Spedra Ingredients: what is Actually in the Tablet

• Spedra's active ingredient is avanafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, "avanafil" is also Spedra's generic (non-proprietary) name.
• Spedra tablets contain several other, non-active ingredients (excipients) alongside avanafil, each with a specific formulation role.
• The full, officially approved ingredient list for Spedra is set out in its patient information leaflet, supplied with every pack.
• As a prescription-only medicine, genuine access to Spedra requires an appropriate clinical assessment and a valid prescription from a qualified prescriber.

Spedra's generic name is avanafil, the active ingredient in this prescription erectile dysfunction medicine. For men in the UK who have been prescribed Spedra, are considering it, or simply want to confirm exactly what is in their tablets, this page explains the full ingredient list, including active and inactive components.

Alongside avanafil, Spedra tablets contain excipients that help form, stabilise and colour the tablet rather than treat erectile dysfunction themselves. You will also find what those excipients generally do, what to check if you have a known allergy or intolerance, how Spedra tablets are presented and supplied in different strengths, and the key UK regulatory and purchasing points that help you identify genuine prescribed medication and use it safely.

What Is Spedra's Generic Name as an Erectile Dysfunction Medication?

Avanafil. This is both the active ingredient in Spedra and its generic, or non-proprietary, name, the name used to describe the substance itself regardless of brand. Spedra is the brand name under which avanafil is licensed and sold in the UK. A fuller explanation of how brand names and generic names relate is covered on our dedicated page on this topic, this page focuses on Spedra's actual ingredient composition.

Seeing "avanafil" on a prescription or pharmacy label rather than "Spedra" is not a mix-up, UK pharmacy labels commonly use the active ingredient name, while the box and marketing use the brand name. Both names refer to the same medicine in this context: avanafil is the active ingredient, while Spedra is the brand name. The ingredient list for the branded product is covered below.

Spedra's Active Ingredient: Avanafil

Avanafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, licensed to treat erectile dysfunction in adult men, and Spedra was licensed for erectile dysfunction treatment in 2013. It is the ingredient responsible for Spedra's clinical effect, everything else in the tablet is there to form, stabilise or colour it, not to treat anything.

Avanafil belongs to the same broad medicine class as a small number of other drugs for the same condition, though each has its own distinct formulation and dosing profile, and Spedra should not be taken alongside other PDE5 inhibitors. Within Spedra specifically, avanafil is present in one of three amounts depending on the tablet strength prescribed, 50mg, 100mg or 200mg, with the rest of the tablet's weight made up of the excipients covered below.

Full List of Spedra Tablet Ingredients

Beyond avanafil, Spedra tablets contain a small set of standard pharmaceutical excipients. According to the officially approved patient information leaflet, these are: mannitol, fumaric acid, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose (low substituted), calcium carbonate, magnesium stearate, and ferric oxide yellow (E172).

None of these seven excipients are unique to Spedra, each is a well-established component used across a wide range of licensed tablet medicines in the UK, not something developed specifically for, or unique to, this product.

What Do the Other Ingredients in Spedra Do?

None of Spedra's excipients provide its main therapeutic effect. They are used to make the tablet physically workable, helping it hold its shape, break down appropriately after swallowing and remain stable during storage.

Mannitol and calcium carbonate act as fillers, adding bulk so the tablet is a practical size to manufacture, handle and swallow, rather than an amount of active ingredient too small to form a tablet on its own. Fumaric acid is included as part of the tablet formulation.

The two forms of hydroxypropylcellulose serve different jobs: one acts as a binder, holding the tablet's components together so it does not crumble, while the low-substituted form acts as a disintegrant, helping the tablet break apart once swallowed so the active ingredient can be released and absorbed. Magnesium stearate is a lubricant used during the manufacturing process itself, helping the tablet mixture move smoothly through machinery rather than sticking to it. The colourant, ferric oxide yellow (E172), simply gives the tablet its pale yellow appearance, which also helps visually distinguish it from other medicines.

Why Do Tablets Contain More Than the Active Ingredient?

A tablet made purely of an active ingredient often wouldn't hold together, wouldn't be a practical size, or wouldn't break down and release its contents properly once swallowed. Excipients solve these physical and manufacturing problems without contributing to the medicine's clinical effect themselves. This is standard across virtually all tablet medicines, not something specific to Spedra. The excipients used in a UK-licensed medicine are assessed as part of the medicine's overall formulation and regulatory approval.

It is a common misconception that a shorter ingredient list, or one described as "pure," is automatically preferable. In reality, the specific excipients in a licensed tablet are there because they've been shown to produce a stable, reliably dosed product, not included arbitrarily or for cost-cutting reasons alone. The choice and proportions of excipients affect properties such as tablet stability, disintegration and release of the active ingredient.

How Excipients Are Chosen and Regulated

Excipients used in UK-licensed medicines aren't chosen freely, they have to meet recognised quality and safety standards, and their inclusion is assessed as part of the medicine's overall licensing process. This means the presence of an excipient in a licensed product like Spedra reflects a formulation decision that's been reviewed as part of that product gaining its UK marketing authorisation, not an unregulated manufacturing choice.

