Stendra and Alcohol: What You Need to Know

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 1 year ago · 4 min read

Erectile dysfunction or ED is a common problem for many men. With so many ED drugs on the market, it is not surprising that many men turn to Stendra as a treatment option. However, there is one thing you need to know about this medication. You may need to limit your alcohol consumption if you take this drug.

According to Drugs.com, Stendra has the ability to lower your blood pressure. Low blood pressure is a side effect of this medication. Consuming alcohol can cause your blood pressure to fall to dangerously low levels. When you consume alcohol, this side effect can be exacerbated, often resulting in symptoms, such as lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting. You may also experience heart palpitations and headaches. 

While alcohol is not prohibited for those taking Stendra, experts recommend limiting your alcohol consumption to three drinks. You can experience side effects like these if you consume certain foods. You should not drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication. Doing so can enhance the side effects of Stendra. If you consume large amounts of alcohol on this drug, you should scale back on how much alcohol you drink. Drinking “more than three glasses of wine or three shots of whiskey” has the potential to cause significant problems.  

Consuming alcohol while taking Stendra can cause increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and can increase the severity of Stendra’s side effects. An increased heart rate is also known as tachycardia. Additional and severe side effects of this medication are possible and include sudden hearing loss, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, and passing out. Those taking Stendra may also experience shortness of breath, pain during an erection, or a penile erection that lasts more than four hours. Consuming too much alcohol on this medication can increase your chances of developing serious side effects. Stendra should be taken no more than once per day. This medication can cause a number of other serious side effects, including tunnel vision, eye pain, and blurred vision.

It is important to be aware of the effects of alcohol, because overconsumption can cause a sudden decrease in hearing. Other similar medications have been linked to the same side effects. However, these types of ED drugs remain quite popular. For this reason, it is important to consult your doctor to make sure you are making the proper lifestyle changes for this drug to be effective and not a detriment to your health. 

According to PubMed, Stendra is typically prescribed in 50, 100, and 200 milligram doses. Studies have found Stendra to be more effective in treating ED than placebos that were dispensed during clinical studies. Studies have found that roughly 15 to 30 million American men suffer from ED, a condition in which men have a hard time getting and maintaining an erection. That is one of the reasons why ED drugs, such as Stendra, have become so popular.

Also known generically as Avanafil, Stendra was developed during the 2000s and was released to the public in April of 2012. Stendra is a PDE 5 inhibitor, which means it causes blood vessels to dilate in the lungs and penis. This can lead to better and sustainable erections. To be diagnosed with ED, a man must experience ED symptoms for a total of three months. 

How can one enjoy alcohol and take this medication at the same time? Stendra has a half-life of roughly nine hours. According to WebMD, you should take Stendra by mouth with or without food. Food does not impact Stendra’s overall effectiveness. Your doctor will be to advise of what is best for your situation. You can request an informational leaflet about this drug from your pharmacist. This leaflet provides information you need to know before you begin taking this medication. 

You can request this leaflet when you get a refill as well. While it’s important to know the dangers of consuming alcohol while taking Stendra, you should also be aware that Stendra does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, herpes, and HIV. To avoid the transmission of such infections, it is important to use a barrier method of birth control, such as dental dams and condoms during sexual activity. Experts recommend taking this medication 15 minutes before you become sexually active. 

A total of 256 prescription drugs interact with Stendra. With that in mind, it is also important to research other drugs you are taking to see if these may cause interactions. According to experts, 56 medications cause major interactions, while 198 medications can cause moderate interactions. Two prescriptions cause interactions, when taken in conjunction with Stendra. Medications that cause negative interactions include drugs such as Metformin, Cialis, and Zyrtec. Viagra, another ED drug, can also interact with Stendra. Taking Viagra while on this drug can lead to flushing, headaches, heart palpitations, and potentially priapism. Priapism is a painful and continuing erection.

You should talk to your doctor if you experience any of these side effects while taking these drugs. He or she may be able to prescribe an alternative medication that does not interact with Stendra. Tamsulosin can cause a number of problems if it is taken with Stendra. Tamsulosin has the potential to cause lightheadedness, dizziness, and nasal congestion. These symptoms are most likely to be present when you begin taking this medication. These can also appear when your doctor increases your dosage or you restart taking Stendra after discontinuing treatment. You should notify your doctor of these side effects if they don’t go away after a few days.

If these symptoms become a problem quickly, it is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible. Your blood pressure should be “steady” before you begin taking a new medication. So, if you see a sudden drop in blood pressure after starting Tamsulosin or Viagra, it is important to contact your doctor immediately. If you take Tamsulosin, you should avoid operating machinery and driving. You should also be careful when moving from a lying or sitting position. Stendra is the newest ED drug on the market. 

According to experts, Stendra is one of the better treatment options for ED. It is absorbed more quickly into the body than some other ED drugs. However, Stendra is still very similar to Viagra in the sense that it is a PDE 5 inhibitor. This class of drugs increases blood flow tissues inside the penis. Both of these medications should be taken before you engage in sexual activity. Viagra should be taken 30 minutes to an hour before sex to begin working. Stendra, on the other hand, acts more quickly, and can be effective in as little as 15 to 30 minutes.

While Stendra has the ability to cause serious side effects, it is unlikely to cause as many side effects as Viagra. Even so, you must still exercise extreme caution when taking these two medications in tandem. Both of these medications cause erections when you engage in sexual activity or have sexual thoughts. Studies have found Stendra to be an effective treatment option for men with ED. According to GoodRX Health, consuming alcohol while on Stendra and other ED drugs can counteract the drug’s benefits, making it less effective.

If cutting or limiting your alcohol consumption is a problem, there are alternative treatments for ED. For example, you can get an implanted device that can help you get an erection. Another option would be surgery to “repair arteries” that typically cause ED. A healthcare professional will implant this device during surgery. You may also want to talk to your doctor to see if any other medications you take are interacting with Stendra. You need to know what to do in the event that you experience adverse side effects as a result of alcohol consumption. Because alcohol can worsen the side effects of Stendra and other ED drugs, it is best to stay away from alcohol. 

If you consume alcohol while taking Stendra, be aware that you could be in for disastrous side effects. As with any drug, you should be aware of its side effects. But you should also be aware of any specific problems it may cause. While alcohol can produce adverse side effects, grapefruit juice can also pose a problem. It is a good idea to limit your grapefruit consumption as well. Large amounts of it can increase blood levels, potentially worsening the drug’s side effects.

When you start taking a medication, such as Stendra, you should tell your doctor about any herbs, vitamins, or other drugs you are taking. Herbs and vitamins may interact with your ED medication. Experts say that Stendra remains active in your system for up to six hours. Viagra has a half-life of five hours, which means it takes five hours for the drug to reach half of its capacity. Stendra, however, has the upper hand on older ED drugs. It does not have to be taken on a set schedule, so you can take it at your convenience. Timing it around sexual activity allows you to reap the best results.

9 Sources

Nu Image Medical has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

https://www.drugs.com/food-interactions/avanafil,stendra.html

https://www.goodrx.com/stendra/what-is

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22973106/

https://www.singlecare.com/blog/stendra-vs-viagra/

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-165587/stendra-oral/details

https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/stendra-with-viagra-3390-15672-2061-1352.html

https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/stendra-with-tamsulosin-3390-15672-2146-0.html

https://www.forhims.com/blog/stendra-vs-viagra

https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.