Dapoxetine, a novel selective serotonin transport inhibitor for the treatment of premature ejaculation

Muammer Kendirci¹, Emad Salem², Wayne JG Hellstrom²

¹Department of Urology, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; ²Department of Urology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

Abstract: Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most common male sexual disorder, estimated to affect up to 30% of men. Over the past one or two decades, clinical investigators have participated in an increasing number of studies that are helping in our understanding of PE, which will undoubtedly facilitate future treatments. Apart from a number of behavioral approaches, the treatment of PE consists of primarily off-label use of oral selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) via either on-demand or daily delivery. However, various undesirable side-effects of these medications have led researchers to search for and develop new therapeutic approaches for PE. Dapoxetine is a short-acting SSRI developed specifically for the treatment of PE. Early trials with dapoxetine have documented successful outcomes without serious short- or longterm side-effects. This review addresses the definition, classification, diagnosis, physiology, and neurobiopathology of PE, and evaluates therapeutic strategies with novel treatments for PE.

Keywords: dapoxetine, premature ejaculation, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, sildenafil, topical cream, paroxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline