Formulary
Dapoxetine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Dapoxetine is a short-acting selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Dapoxetine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Dapoxetine is a short-acting selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor.
Drug action
Dapoxetine is a short-acting selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor.
Indications and dose
**Premature ejaculation in men who meet all the following criteria: poor control over ejaculation, a history of premature ejaculation over the past 6 months, marked distress or interpersonal difficulty as a consequence of premature ejaculation, and an intravaginal ejaculatory latency time of less than two minutes**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Initially 30 mg, to be taken approximately 1-3 hours before sexual activity, subsequent doses adjusted according to response; review treatment after 4 weeks (or 6 doses) and at least every 6 months thereafter, not recommended for adults 65 years and over; maximum 1 dose per day; maximum 60 mg per day.
Cautions
Bleeding disorders; epilepsy (discontinue if convulsions develop); susceptibility to angle-closure glaucoma
Contraindications
History of bipolar disorder; history of mania; history of severe depression; history of syncope; postural hypotension; significant cardiac disease; uncontrolled epilepsy
Side effects
Common or very common Anxiety; asthenia; concentration impaired; constipation; diarrhoea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; gastrointestinal discomfort; gastrointestinal disorders; headache; hypotension; mood altered; nausea; paraesthesia; sexual dysfunction; sinus congestion; sleep disorders; sweat changes; syncope; tinnitus; tremor; vasodilation; vision blurred; vomiting; yawning Uncommon Akathisia; arrhythmias; behaviour abnormal; confusion; depression; eye pain; feeling abnormal; feeling hot; hypertension; level of consciousness decreased; mydriasis; pruritus; taste altered; thinking abnormal; vertigo Rare or very rare Sudden onset of sleep Frequency not known Increased risk of fracture Side-effects, further information Discontinue if psychiatric disorder develops.
Interactions
**Other interactions (2):**
- Increased risk of orthostatic hypotension.
- Dapoxetine should be prescribed with caution in patients taking nicorandil due to possible reduced orthostatic tolerance.
Hepatic impairment
Manufacturer advises avoid in moderate to severe impairment.
Renal impairment
Use with caution if creatinine clearance 30-80 mL/minute; avoid if creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/minute (limited information available). M See Prescribing in renal impairment .
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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