Dapoxetine, manufactured by Pharmaqo, is a drug that can help treat premature ejaculation. It contains 60 mg of the active ingredient Dapoxetine. Dapoxetine is an antidepressant drug that has been found to be effective in treating premature ejaculation. This drug is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that works by increasing the levels of serotonin in body. Low levels of serotonin results in poor control over ejaculation. The drug increases serotonin levels and activity to help improve control over ejaculation and increases the time it takes to ejaculate.

Dosage

The recommended dose of Dapoxetine is 60mg. A physician may adjust the dose depending on the patient’s response and tolerance to the drug. A tablet of Dapoxetine must be taken orally, 1 to 3 hours before an anticipated sexual activity. The tablet must be swallowed whole to avoid the tablet’s bitter taste, with a glass of water. It may be taken with or without food. This medicine must be taken only once every 24 hours as needed. It is not intended for daily use.

Dapoxetine should only be used by men aged 18 to 64 years.

Contraindications

Dapoxetine is contraindicated to patients with known allergy to the active ingredient, Dapoxetine and any of the tablet’s inactive ingredients. This medication is also contraindicated to patients with the following medical conditions:

Heart problems like heart failure, angina, heart valve problems
History of heart attack
History of fainting
History of bipolar disorder, mania, hypomania, severe depression
Psychiatric problem such as schizophrenia
Uncontrolled epilepsy
Severe kidney impairment
Moderate to severe liver impairment

Dapoxetine is contraindicated to patients taking the following medications:

Recreational drugs
Linezolid
Lithium
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
SNRI and SSRI antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants
St. John’s wort
Tramadol
Tryptophan
Triptans for migraine

Side effects

Dizziness or lightheadedness
Headache
Feeling sick, sweaty or confused – which may also be signs that fainting may occur
Dapoxetine may cause blood pressure to drop that may make one dizzy or faint.

These side effects may be avoided by taking the tablet with a glassful of water and standing up slowly from long periods of sitting or lying position. If the symptoms start to appear, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass. The drug must not be taken when dehydrated. Taking of Dapoxetine must be stopped and medical help must be sought immediately if these symptoms occur:

Seizures
Faints when standing up
Changes in mood
Thoughts of suicide or harming one’s self

Other side effects associated with Dapoxetine include:

Anxiety, agitation, irritability
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty concentrating
Reduced libido
Feeling tired or sleepy
Erectile dysfunction
Nasal congestion
Ringing in the ears
Blurred vision
Flushing
Tremor
Gastrointestinal disturbances

Rare side effects include:

Suddenly falling asleep
Urgent need in emptying bowel
Dizziness after exertion

Warnings and Precautions

Driving, operating hazardous machineries or doing any unsafe tasks must be avoided while taking this medication until it is known how the body reacts to the drug or how the drug affects performance. Dapoxetine must be used in caution to patients with the following medical conditions:

Mild to moderate kidney impairment
Mild liver impairment
History of low blood pressure
Epilepsy
Erectile dysfunction
History of bleeding disorder or clotting problems
At risk or have high pressure in the eye
Dehydration due to diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating and other factors

Dapoxetine may interact with the following medications. Caution must be observed.

Blood thinners such as warfarin
Alpha-blockers, nitrates, and some drugs for blood pressure and chest pain
Some antifungals
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Some HIV medications
Some antibiotics
Aprepitant
Medicines for mental health problems

Dapoxetine and beverages

Drinking alcohol must be avoided while taking Dapoxetine for it may worsen side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty in concentrating. It may also increase the risk of injury from fainting and from other side effects.
Caution is advised when consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice as it mildly affects the absorption and clearance of Dapoxetine.