Abstract

Dapoxetine: a pharmacological therapy for the treatment of premature ejaculation

Author(s): Ignacio Moncada Iribarren and Juan Ignacio Martinez�Salamanca

Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most common male sexual dysfunctions, characterized by reduced intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and self-perceived lack of control over ejaculation. PE can place a substantial burden on the sexual satisfaction of the couple and negatively impact their quality of life. Dapoxetine is a short-acting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and the first pharmacotherapy approved for the treatment of men with PE. The pharmacokinetic profile of dapoxetine makes it particularly well‑suited for the on-demand treatment of PE. Dapoxetine has been investigated in five randomized, placebo‑controlled Phase III trials involving 6081 men with PE. Dapoxetine (30 and 60 mg) significantly increased mean IELT across the trials (p ≤ 0.001 both doses vs placebo) up to 24 weeks. Increases in IELT with dapoxetine were observed in men with baseline IELTs ranging from less than 0.5 to 2.0 min, and were accompanied by improvements in patient-reported outcomes (control, satisfaction, distress and interpersonal difficulty) for both the man and his partner. The approval of dapoxetine offers new hope to men with PE.