Avanafil Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 12, 2025.

Applies to avanafil: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is important that you tell all of your doctors that you take avanafil. If you need emergency medical care for a heart problem, it is important that your doctor knows when you last took avanafil.

Do not use this medicine if you are also using riociguat (Adempas®), vericiguat (Verquvo®), or a nitrate medicine, often used to treat angina (chest pain) or high blood pressure. Nitrate medicines include nitroglycerin, isosorbide, Imdur®, Nitro-Bid®, Nitro-Dur®, Nitrol® Ointment, Nitrolingual® Spray, Nitrostat®, and Transderm Nitro®. Some illegal ("street") drugs called "poppers" (eg, amyl nitrate, butyl nitrate, or nitrite) also contain nitrates. If you need to use a nitrate medicine for emergency, take it at least 12 hours after your last dose of avanafil.

Do not take this medicine if you are also using other PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), or vardenafil (Levitra®). If you take too much avanafil or take it together with these medicines, the chance for side effects will be higher.

It is important to tell your doctor about any heart problems you have now or may have had in the past. This medicine can cause serious side effects in patients with heart problems.

If you experience a prolonged or painful erection for 4 hours or more, contact your doctor immediately. This condition may require prompt medical treatment to prevent serious and permanent damage to your penis.

If you experience sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, contact your doctor immediately.

Check with your doctor right away if you have a sudden decrease in hearing or loss of hearing, which may be accompanied by dizziness and ringing in the ears.

If you already use medicine for high blood pressure (hypertension), avanafil could make your blood pressure go too low. Call your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly, sweating, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Do not drink excessive amounts of alcohol (eg, more than 3 glasses of wine or 3 shots of whiskey) when taking avanafil. When taken in excess, alcohol can increase your chances of getting a headache or getting dizzy, increase your heart rate, or lower your blood pressure.

This medicine does not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV or AIDS). Use protective measures and ask your doctor if you have any questions about this.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Common side effects of avanafil

Some side effects of avanafil may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects of avanafil

Along with its needed effects, avanafil may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking avanafil:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to avanafil: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common side effects reported were headache, flushing, nasal and sinus congestion and back pain.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Flushing (up to 10.1%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, abnormal electrocardiogram
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Peripheral edema, angina, unstable angina, deep vein thrombosis, palpitations, hot flush, increased heart rate
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Tachycardia, chest pain, increased blood pressure, cardiac murmur
• Postmarketing reports: Hypotension^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Balanitis, increased erection
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Penis disorder, spontaneous penile erection, genital pruritus, increased prostate specific antigen
• Postmarketing reports: Priapism, hematuria, hematospermia, penile hemorrhage^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, constipation
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach discomfort, vomiting, dyspepsia, nausea
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Dry mouth, lower abdominal pain^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, arthralgia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle spasms, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, pain in extremity, muscle tightness
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Flank pain^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 12.1%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence, vertigo, sinus headache
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Psychomotor hyperactivity^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression, insomnia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Premature ejaculation, inappropriate affect^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hematuria, nephrolithiasis, pollakiuria, urinary tract infection
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Blood urine present^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Nasal congestion, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory infection (URI), bronchitis, sinusitis, sinus congestion
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Oropharyngeal pain, cough, exertional dyspnea, wheezing
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Rhinorrhea, upper respiratory tract congestion^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Epistaxis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased alanine aminotransferase
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Increased blood bilirubin^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Influenza
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Seasonal allergy^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypoglycemia, increased blood glucose
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Gout, Increased weight^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blurred vision, vision loss
• Postmarketing reports: Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)^[Ref]

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatigue, tinnitus
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Asthenia, influenza-like illness, increased body temperature
• Postmarketing reports: Loss of hearing^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Avanafil side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer