Spedra Tablets

Timing matters. For some men, the 30 to 60 minutes between taking a tablet and sexual activity can feel awkward or take the spontaneity out of the moment. Spedra was developed specifically to address that. Spedra contains avanafil, a selective PDE5 inhibitor licensed in the UK for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult men. It is the most recently approved PDE5 inhibitor available in the UK by prescription, and its standout clinical characteristic is speed: it can begin to work in as little as 15 minutes in some men. Available in 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg strengths, Spedra is taken on demand before anticipated sexual activity. At Pharmacy Planet, a registered prescriber can assess whether Spedra may be clinically appropriate for you through our regulated online consultation service.

Spedra is the only branded prescription medicine in the UK that contains avanafil as its active ingredient. Avanafil is a third-generation PDE5 inhibitor and was approved in the UK after sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil. It was designed with a focus on speed of onset and selectivity, and it is the only PDE5 inhibitor in the UK licensed for use as little as 15 minutes before sexual activity.

Like all PDE5 inhibitors, Spedra is taken on demand before sexual activity rather than every day. What sets it apart within the on-demand class is the dosing window. Older PDE5 inhibitors carry a recommended lead time of 30 to 60 minutes. Spedra is licensed for use from 15 minutes before activity, which gives men a shorter, more natural gap between taking the tablet and being ready.

Unlike some other PDE5 inhibitors, Spedra is a branded medicine only — there is currently no generic avanafil licensed in the UK. All three strengths are manufactured to MHRA standards and reflect the licensed UK SmPC.

Spedra is available in three strengths:

• 50 mg — the recommended starting dose for most men
• 100 mg — may be considered if 50 mg does not provide adequate benefit
• 200 mg — the maximum licensed dose

To understand what makes Spedra different, it helps to understand what all PDE5 inhibitors are doing and where avanafil diverges from its predecessors.

When a man is sexually aroused, the body releases nitric oxide in the erectile tissue of the penis. This triggers a chain reaction that produces a molecule called cGMP, which relaxes smooth muscle in the blood vessels and allows blood to flow into the penis, producing an erection. PDE5 is the enzyme responsible for breaking down cGMP — and in men with erectile dysfunction, it does so too quickly or too aggressively, cutting off the erection before it fully develops.

Avanafil blocks PDE5, preserving cGMP and allowing the erection process to continue. What makes avanafil clinically distinct is how quickly it gets to work. Its chemical structure allows it to bind to PDE5 rapidly and it is absorbed into the bloodstream faster than older PDE5 inhibitors. It also has a high degree of selectivity for PDE5 over other phosphodiesterase enzymes, including PDE6 in the retina and PDE11 in the testes. Less interaction with those enzymes is why some men find avanafil better tolerated than earlier options, though individual experience varies.

Spedra does not produce an erection on its own. Sexual stimulation is still required. The difference is that when that moment arrives, Spedra has often already done its work.

Always take Spedra exactly as directed by your prescriber and as described in the Patient Information Leaflet. The following reflects standard guidance from the current UK SmPC.

Timing and administration

Take one Spedra tablet approximately 15 to 30 minutes before anticipated sexual activity. The tablet can be taken with or without food. Swallow it whole with water.

A high-fat meal may slow the absorption of avanafil slightly and delay the onset of effect, though this interaction is less marked than with some other PDE5 inhibitors. A light meal is unlikely to cause a significant delay.

Do not take more than one tablet in any 24-hour period.

What to avoid

• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice — these inhibit the enzyme that metabolises avanafil and can raise plasma levels, increasing the risk of side effects
• Nitrate medicines in any form — this combination is absolutely contraindicated due to the risk of severe hypotension
• Recreational nitrite inhalants (poppers) — carry the same serious risk as prescribed nitrates
• Other PDE5 inhibitors — do not take Spedra alongside other ED medicines
• Excessive alcohol — can lower blood pressure and reduce the effectiveness of treatment

Spedra is available in three strengths at Pharmacy Planet, subject to prescriber approval following a clinical consultation.

Spedra 50 mg

The 50 mg tablet is the recommended starting dose for most adult men. Your prescriber will assess whether this strength is appropriate based on your medical history, current medicines, and relevant health conditions. This is also the recommended starting dose for men with mild to moderate liver impairment and for men taking moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors.

Spedra 100 mg

The 100 mg tablet may be considered if the 50 mg dose does not provide adequate clinical benefit after a fair trial, subject to prescriber assessment of tolerability and safety.

Spedra 200 mg

The 200 mg tablet is the maximum licensed dose. It is considered when lower doses have not provided sufficient benefit. As with any medicine, a higher dose is associated with a higher potential for side effects. It should only be taken under prescriber direction.

Do not adjust your dose without first speaking to your prescriber. The recommended maximum is one tablet per 24-hour period at any strength.

