Avanafil

Avanafil is a PDE5 inhibitor approved for erectile dysfunction by the FDA on April 27, 2012[2] and by EMA on June 21, 2013.[3] Avanafil is sold under the brand names Stendra and Spedra. It was invented at Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, formerly known as Tanabe Seiyaku Co.,[4] and licensed to Vivus Inc., which partnered with Menarini Group to commercialise Spedra in over forty European countries, Australia, and New Zealand.[5] Metuchen Pharmaceuticals obtained exclusive rights within the United States.[6]

Avanafil
Avanafil is a PDE5 inhibitor
Clinical data
Trade namesStendra
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa614010
License data
Routes of
administration
By mouth
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
  • (S)-4-((3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl)amino)-2-(2-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(pyrimidin-2-ylmethyl)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
PDB ligand
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC23H26ClN7O3
Molar mass483.96 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • Clc1c(OC)ccc(c1)CNc3nc(ncc3C(=O)NCc2ncccn2)N4[C@@H](CCC4)CO
  • InChI=1S/C23H26ClN7O3/c1-34-19-6-5-15(10-18(19)24)11-27-21-17(22(33)28-13-20-25-7-3-8-26-20)12-29-23(30-21)31-9-2-4-16(31)14-32/h3,5-8,10,12,16,32H,2,4,9,11,13-14H2,1H3,(H,28,33)(H,27,29,30)/t16-/m0/s1 checkY
  • Key:WEAJZXNPAWBCOA-INIZCTEOSA-N checkY
 ☒NcheckY (what is this?)  (verify)

Avanafil acts by inhibiting a specific phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme found in various body tissues, primarily in the corpus cavernosum penis.[7] Other similar drugs are sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil. The advantage of avanafil is that it has very fast onset of action compared with other PDE5 inhibitors. It is absorbed quickly, reaching a maximum serum concentration in about thirty to forty-five minutes.[8] About two-thirds of the participants were able to engage in sexual activity within fifteen minutes.[8]

Medical use

Avanafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).[9]

Adverse effects

Although avanafil is generally well tolerated, dose dependent adverse effects can occur.[8] The most common adverse effects include headache, flushing, nasopharyngitis, nasal congestion, and back pain.[8] While it is also uncommon, there is a potential for visual disturbances to occur in patients.[8]

Mechanism of action

Avanafil inhibits phosphodiesterase-5, preventing the degradation of cGMP.[10][11] The increased levels of cGMP causes vasodilation, resulting in an increased blood flow in the penis.[11] Avanafil's mechanism of action takes places once nitric oxide is released, in association with sexual stimulation.[11]

Synthesis

Avanafil can be synthesized from a benzylamine derivative and a pyrimidine derivative:[4]

References

  • "Avanafil". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.