Dapoxetine: A novel, fast-acting serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Abstract
Dapoxetine (Alza/Ortho-McNeil) is a novel oral medication undergoing FDA review for premature ejaculation, one of the most common disorders of sexual dysfunction in men. Dapoxetine is a fast-acting inhibitor of the serotonin reuptake transporter. It has a short half-life and is structurally related to the antidepressant fluoxetine, allowing for on-demand dosing. Recent phase 3 clinical trials in patients with premature ejaculation have shown dapoxetine to be effective in improving the time to ejaculation without any major adverse events, except nausea. If approved, dapoxetine would be the first drug specifically indicated for premature ejaculation, and it may offer patients a safer and more tolerable alternative compared to traditional selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are currently used off-label to treat this condition.