Stendra side effects: A detailed guide

This article describes possible side effects of Stendra oral tablet. You can learn more about Stendra by talking with your doctor.

Stendra is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet. It isn’t available in a generic version. This article describes possible side effects of Stendra.

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More common side effects of Stendra

Stendra oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of Stendra oral tablet include:

• flushing
• headache
• indigestion
• nasal congestion
• nausea

Mild side effects of Stendra

Stendra may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and easily manageable. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of Stendra oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• back pain
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• flushing
• headache
• indigestion
• joint pain
• nasal congestion
• nausea

Serious side effects of Stendra

Stendra may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Stendra oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Stendra.

Serious side effects of Stendra oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• low blood pressure*
• serious eye problems*
• priapism*
• sudden hearing problems

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Stendra in detail” section below.

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Allergic reaction

For some people, Stendra oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Stendra oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Common questions about side effects of Stendra

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Stendra oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do the side effects of Stendra vs Cialis compare?

The side effects of Stendra and Cialis are very similar. They are both phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor drugs that treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Because they belong to the same group of drugs, they’ll generally have the same side effects. This includes mild side effects, such as headache and flushing.

They can also cause the same serious side effects, such as priapism and low blood pressure. You can read more about these serious side effects in the “Side effects of Stendra in detail” section below.

To learn more about how these two drugs compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do the side effects of Stendra vs Viagra compare?

Stendra and Viagra generally have the same side effects. They both belong to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Drugs in this group have very similar side effects. This includes mild side effects, such as headache and nasal congestion.

PDE5 inhibitor drugs also have the same serious side effects. This includes serious eye problems and low blood pressure. You can read more about these serious side effects in the “Side effects of Stendra in detail” section below.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out more about how Stendra and Viagra compare.

Side effects of Stendra in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Stendra oral tablet.

Low blood pressure

In studies, low blood pressure was common in people taking Stendra oral tablet. However, it only occurred in people taking Stendra with other medications that lower blood pressure, such as doxazosin (Cardura) and tamsulosin (Flomax). This side effect may be serious.

Taking Stendra can cause low blood pressure. For most people, this does not cause problems. But it can be unsafe in people with certain heart conditions or who take certain medications, such as nitrates. Examples of nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, others) and isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket). In people taking these kinds of drug, it can cause serious problems including:

• dizziness and fainting
• heart attack
• stroke

Sexual activity can put extra strain on your heart, especially in people who already have heart problems. Sudden low blood pressure adds to the strain and can cause the following warning symptoms during sex:

• chest pain
• dizziness
• nausea

Ways to manage

Due to the risks associated with sudden low blood pressure, doctors usually don’t prescribe Stendra in people with heart problems or who take certain other medications.

If you experience chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sex, stop sexual activity and get emergency medical care or call 911. Emergency healthcare professionals will need to know what time you took Stendra to safely treat your symptoms.

Serious eye problems

In studies, serious eye problems were rare in people taking Stendra oral tablet. Stendra oral tablet can cause a condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

With NAION, you may experience damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for your vision. Symptoms of NAION include a sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes. NAION can cause permanent vision loss.

If you’ve already experienced NAION in one eye, it can increase the risk of NAION with Stendra oral tablet.

Ways to manage

If you experience a sudden decrease or loss of vision, get medical care right away and stop using Stendra.

Priapism

Priapism can occur in people taking Stendra oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies. Instead, there have been rare reports of this side effect by people who have taken medications similar to Stendra. This side effect may be serious.

With priapism, you get a long-lasting erection that won’t go away. It can be painful and requires medical care. Although rare, priapism can cause permanent damage to your penis if left untreated. 

Certain factors can increase the risk of priapism with Stendra oral tablet. These include:

• certain blood cancers, such as leukemia or multiple myeloma
• conditions affecting the shape of your penis, such as Peyronie’s disease
• sickle cell anemia

Ways to manage

Before taking Stendra, let your doctor know if you have any conditions that may increase your risk of having priapism. They’ll likely not prescribe Stendra for you.

If you experience an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, get emergency medial care. Getting immediate treatment for priapism can help avoid permanent damage to your penis.

Warnings for Stendra

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Stendra oral tablet.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take Stendra oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Stendra oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking Stendra oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• bleeding problems
• blood cell cancer
• conditions affecting the shape of your penis
• diabetes
• heart problems
• heart surgery in the last 6 months
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• kidney problems
• liver problems
• non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) or other severe eye problems
• past priapism
• past heart attack or stroke
• retinitis pigmentosa
• sickle cell anemia
• smoking
• stomach ulcers
• past allergic reaction to Stendra

Stendra and pregnancy

Stendra oral tablet is not approved for people who can become pregnant. It is unknown whether you should take Stendra oral tablet during pregnancy.

Stendra and breastfeeding

Stendra oral tablet is not approved for people who can breastfeed. It is unknown whether you should take Stendra oral tablet while breastfeeding.

Stendra and alcohol

Stendra oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.

Drinking alcohol while taking Standra oral tablet can increase the risk of low blood pressure, dizziness, and headache.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Stendra oral tablet.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.