Treatment of premature ejaculation with sertraline hydrochloride

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of sertraline hydrochloride in the drug treatment of premature ejaculation (P.E.). Materials and Method: Forty-six normally potent men, aged 22 to 63 years (mean 42 years) with premature ejaculation were treated with oral sertraline in a dose ranging study. All men were either married or in a stable relationship. The mean ejaculatory interval was 1 minute (range 0–5 min). All men were 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 any formal psychosexual therapy. Results: With a dose of 25 mg, the mean ejaculatory interval increased to 7.6 min (range 0–20 min). With a dose of 50 mg, the mean ejaculatory interval increased to 13.1 min (range 7 min–anejaculation) with 4 men experiencing anejaculation. With a dose of 100 mg, the mean ejaculatory interval increased to 16.4 min (range 7 min–anejaculation), 10 men experiencing anejaculation. With a dose of 25 mg, 1 man described transient dizziness. With a dose of 50 mg, 1 man described some drowsiness and anorexia and 1 man experienced minor dyspepsia. With a dose of 100 mg, 2 men described erectile dysfunction and reduced libido, 2 men described transient drowsiness and anorexia, 2 men experienced minor dyspepsia and 2 men described feelings of anxiety. Conclusion: Sertraline appears to be a useful agent in the pharmacological treatment of premature ejaculation.