Comparison of the efficacy and safety of 90 mg versus 20 mg fluoxetine in the treatment of premature ejaculation.
OBJECTIVE
We compare the efficacy and side effects of 90 mg fluoxetine once weekly versus 20 mg fluoxetine as single oral therapy for patients complaining of premature ejaculation without evident organic causes.


METHODS
The study comprised 80 patients with a mean age of 36 years with premature ejaculation who presented to the urology clinic of 3 hospitals in Barcelona. Pretreatment evaluation included history and physical examination, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Meares-Stamey test and ejaculatory latency time evaluation. The patients were randomized into treatment groups receiving 1 capsule of 90 mg fluoxetine a week (group 1) and 1 capsule of 20 mg fluoxetine a day (group 2) for 3 months. The 4-month followup included: ejaculatory latency time measurement, IIEF and partner sexual satisfaction.


RESULTS
Mean pretreatment ejaculatory latency times for groups 1 and 2 were 0.48 minute (range 0 to 2.10) and 0.50 minute (0 to 2.04), respectively. After 3 months of treatment of weekly and daily administration of fluoxetine mean ejaculatory latency time was 3.57 and 3.37 minutes, respectively (p >0.01). Partner sexual satisfaction and IIEF rate were greater with 90 mg fluoxetine but no statistical difference was found. Nausea, insomnia and headache were reported side effects but no significant difference was noted between 90 and 20 mg fluoxetine.


CONCLUSIONS
In men with premature ejaculation 90 mg fluoxetine weekly may be regarded as an effective and safe treatment.
Manasia
Pasqualino
P
Department of Urology, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, C. Villaroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
Pomerol
José
J
Ribè
Natalia
N
Gutierrez del Pozo
Rafael
R
Alcover Garcia
Joan
J
D000328:Adult; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy*
D005473:Fluoxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors