Ejaculation-retarding properties of paroxetine in patients with primary premature ejaculation: a double-blind, randomized, dose-response study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the influence of a daily dose of 20 or 40 mg of the serotonergic antidepressant drug paroxetine in delaying ejaculation in patients with primary premature ejaculation.


METHODS
Thirty-four patients with primary premature ejaculation were randomly assigned to receive 20 mg or 40 mg daily of paroxetine for 7 weeks in a double-blind fixed-dose trial after an initial dose of 20 mg/day in the first week. Patients and their female partners were interviewed separately. In the group receiving 20 mg, one of two capsules consisted of placebo and in the group receiving 40 mg, both capsules contained active drug.


RESULTS
The trial was completed by 27 men; both groups showed a statistically significant difference from the baseline values of ejaculation latency (P < 0.001) and a clinically relevant improvement in ejaculation time. The increase in the intravaginal ejaculation latency time was not statistically significant different between the groups. The patient's assessments were confirmed independently by their partners.


CONCLUSIONS
The daily use of 20 mg paroxetine may be considered as an adequate treatment for primary premature ejaculation. Increasing the dose may lead to a further increase in ejaculation latency.
Waldinger
M D
MD
Department of Psychiatry and Neurosexology, Leyenburg Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Hengeveld
M W
MW
Zwinderman
A H
AH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy*
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors