Should I Take Dapoxetine for Premature Ejaculation?

Dr. Jed Kaminetsky

Updated on April 12, 2021

Question asked by

Chong C.

Question

A friend told me about Dapoxetine after taking it a few times before sex and how it helped him last longer. I'm located in Asia and Dapoxetine is readily available for me.

Before taking it, I made some preliminary research about Dapoxetine side effects, if it works, and reviews. I was wishing you could help me better understand.

I was recommended Dapoxetine to treat premature ejaculation, but want to know, "Does it actually work?"

Dapoxetine is a prescription only antidepressant medication that has been studied and administered specifically for premature ejaculation in some countries.

The FDA has not cleared Dapoxetine for use in the United States for a variety of reasons, but it has been approved and shown to be effective in other countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Inthis study, a majority of men stated that taking Dapoxetine worked to control ejaculation, increasing their average time to climax by several minutes.

How Does Dapoxetine Work?

Dapoxetine is a prescription medication that comes with a host of side effects. Out of those various side effects, some of them happen to be related to sexual well-being.

While side effects in general are viewed as mostly negative, antidepressants (commonly referred to as SSRIs,SelectiveSerotoninReuptakeInhibitors) can be an effective treatment for premature ejaculation when administered at low doses.

They work to block the 5-HT reuptake, which results in increased levels of 5-HT. It has been theorized instudies that this function is what delays ejaculation.

Learn more: Premature Ejaculation Pills: Do They Work?

Is It Safe? Are There Side Effects?

Dapoxetine, and other antidepressants, can help at a low dose, but there are chances of side effects.

In the same study referenced above, a total of the 182 patients registered. Of the 182 patients, 143 stopped taking the medication within 6-months.

Reasoning for discontinuation consisted of:

The high cost of medication
Disappointment or perceived poor efficacy
Side effects
Searched for alternative medication instead

Typical side effects you may experience when taking a medication like Dapoxetine are:

loss of sexual desire and other sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction and decreased orgasm satisfaction or inability to reach orgasm
nausea, fatigue, and drowsiness
increased appetite which may lead to weight gain
Insomnia or poor sleep
dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation

Alternatives to Dapoxetine

There are many alternative treatment options to Dapoxetine that may be available in your location, work better for your needs, or come with a lower price tag.

Some consist of:

Lidocaine sprays or benzocaine wipes
Pelvic floor exercises like kegels
Practice the edging technique or squeeze technique
Thick condoms or condoms that contain a desensitizing agent
Trying sex positions that don’t stimulate the penis as much

Learn more: Last Longer In Bed (Ultimate Guide)

Takeaways

Dapoxetine is not available in most countries worldwide, including the United States.

Ultimately it's up to each person whether they'd prefer to take dapoxetine or choose to use an alternative like Promescent Delay Spray each time they have sex.

Both are clinically proven to be effective to control premature ejaculation.

It will come down to personal preference, side effects, or cost – and that is up to you to decide.