Treatment options to suit you and your needs
FIND OUT MORE
Discover how Spedra can help treat erectile dysfunction
Spedra is an oral medication which can help men who struggle with erectile dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction is the term used to describe the difficulty of getting and maintaining an erection when taking part in sexual activity.
Spedra doesn’t cause men to become sexually aroused, and will only work if you’re already sexually stimulated. It’s important to understand that while Spedra can help treat the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, it isn’t a cure for the condition.
The active ingredient in Spedra is avanafil. Spedra can begin to work within 15-30 minutes of taking the tablet, making it a fast-acting medication for men suffering from ED.
How does Spedra work?
Belonging to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, Spedra works by helping the blood vessels in your penis to relax. This increases the blood flow into your penis, helping it to become and stay erect when sexually aroused.
It’s important to know that certain factors might impact how effectively Spedra works. Spedra can be taken with or without food, but eating a large meal before taking your Spedra dosage can delay the effect of the medication. Grapefruit juice can also have an effect on how the medicine works, so avoid drinking this within 24 hours of taking the tablet.
You shouldn’t take Spedra with alcohol as it can lower your ability to get an erection. Taking Spedra with alcohol is also dangerous as it can lead to a significant drop in blood pressure. This can cause problems such as headaches, dizziness and heart palpitations, so it’s very important not to take the two together.
Who is Spedra suitable for?
Spedra is an erectile dysfunction treatment for men aged 18 and over, and mustn’t be used by women or children. Spedra isn’t suitable for men who have any of the below conditions:
• An allergy to avanafil or any other ingredients used in this medicine
• Heart problems
• Recently suffered a stroke or heart attack
• Liver or kidney problems
Spedra shouldn’t be taken if you’re currently using any medication for angina (chest pain) containing nitrates such as glyceryl trinitrate, as Spedra can increase the effects of these medicines and severely lower your blood pressure. Before prescribing Spedra, an online clinician or a GP will always ask you a series of questions about your health and lifestyle choices to make sure the medicine is suitable for you.
Some medication can interact with Spedra or affect how well it works. A full breakdown of medicines that shouldn’t be taken with Spedra can be found in the patient information leaflet.
How do I access Spedra?
Spedra, in addition to a wide variety of other oral ED treatments, is available through the Boots Online Doctor – Erectile Dysfunction service.*
What Spedra strengths are available?
There are currently three strengths of Spedra available through our ED online doctor service: 50mg, 100mg and 200mg. If you’ve never used our service before and it’s suitable for you, you could be prescribed the starter dose of Spedra 100mg.
Spedra 50mg
The lowest Spedra strength available is 50mg. This strength may be considered for men who experience side effects with the 100mg starter dose.
Spedra 100mg
Spedra 100mg is the standard starter dose for men who are new to the drug.
Spedra 200mg
The highest strength of Spedra available is 200mg. You may be prescribed the 200mg strength if the starter dose of 100mg doesn’t help you to achieve an erection hard enough for intercourse.
What are the possible side effects of taking Spedra?
As with all medicines, there can be potential side effects to taking Spedra. While not everyone will experience them, it’s important that you know what they are so you’re prepared before you take the medication. Most side effects you may get from taking Spedra tend to be mild to moderate. The most common side effects of Spedra, which one in 10 people may experience, are:
• Headache
• Flushing
• Nasal congestion
For a full breakdown of side effects associated with Spedra, please read the patient information leaflet.
How do I take Spedra?
You should take Spedra around 30 minutes before you have sex if you’re taking the 50mg strength, or approximately 15-30 minutes before intercourse if you’re taking a 100mg or 200mg strength. Spedra can be taken with or without food, but may take longer to work if you’ve eaten a high-fat meal beforehand.
Spedra should start to work within 15-30 minutes, but this can vary from person to person. The effects of Spedra can last up to five hours, meaning if you’re sexually aroused within this timeframe and if it works for you, you’ll be able to get and maintain an erection. Once you’ve had sex, the erection should go away.
Spedra must only be taken once a day. Please be aware that taking more than your Spedra dosage a day will not cause Spedra to work any better and, if anything, it can actually result in an increase of side effects. In the situation that you have or think you may have taken more than your prescribed dose of Spedra, contact your doctor or call 111 straight away.
What if Spedra doesn’t work for me?
If you find that Spedra hasn’t worked for you on the first occasion, this doesn’t mean that it won’t work for you at all. If it doesn’t work after eight separate attempts, you could consider going up a strength (if suitable for you) to see if a higher Spedra dose might work for you, or choose an alternative oral ED treatment. Other oral ED treatments can be accessed through the Boots Online Doctor – Erectile Dysfunction service*, including Viagra, Sildenafil, Cialis and Tadalafil.
If you’d like more information about the different erectile dysfunction treatments available, visit the Boots Online Doctor – Erectile Dysfunction service.*
