Dapoxetine- Potent drug for premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation, the problem with almost 21%-33% of men, has found a medication which will prevent it and is labeled as ‘safe’ by the scientists.

Dapoxetine is currently being considered for approval by the FDA for the treatment of premature ejaculation in men, which would make it the first drug approved for such treatment. It is currently in Phase 3 of the approval process. This would make it join the ranks of sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, the erectile dysfunction drugs, as a drug intended to improve male sexual health.

If approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other licensors, dapoxetine will be the first drug for premature ejaculation to go on chemist shelves.

Jon Pryor of the University of Minnesota, conducted the research on 2600 men, belonging to different racial back grounds and having an average age of just over 40, suffering from mild to major premature ejaculation. The research also involved their spouses.

The volunteers were instructed to have sexual intercourse with and without the drug, to see how the medication performs.

It was noted that men ejaculated after 54 seconds of penetration. Dividing categories, researchers gave dummy tablet called a placebo to some; the remaining two-thirds were given either a 30mg dose of dapoxetine or a 60mg dose.

The couples were asked to record their findings in a logbook for 12 weeks. They were advised to have a dose one or three hours before the intercourse. Any kind of side effects was also to be revealed.
Men who took the placebo extended their time of ejaculation to 1.75 minutes; for those on the 30mg dose of dapoxetine, it was 2.78 minutes; and for those on 60mg, it was 3.32 minutes.

It was however noted that the drug was not without side effects. About 5% men who had consumed the 60 mg dose experienced nausea. Only 1% of them suffered from nausea in the 30 mg category. Diarrhoea, headache,dizziness psychiatric problems and skin reactions were also reported, although in lesser numbers.

Despite the minor side effects, the researchers label dapoxetine as a potent and significant drug.

Dapoxetine, submitted to the FDA in the form of dapoxetine hydrochloride, was developed by ALZA Corporation and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson.

Premature ejaculation, also known as rapid ejaculation, early ejaculation, or by the Latin term ejaculatio praecox, is the most common sexual problem in men, characterized by a lack of voluntary control over ejaculation. It is the main cause for distress in a relationship.

Scientists have long suspected a genetic link to premature ejaculation. Physical illness and psychological factors also contribute to the illness.

Researchers revealed that dapoxetine is short lived. It starts showing action as soon as it is taken in the blood stream and in about 24 hours, is eliminated from the body completely.

Like other drugs in the category, it is controversial for turning something that is traditionally considered psychological into a physiological problem that can be treated, to the benefit of the pharmaceutical industry (but also to the people with the dysfunction).

Another question fencing drugs with blockbuster potential is preventing abuse of them once they enter the public arena.