Duloxetine, dual serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, versus paroxetine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in the treatment for premature ejaculation.

PURPOSE: In the current analysis due to the mechanism of effect, we evaluated the treatment benefit of duloxetine 40 mg comparing with paroxetine 20 mg, based on its effects on personal distress and interpersonal difficulty related to ejaculation, perceived control over ejaculation, and satisfaction with sexual intercourse, as well as the patient-reported global impression of change in premature ejaculation (PE) and the effect on intravaginal ejaculatory latency times (IELT) in men with premature ejaculation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 80 married male patients diagnosed with lifelong PE. A total of 80 patients were randomly distributed into two groups of 40 patients each. Group 1 patients received 40 mg duloxetine once a day for a month. Group 2 patients received 20 mg paroxetine once a day for a month. International index of erectile function questionnaire (IIEF) and IELT and PE profile were recorded before and after treatment.

RESULTS: Comparing the groups' mean treatment IELT, there was no difference between groups. The IELT increase from baseline to treatment was 117 % in the duloxetine group (P < 0.001) and 126 % in the paroxetine group (P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between two groups in terms of IELT increase (P > 0.05). Also, there was no statistically significant difference between two groups at baseline IIEF to treatment IIEF scores. All PEP measures improved significantly with duloxetine and paroxetine groups (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: We think that duloxetine is safe and effective for the treatment for premature ejaculation.