A friend asked Huazi for advice. He saw an article saying that Avanafil can be used for the treatment of male infertility. What kind of drug is this and what does it do? Hua Zi told him that Avanafil is a similar drug to the familiar Sildenafil, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.
There are many male infertility patients with normal sperm quality, but because of ED or premature ejaculation, they cannot complete their married life, resulting in infertility. Therefore, clinically, doctors recommend the use of avanafil for the treatment of ED and dapoxetine for the treatment of premature ejaculation as adjuvant therapy for male infertility.
One, Avanafil can be used for male infertility
Avanafil is a new generation of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which is different from previous generations of sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil. similar drugs. The inhibition of PDE5 increases the level of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which promotes the relaxation of cavernosal smooth muscle and leads to increased blood perfusion and erection.
The use of PDE5 inhibitors can significantly improve the symptoms of ED, but there is no PDE5 gene and protein expression in the testis of males, so the use of PDE5 inhibitors has no effect on sperm morphology and motility. Can be used for adjunctive treatment of male infertility without reproductive toxicity.
2. What are the characteristics of Avanafil
Some people may be wondering, we already have several PDE5 inhibitors, why develop avanafil? This is because Avanafil is different from other similar drugs in chemical structure and has its own unique advantages.
Fast-onset: Avanafil has a rapid onset of action, about 15 minutes after oral administration, regardless of diet. Compared with other similar drugs, sildenafil (60 minutes), tadalafil (25 minutes), vardenafil (30 minutes), the use of avanafil can make oneself “ready” faster.
Low adverse reactions: When using PED5 inhibitors, adverse reactions such as headache, flushing, nasal congestion, indigestion, back pain, visual disturbance, and low blood pressure are the biggest problems for patients. . In clinical trials, avanafil had the lowest incidence of adverse reactions.
High safety: Among PDE5 inhibitors, avanafil is metabolized the fastest, which means that the drug is less prone to accumulating toxicity and is relatively safer.
Three, what to pay attention to when using avanafil
1. Dosage: Avanafil has two specifications, 100mg and 200mg. If it is used for the first time, it is recommended to choose a low dose of 100mg, which is only taken 15 minutes in advance.
According to the effect and tolerance after taking the medicine, if the effect has not reached the ideal state, it can be increased to 200mg, or reduced to 50mg, and the frequency of taking the medicine is once a day.
2. The key to its effect: Avanafil works by reducing the destruction of cGMP and increasing its level. However, sexual stimulation is required to promote the release of the vasoactive factor nitric oxide (NO) to activate the NO-cGMP molecular pathway. In other words, the onset of action after taking the drug requires sexual stimulation, otherwise the drug will not work.
3. Interactions with other drugs: Nitrates can promote the release of NO. When used in combination with avanafil, it will cause severe hypotension and should be disabled. For those who use avanafil, it is necessary to wait more than 12 hours before using nitrates.
Avanafil is metabolized by the liver drug enzyme CYP3A4, and if a CYP3A4 inhibitor (ketoconazole, ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indina) is used concomitantly Vir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir, and telithromycin, etc.), avanafil needs to be banned.
3. Contraindications: Those who are allergic to this product, suffer from myocardial infarction, stroke or life-threatening arrhythmia within 6 months are contraindicated; blood pressure is lower than 90/50mmHg, or high Contraindicated at 170/100mmHg; Severe angina pectoris, severe hepatic and renal insufficiency are contraindicated.
Hereditary degenerative retinal disease, non-arteritic anterior ischemic neuropathy (NAION) causing loss of vision in one eye is contraindicated.
To sum up, Avanafil is a new generation PDE5 inhibitor for the treatment of ED and can also be used for adjuvant treatment of male infertility. Compared with previous generations of PDE5 inhibitors, Avanafil has a faster onset of action, a lower incidence of adverse reactions, and a smaller accumulation, which is safer. However, when using it, it is necessary to pay attention to the interaction and contraindications with other drugs.
The medicine should be used under the guidance of a doctor. If you have any doubts about the medicine, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. I am Huazi, a pharmacist. Welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.