ProductName

Go to
Medically reviewed by
Mr Craig Marsh
Independent Prescriber
on Aug 30, 2024.
Meet Craig  
Craig

Last updated on Aug 30, 2024.

Was this article useful?

How do they work?

Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil, while Spedra contains avanafil, both of which are PDE5 inhibitors. In a normal erection, nitric oxide (NO) is released, which leads to a chain reaction involving the release of cGMP. This causes the smooth muscles in the penis to relax, so blood can flow into the corpora cavernosa (penis tissue), resulting in an erection.  

However in ED this process is disrupted. The culprit is often restricted blood flow into the penis caused by physiological problems. 

PDE5 inhibitors help treat ED by boosting the effects of NO. By inhibiting PDE5, it prevents the breakdown of cGMP, causing the smooth muscles in the penis to relax for longer. When you’re sexually stimulated, blood will flow into the penis, resulting in an erection.   

While both Viagra and Spedra can help you get an erection, they’ll only work if you’re sexually stimulated. Additionally, if your ED is caused by psychological issues, like depression or anxiety, there’s a chance ED medications won’t help. 

Which is the most effective?

To determine whether Spedra or Viagra is more effective, several factors have to be considered, like onset of action, duration and success rates.

Onset of action

Spedra can work approximately 50% faster than Viagra.

Spedra 100mg and 200mg start working in around 15 to 30 minutes, whereas Spedra 50mg takes a little longer (about 30 minutes) to kick in. To be on the safe side, it’s generally best to take Spedra 30 minutes before you plan to have sex.

Viagra, on the other hand, takes about 30 to 60 minutes to start working, regardless of the dose. It’s best to take Viagra one hour before you plan to have sex.

It’s also worth noting that some things can delay onset of action for both Viagra and Spedra. Consuming a high-fat meal, for example, can slow the rate of absorption, meaning it will take longer for both drugs to kick in. For Spedra, the onset of action may be delayed to 75-105 minutes instead of the usual 15-30 minutes. And for Viagra, the onset may be delayed to 90-120 minutes rather than 30-60 minutes.

Duration of action

Spedra can last longer at up to 6 hours, compared to Viagra’s 4-5 hours .

Even though the effects may only last up to 6 hours, you shouldn't take more than one pill in 24 hours. That’s because both drugs remain in the bloodstream for around 24 hours, even after their effects have worn off. Taking more than one pill in a day may cause overdose side effects. And with Spedra, some medications can prolong its half-life, so you might even need to wait 48 hours before taking another pill. Speak to your clinician if you’re worried about how Spedra might interact with other treatments you’re taking.

Success rates

In a study comparing avanafil (Spedra) to sildenafil (Viagra), avanafil was found to be more effective. Participants using avanafil reported improved sexual desire, erectile function and higher levels of overall satisfaction. Avanafil was also found to cause slightly less side effects (9.9% of avanafil users experienced side effects compared to 11.0% of sildenafil users).

In another study, results showed that up to 71% of sexual attempts were successful with avanafil within 15 minutes of dosing. This success rate increased to 83% after six hours.

But this doesn't mean Viagra isn’t effective. In a 4-year study involving 979 participants, approximately 96% of them reported improved function in sexual activity with Viagra, and only 1.1% of them discontinued due to side effects.

What’s the price difference between Spedra and Viagra?

Spedra is around £4 cheaper than Viagra. For four tablets, Spedra costs roughly £35 and Viagra £39. Although the prices can vary depending on where you get them from.

Spedra’s lower cost doesn’t mean it’s lower quality, though. The difference in price can be caused by a lot of things, such as the cost of ingredients or the manufacturing process.

As Viagra has been around for a while, there are now generic versions, which tend to be a lot cheaper. Generic Sildenafil can cost almost half the price of branded Viagra at approximately £20 for four tablets. Generic medicines should work in the same way and be just as effective as branded treatments. .

Unfortunately, there are no generic versions of Spedra. At the moment, there’s a patent on the active ingredient avanafil, stopping other companies from making treatments containing it. This patent is expected to end in April 2025. This means that generic versions of Spedra could potentially be available shortly after this date.

Will I get side effects?

There’s a higher chance of getting side effects with Viagra than with Spedra.

Since both treatments are PDE5 inhibitors, they share a few of the side effects, such as headache and flushing. However, the differences in ingredients could lead to some variation.

You’re less likely to experience side effects with Spedra because avanafil has a higher selectivity for PDE5. In simpler terms, it works where it needs to work and is unlikely to interact with other chemicals in the body. Additionally, because of this precision binding, you might achieve similar results with a lower dose. Using a lower dose further reduces the chances of side effects.

On the other hand, Viagra interacts with other chemicals in the body including PDE6 and PDE1. These interactions can affect your vision, causing visual disturbances. But overall, it’s well tolerated amongst most men.

Common side effects of Spedra include:

  • Headache
  • Flushing
  • Nasal congestion

In the clinical trials with 712 people, Spedra was well tolerated with 12% experiencing side effects (most of which were mild) and less than 3% discontinuing treatment due to side effects.

Common side effects of Viagra include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Facial flushing
  • Hot flush
  • Indigestion
  • Colour tinge to vision
  • Blurred vision
  • Visual disturbance
  • Stuffy nose
  • Dizziness

For the full list of side effects, check the patient information leaflet.

What are the different dosages for Spedra and Viagra?

Both Spedra and Viagra come in three doses. Spedra is available in 50mg, 100mg, and 200mg and Viagra is available in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg.

You’ll generally start on the lowest or median dose first, but if there are no improvements in your ED after a few attempts, your clinician may recommend increasing it to the next dose.

Alternatives to Spedra and Viagra

If you prefer an alternative to Viagra and Spedra, there are plenty of options to choose from. Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) are two oral tablets in the PED5 category. Tablets may not be effective for everyone; some people may require a stronger treatment, such as Caverject — an injectable ED treatment. And adopting a healthy lifestyle, involving regular exercise and a well-balanced diet, can benefit some men with ED.

If you’re struggling with ED, get in touch with our clinician and they’ll recommend the best treatments for you.

Reference Popover #ref1
Reference Popover #ref2
Reference Popover #ref3
Reference Popover #ref4
Reference Popover #ref5
Reference Popover #ref6
Reference Popover #ref7
Reference Popover #ref8
Reference Popover #ref9
Reference Popover #ref10
Reference Popover #ref11
Reference Popover #ref12
Reference Popover #ref13
This page was medically reviewed by Mr Craig Marsh, Independent Prescriber on Aug 30, 2024. Next review due on Aug 30, 2027.

Last updated on Aug 30, 2024.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Let’s help you choose better.

Tell us what you’re looking for
I'm looking for
Popular searches:
WegovyViagraFinasterideVareniclineMounjaro

Tell us about a problem

Accept the terms of use terms of use

What did you like about it?

What didn't you like about it?