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Spedra and Viagra are both erectile dysfunction treatments and PDE5 inhibitors, sold in the UK as Spedra and Viagra (or generic Viagra) respectively. They work broadly the same way, but differ in onset speed, duration, how much food and alcohol affect them, their effect on blood pressure, side effects, dosing, cost, availability, and how they are accessed.
For adult men in the UK comparing avanafil vs viagra, the short answer is that neither is inherently "better": Spedra generally starts working faster than Viagra, while the right choice depends on your health, preferences, and a prescriber's assessment.
This guide compares them using manufacturer prescribing data rather than marketing claims, so you can have an informed conversation with your prescriber about which of these prescription erectile dysfunction treatments might suit your circumstances. Viagra Connect 50mg is available from UK pharmacies following a pharmacist consultation, while other sildenafil strengths and Spedra are prescription medicines.
What Spedra and Viagra Are?
Viagra contains sildenafil citrate and is also available as generic sildenafil tablets. Spedra contains the active ingredient avanafil, a newer PDE5 inhibitor. Both work in broadly similar ways: these ED medicines are oral tablets and an oral medication option taken during sexual arousal, when the body releases nitric oxide, relaxing blood vessels and increasing blood flow to erectile tissue. An enzyme called PDE5 normally breaks down the chemical signal responsible for that relaxation. Both Spedra and Viagra block PDE5, allowing the signal to last longer and helping men achieve and maintain erections. Neither creates arousal by itself, sexual stimulation is required for either to have an effect.
Onset: How Quickly Each One Works
This is the most consistently documented difference between the two medicines.
Spedra has a faster documented onset than sildenafil in some clinical studies. Its SmPC reports a median time to maximum plasma concentration of 30 to 45 minutes, with some men achieving successful intercourse from approximately 15 minutes after dosing. Sildenafil reaches maximum plasma concentrations within 30 to 120 minutes, with a median of around 60 minutes. These figures describe pharmacokinetics and study outcomes rather than guaranteeing when an individual will achieve an erection, and sexual stimulation is required for both medicines to work.
This is a genuine, sourced difference rather than a marketing claim, and it is the main reason Spedra is sometimes described as more suited to less-planned sexual activity. It does not mean Spedra works "better", only that it tends to become active sooner for more people.
Duration
Both medicines can support erectile function for several hours after a dose, although the exact duration of effect varies between individuals. Sildenafil has demonstrated erectile responses to sexual stimulation 4–5 hours after dosing, while the duration of avanafil's clinical effect can also extend for several hours.
Food and Alcohol
A high-fat meal delays Viagra's absorption, with SmPC data showing a mean 60-minute delay in time to peak concentration and a 29% reduction in peak concentration, though the total amount absorbed is not significantly affected. Sildenafil may take 90-120 minutes after a high-fat meal. Spedra's SmPC shows a broadly comparable pattern for its 200mg dose: a mean 75-minute delay in time to peak concentration and a 39% reduction in peak concentration with a high-fat meal.
This is worth flagging clearly: Spedra is often marketed as "less affected by food" than Viagra, but the manufacturer data does not straightforwardly support that as a precise, quantified claim, since the percentage reduction in peak concentration is actually larger for Spedra in this comparison. Both medicines are best taken with this in mind rather than assuming either is fully food-independent. Food still delays onset for both.
Drinking alcohol with either medicine calls for the same general caution. People taking Spedra should be especially careful because alcohol can worsen dizziness, lower blood pressure, and reduce erectile function. Both medicines are PDE5 inhibitors, and alcohol can also make it harder to get or keep an erection independently of any medicine. Alcohol can also make erections more difficult to achieve or maintain, while excessive alcohol consumption with Spedra may increase the risk of dizziness or low blood pressure.
Effect on Blood Pressure: A Genuine Point of Difference
This is a measurable difference reported in manufacturer interaction studies, although it does not mean Spedra is generally safer for people with cardiovascular conditions or those taking blood-pressure medicines.
| Combination studied | Mean additional supine BP decrease vs placebo |
|---|---|
| Spedra + enalapril | 2/3 mmHg |
| Spedra + amlodipine | 1/-1 mmHg (negligible) |
| Viagra 100mg alone (vs placebo) | 8.4/5.5 mmHg |
| Viagra 100mg + amlodipine | Additional 8/7 mmHg |
This does not mean Spedra is free of cardiovascular caution, and it does not override the need for an individual clinical assessment.
Both medicines are contraindicated with organic nitrates or nitric oxide donors, and with riociguat, because of the risk of symptomatic hypotension. Nicorandil also has nitrate-like activity and should not be combined with PDE5 inhibitors.
But for men whose main concern is an additive blood-pressure-lowering effect alongside their existing medication, this is a genuine, sourced point of difference to discuss with a prescriber or healthcare provider, including any history of cardiovascular disease and possible interacting medicines, rather than a general "fewer side effects" claim.
Dosing and Strengths Available
| Medicine | Strengths available in the UK | Access route |
|---|---|---|
| Viagra (generic) | 25mg, 50mg, 100mg | Prescription only (POM) |
| Viagra (branded) | 25mg, 50mg, 100mg | Prescription only (POM) |
| Viagra Connect | 50mg only | Pharmacy medicine (P). Pharmacist consultation, no prescription needed |
| Spedra | 50mg, 100mg, 200mg | Prescription only (POM) |
Both medicines are generally taken no more than once a day, but the appropriate dose and dosing interval can differ when other medicines or health conditions are involved.
Spedra is available in three doses, and in some cases a lower dose may be chosen to improve tolerability, but this is a decision made with your prescriber, not a general recommendation.
Avanafil is metabolised predominantly by CYP3A4, with CYP2C9 also contributing. Certain medicines that inhibit this enzyme, including some antibiotics and antifungals, can increase Spedra levels in the body, which is another reason a full medicines review during consultation matters regardless of which PDE5 inhibitor is being considered.
Cost and Availability
EverydayMeds prices Viagra from £3.99 and Spedra from £22.99. Prices vary between pharmacies and whether you are obtaining generic sildenafil, Viagra Connect or branded Viagra. Generic sildenafil is generally less expensive than Spedra, but current prices should be checked with the pharmacy because private prescription and dispensing charges can vary.
Which One Might Suit You: Questions Worth Raising With Your Prescriber
- How much advance planning do you typically have before sexual activity? A faster typical onset may be more relevant if spontaneity matters to you.
- Do you take other blood pressure medication, and is an additive blood-pressure effect a specific concern for you?
- Do you already have experience with Viagra, positive or negative, that would inform trying a different PDE5 inhibitor or comparing it with other ed treatments?
- Are you taking any medicines that interact with CYP3A4? Drug interactions with blood pressure medicines, CYP3A4-affecting drugs, other ed medicines, and other ed treatments should be reviewed before choosing between them.
- Is cost a significant factor in your decision, given the price difference between the two?
None of these questions has a universally correct answer. They are simply the practical considerations a prescriber will weigh alongside your medical history, including kidney or liver problems, cardiovascular conditions, and other medicines.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Spedra and Viagra (including generic sildenafil) are medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra Connect 50mg is available from UK pharmacies following a pharmacist consultation, while Spedra and other strengths of sildenafil are prescription medicines. This article does not state that either medicine is better than the other, treatment suitability depends on an individual clinical assessment, and results vary between individuals. Do not start, stop or switch between these medicines without speaking to your prescriber or pharmacist first. If you experience an erection lasting more than 4 hours, chest pain, or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, seek urgent medical attention.
