EFFICACY OF SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS IN PATIENTS WITH PREMATURE EJACULATION

Abstract

Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most common sexual dysfunction compliant in about 35 to 45% of men younger than 40 years. In this study, the efficacy of two drugs (Fluoxetine and Citalopram) which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) used for treatment of patients suffering from PE is evaluated. The effectiveness of both drugs in PE patients was studied with different protocol to find out the most effective drugs with least side effect. A total of 93 patients were referred to the Urology Clinic in Basrah Teaching Hospital for the treatment of PE. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; Patients in group 1 (N=49) received 40mg (2 capsules of 20mg) fluoxetine daily for 4 weeks, and patients in group 2 (N=44) received 40mg citalopram daily for 4 weeks. The mean intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IVELT) before treatment in patient of group 1 was 65.81±27.63 seconds, while after treatment it raised to 311.47± 43.29 seconds. In group 2, the mean IVELT before treatment was 61.42±32.65 seconds, while after treatment it raised to 293.15± 51.72 seconds. In conclusion, both drugs (Fluoxetine and Citalopram) improved ejaculation duration significantly.