANCOVA model.
7HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING
STENDRA (avanafil) is supplied as oval, pale yellow tablets containing 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg avanafil debossed with dosage strengths.
Recommended Storage: Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F); excursions permitted, 15-30°C (59-86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Protect from light.
8PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (
8.1Nitrates
Physicians should discuss with patients the contraindication of STENDRA with regular and/or intermittent use of organic nitrates. Patients should be counseled that concomitant use of STENDRA with nitrates could cause blood pressure to suddenly drop to an unsafe level, resulting in dizziness, syncope, or even heart attack or stroke.
Physicians should discuss with patients the appropriate action in the event that they experience anginal chest pain requiring nitroglycerin following intake of STENDRA. In such a patient, who has taken STENDRA, where nitrate administration is deemed medically necessary in a life-threatening situation, at least 12 hours should elapse after the last dose of STENDRA before nitrate administration is considered. In such circumstances, nitrates should still only be administered under close medical supervision with appropriate hemodynamic monitoring. Patients who experience anginal chest pain after taking STENDRA should seek immediate medical attention
8.2Cardiovascular Considerations
Physicians should discuss with patients the potential cardiac risk of sexual activity in patients with preexisting cardiovascular risk factors. Patients who experience symptoms upon initiation of sexual activity should be advised to refrain from further sexual activity and should seek immediate medical attention
8.3Concomitant Use with Drugs Which Lower Blood Pressure
Physicians should advise patients of the potential for STENDRA to augment the blood pressure-lowering effect of alpha-blockers and other antihypertensive medications
8.4Potential for Drug Interactions
Patients should be advised to contact the prescribing physician if new medications that may interact with STENDRA are prescribed by another healthcare provider.
8.5Priapism
There have been rare reports of prolonged erections greater than 4 hours and priapism (painful erections greater than 6 hours in duration) for this class of compounds. Priapism, if not treated promptly, can result in irreversible damage to the erectile tissue. Physicians should advise patients who have an erection lasting greater than 4 hours, whether painful or not, to seek emergency medical attention.
8.6Vision
Physicians should advise patients to stop use of all PDE5 inhibitors, including STENDRA, and seek medical attention in the event of a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. Such an event may be a sign of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a cause of decreased vision including permanent loss of vision that has been reported rarely in temporal association with the use of PDE5 inhibitors. Physicians should discuss with patients the increased risk of NAION in individuals who have already experienced NAION in one eye. Physicians should also discuss with patients the increased risk of NAION among the general population in patients with a “crowded” optic disc, although evidence is insufficient to support screening of prospective users of PDE5 inhibitor, including STENDRA, for these uncommon conditions
8.7Sudden Hearing Loss
Physicians should advise patients to stop taking PDE5 inhibitors, including STENDRA, and seek prompt medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing. Use of PDE5 inhibitors has been associated with sudden decrease or loss of hearing, which may be accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to the use of PDE5 inhibitors or to other factors
8.8Alcohol
Patients should be made aware that both alcohol and PDE5 inhibitors including STENDRA act as mild vasodilators. When mild vasodilators are taken in combination, blood pressure-lowering effects of each individual compound may be increased. Therefore, physicians should inform patients that substantial consumption of alcohol (e.g., greater than 3 units) in combination with STENDRA can increase the potential for orthostatic signs and symptoms, including increase in heart rate, decrease in standing blood pressure, dizziness, and headache
8.9Sexually Transmitted Disease
The use of STENDRA offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Counseling of patients about the protective measures necessary to guard against sexually transmitted diseases, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) should be considered.
8.10Recommended Administration
Physicians should discuss with patients the appropriate use of STENDRA and its anticipated benefits. It should be explained that sexual stimulation is required for an erection to occur after taking STENDRA. Patients should be counseled regarding the dosing of STENDRA. Inform patients that the recommended starting dose of STENDRA is 100 mg, taken as early as approximately 15 minutes before initiation of sexual activity. Based on efficacy and tolerability, the dose may be increased to 200 mg taken as early as approximately 15 minutes before sexual activity, or decreased to 50 mg taken approximately 30 minutes before sexual activity. The lowest dose that provides benefit should be used. Patients should be advised to contact their healthcare provider for dose modification.
8.11Guanylate Cyclase (GC) Stimulators
Physicians should discuss with patients the contraindication of STENDRA with use of guanylate cyclase stimulators such as riociguat or vericiguat 
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