Introduction: Premature ejaculation (PE) is a sexual dysfunction with high prevalence. According to some reports, it is present in about 20-30% of the male population. Since 2009 PE has been treated with a novel inhibitor of serotonin re-uptake, Dapoxetine, which has been reported to be specifically active for PE.
Materials and methods: 59 patients have been selected among the patients affected by PE observed at the outpatient department of Urology and Andrology of the "Paolo Giaccone" University Policlinic Hospital of Palermo. Diagnosis was confirmed unequivocally in all patients, who were suitable for drug treatment and accepted to participate in the study. They were divided in 2 groups: one receiving Dapoxetine (41 patients), another (18 patients) receiving Citalopram. Patients were followed up by telephone at monthly intervals, in order to compare compliance, efficacy and side effects:
Results: Compliance to treatment was obtained in 56% of patients treated with Dapoxetine and in 61% of those treated with Citalopram. In the Dapoxetine group side effects were reported in 14.6% versus 38.4% in the Citalopram group. Benefit from the treatment was reported in 82% and 69.2%, respectively.