Like all medicines, Spedra can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. The information below reflects the current UK SmPC for avanafil. Read the full Patient Information Leaflet for a complete list.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Headache
• Flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling in the skin)
• Nasal congestion
• Dizziness
• Back pain

Serious side effects; seek immediate medical attention

• Sudden decrease or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden decrease or complete loss of hearing, with or without ringing in the ears or dizziness
• An erection lasting longer than four hours (priapism) — a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to prevent permanent damage
• Severe chest pain, particularly during or after sexual activity
• Signs of severe allergic reaction — swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing

Drug interactions

Spedra has several clinically important drug interactions. Disclose all current medicines during the consultation, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, and supplements.

• Nitrates — absolutely contraindicated. This combination can cause severe and potentially fatal hypotension.
• Recreational nitrite inhalants (poppers) — carry the same risk as prescribed nitrates.
• Alpha blockers — may cause blood pressure to fall too low when combined with Spedra. Caution and prescriber assessment are required.
• Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (including ritonavir, ketoconazole, and itraconazole) — these significantly raise plasma levels of avanafil. Spedra must not be taken alongside potent CYP3A4 inhibitors.
• Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (including erythromycin and fluconazole) — the maximum dose of Spedra is 100 mg per 24-hour period when taken alongside these medicines.
• Other PDE5 inhibitors — do not take Spedra alongside other ED medicines.

Contraindications

Spedra must not be taken by men who:

• Are taking nitrates in any form, including recreational nitrite inhalants
• Are taking potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, or itraconazole
• Have severe cardiovascular disease, including recent heart attack or stroke, or unstable angina
• Have severe liver impairment (Child-Pugh Class C)
• Have a known hereditary degenerative retinal disorder such as retinitis pigmentosa
• Have previously experienced loss of vision due to non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
• Have uncontrolled high or very low blood pressure
• Are under 18 years of age

Spedra is licensed for use in adult men aged 18 and over with erectile dysfunction. It is not indicated for use in women or children.

Spedra may be a clinically relevant option for men who:

• Want a fast-acting on-demand treatment and prefer not to take a tablet 30 to 60 minutes in advance
• Have not responded adequately to other PDE5 inhibitors and wish to try a different option, subject to prescriber assessment
• Are looking for an on-demand PDE5 inhibitor with a high selectivity profile

Spedra may be less appropriate for men taking medicines that inhibit CYP3A4, men with significant cardiovascular disease, or men with severe liver impairment. A prescriber will carry out an individual clinical assessment before issuing any prescription.

Because different men respond differently to different PDE5 inhibitors, a prescriber may discuss whether Spedra or another licensed option better suits your individual circumstances.

The consultation is the essential first step. Pharmacy Planet operates a GPhC-regulated online clinical consultation service. A prescription is a possible outcome of a completed consultation, not a guaranteed one. A registered prescriber will only issue a prescription if they determine that Spedra is clinically appropriate and safe for you as an individual.

The process works as follows:

1. Complete the secure online consultation. You will be asked about your medical history, cardiovascular health, current medicines, and the symptoms you are experiencing. Please answer all questions fully and accurately.
2. Your responses will be reviewed by a registered prescriber, who may contact you for additional information if needed.
3. If the prescriber determines that Spedra is clinically appropriate for you, a valid prescription will be issued. If it is not deemed suitable, you will be informed and, where appropriate, directed to your GP or alternative care.
4. If a prescription is issued, your medicine will be dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy and dispatched in discreet, secure packaging.

All prescribers working with Pharmacy Planet are registered with the appropriate UK regulatory body. Our pharmacy is registered with and regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

Store Spedra tablets below 30°C in their original packaging, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use tablets after the expiry date on the packaging. Return unused or expired medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not dispose of medicines via household waste or by flushing them down the toilet.

All six ED tablets available through Pharmacy Planet belong to the same class of medicine — PDE5 inhibitors. They share the same underlying mechanism but differ in speed of action, how long they last, and how they are taken. The table below compares commonly prescribed erectile dysfunction tablets to help you understand your options before speaking to a prescriber.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy committed to providing safe, clinically governed access to prescription medicines. We understand that erectile dysfunction is a personal matter, and we aim to make the consultation and prescribing process as straightforward and dignified as possible.

Our service allows you to access a clinical consultation from home, without needing to attend a GP surgery or physical pharmacy. Every consultation is reviewed by a qualified, registered prescriber. No prescription is issued without a genuine clinical assessment.

All medicines dispensed by Pharmacy Planet are sourced from licensed UK suppliers and meet MHRA quality standards. We do not supply unlicensed medicines or products from outside the regulated UK supply chain. Our pharmacy team is available to answer questions about your treatment, your prescription, or the consultation process.

1. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). Spedra 50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg film-coated tablets — Summary of Product Characteristics. medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
2. NHS. Erectile dysfunction (impotence). nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction. Accessed May 2026.
3. British National Formulary (BNF). Avanafil. bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/avanafil. Accessed May 2026.
4. MHRA. Avanafil (Spedra): product information. gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agency. Accessed May 2026.