THE EFFICACY OF FLUOXETINE IN THE TREATMENT OF PREMATURE EJACULATION - A DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

Purpose: The efficacy of the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor f luoxetine in the treatment of premature ejaculation was examined. Mate rials and Methods: The study comprised 17 patients with premature ejac ulation who presented to the urology clinic of our medical school. In this double-blind study the patients were randomized into treatment gr oups receiving 20 mg. fluoxetine daily for 1 week and 40 mg. daily aft erward (group 1) or 1 capsule placebo daily for 1 week and 2 capsules daily afterward (group 2). The groups were evaluated according to the latent period of intravaginal ejaculation. Results: The latent period of intravaginal ejaculation in group 1 was significantly longer than t hat in group 2. Nausea, headache and insomnia were reported side effec ts. Conclusions: Fluoxetine may be regarded as a safe and effective al ternative in the treatment of premature ejaculation.