TREATMENT OF PREMATURE EJACULATION WITH SERTRALINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of sertraline hydrochloride in the d rug treatment of premature ejaculation (P.E.). Materials and Method: F orty-six normally potent men, aged 22 to 63 years (mean 42 years) with premature ejaculation were treated with oral sertraline in a dose ran ging study. All men were either married or in a stable relationship. T he mean ejaculatory interval was 1 minute (range 0-5 min). All men wer e started on Sertraline 25 mg daily and were increased to 50 mg after 3 weeks and 100 mg after a further 3 weeks. None of the men received a ny formal psychosexual therapy. Results: With a dose of 25 mg, the mea n ejaculatory interval increased to 7.6 min (range 0-20 min). With a d ose of 50 mg, the mean ejaculatory interval increased to 13.1 min (ran ge 7 min-anejaculation) with 4 men experiencing anejaculation. With a dose of 100 mg, the mean ejaculatory interval increased to 16.4 min (r ange 7 min-anejaculation), 10 men experiencing anejaculation. With a d ose of 25 mg, 1 man described transient dizziness. With a dose of 50 m g, 1 man described some drowsiness and anorexia and 1 man experienced minor dyspepsia. With a dose of 100 mg, 2 men described erectile dysfu nction and reduced libido, 2 men described transient drowsiness and an orexia, 2 men experienced minor dyspepsia and 2 men described feelings of anxiety. Conclusion: Sertraline appears to be a useful agent in th e pharmacological treatment of premature ejaculation.