Are There Different Ingredients Across the 50mg, 100mg and 200mg Tablets?

No, the set of ingredients is the same across all three strengths, what changes is the amount of active ingredient, avanafil, and the proportions of excipients needed to form each tablet size. The usual starting dose is 100mg, and Spedra is prescribed as 50mg, 100mg or 200mg depending on response and suitability. The tablets are also debossed with their strength number, which is a practical way to visually confirm which dose you are holding.

The maximum dose is 200mg in 24 hours.

This consistency across strengths is typical for medicines offered at multiple doses: rather than reformulating the excipient set for each strength, the same base formulation is scaled, with the active ingredient amount being the main variable between tablets. If you take alpha blockers, a prescriber may recommend a lower starting dose or a dose reduction. This is one reason the debossed strength number matters as a practical check, since the tablets can look broadly similar in colour and shape across strengths despite containing different amounts of avanafil.

Ingredient-Related Allergies and Intolerances

If you have a known allergy or intolerance to any ingredient, including any of the excipients listed above, this should be raised during your consultation before Spedra is considered. A prescriber can confirm whether it is an appropriate choice or whether a different option should be discussed instead. The ingredient list above does not include lactose or wheat-derived starches, but if you have a specific dietary or allergy concern, it is worth confirming directly with your pharmacist or prescriber rather than relying on a general list, since formulations can occasionally change.

This is a standard part of any consultation for a new medicine, not something specific to avanafil, a full review of allergies, intolerances and other medicines being taken is a normal step before any prescription-only medicine is issued. If you have previously had a reaction to another tablet medicine and are not sure which ingredient was responsible, mentioning this during your consultation still helps, since a prescriber can cross-check against Spedra's specific ingredient list.

Checking Your Spedra Tablets

Genuine Spedra tablets are pale yellow and oval, debossed with their strength, "50", "100" or "200", on one side. This debossing is a practical way to confirm which strength you are holding and is consistent with the officially licensed product. If the tablets you received do not match this description, were not accompanied by a patient information leaflet, or arrived without the appropriate prescription process, raise this with the pharmacy that supplied them rather than assuming it is simply a packaging variation.

Where to Find the Full Ingredient List

The complete, officially approved ingredient list for Spedra is set out in its patient information leaflet, supplied with every pack dispensed through a UK-regulated pharmacy. This is an important official source for ingredient information, rather than relying on a product description on a website. If you've mislaid your leaflet, your dispensing pharmacy can confirm the correct one for your specific pack.

How Avanafil (Spedra's Active Ingredient) Works

Spedra works by supporting the erectile response through improved blood flow. Spedra supports the erectile response by increasing blood flow to the penis when sexual stimulation is present. Sexual stimulation is required for it to work, so it does not create sexual arousal or erections on its own. A fuller breakdown of avanafil's mechanism, dosing and timing is covered on our dedicated avanafil pages, this page focuses specifically on tablet composition rather than repeating that detail in full.

For information about how quickly avanafil works and how it should be taken, refer to the patient information leaflet and your prescriber.

Buying Spedra in the UK

Because avanafil is a prescription-only medicine, Spedra should only be supplied following an appropriate clinical assessment and valid prescription. Before a prescriber advises you to take Spedra, they review your medical conditions and the following medicines because some combinations are unsafe. A legitimate online pharmacy should require an appropriate clinical assessment before dispensing Spedra. This includes checking for medicines such as nitrates and alpha blockers, as well as relevant substances such as grapefruit juice. Some medicines and substances can affect how avanafil works or increase the risk of adverse effects. Certain rifamycin medicines can reduce avanafil exposure and should be discussed with the prescriber.

Spedra Price

Prices are set by individual UK pharmacies and can change. On EveryDayMeds, Spedra is currently listed from £20.69. The final price may depend on the prescribed strength, pack size and pharmacy.

What Genuine UK Supply Involves

A UK-regulated pharmacy dispensing Spedra should supply it in the appropriate manufacturer packaging with the patient information leaflet and following the required prescription process. This matters specifically in the context of ingredients. A product obtained outside a regulated supply route may be difficult to verify for authenticity, correct ingredients and dose.

Medical Disclaimer

This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Avanafil (Spedra) is a prescription-only medicine, and treatment suitability depends on an individual clinical assessment. Treatment suitability depends on your individual health, medical history and other medicines you take. Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. Your prescriber will determine the appropriate treatment, dose and monitoring for you. Your prescriber should also be told about other medicines, supplements and relevant alcohol use. This medicine should only be used under the supervision of an appropriately qualified prescriber. Results vary between individuals. If you have concerns about Spedra side effects, an allergy, or your suitability for treatment, speak to a pharmacist, prescriber or your GP. Common side effects include headache, flushing and nasal congestion, other side effects are listed in the patient information leaflet. Seek urgent medical attention for serious symptoms such as sudden loss of vision or an erection lasting more than 4 hours. This page describes Spedra's ingredients for general information, it is not a substitute for reading the patient information leaflet supplied with your own medicine, which reflects the specific pack you have been dispensed.