GPhC registered|Tracked Delivery
Dapoxetine (Dapoxetine (Priligy) — on-demand SSRI for premature ejaculation)
Active ingredient
Dapoxetine hydrochloride
Formulation
Oral film-coated tablet (30 mg or 60 mg)
Class
Short-acting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Manufacturer
Menarini / generic (UK MHRA-licensed)
“Every Dapoxetine prescription is reviewed personally. We check suitability, interactions, and whether it is the right clinical choice.”
— Younes Mekhalfia, GPhC-registered pharmacist

Dapoxetine

Dapoxetine (Priligy) — on-demand SSRI for premature ejaculation

A short-acting SSRI (dapoxetine) taken 1–3 hours before intimacy, used as part of a UK pharmacist-led premature ejaculation programme, prescribed after clinical review.

From£29/ 3 tablets

Starter dose 30 mg taken 1–3 hours before intimacy (60 mg only if you have used 30 mg before) · Consultation included · Discreet, tracked delivery

  • Take on-demand, 1–3 hours before intimacy
  • Licensed specifically for premature ejaculation (first and only in UK)
  • Doses: 30 mg or 60 mg, confirmed by your pharmacist
  • Pharmacist-reviewed before every prescription
Check eligibility

Free consultation · You’re only charged if treatment is approved

  • GPhC-registered pharmacy
  • UK Licensed Medication
  • Discreet packaging
How it works

How Dapoxetine works in the body

  1. Raises serotonin during intimacy

    Dapoxetine transiently inhibits serotonin reuptake at the synapse. Higher serotonin levels in the central ejaculatory-control pathway delay the ejaculatory reflex — which is why SSRIs as a class produce delayed ejaculation as a side-effect, and dapoxetine harnesses that effect.

  2. Fast on, fast off

    Unlike other SSRIs (e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine) which take weeks to reach steady-state, dapoxetine has a rapid absorption and short half-life — designed to be taken on demand and cleared within about 24 hours.

  3. Not a PDE5 inhibitor

    Dapoxetine does not affect erections. It is prescribed specifically for premature ejaculation, and it should not be taken alongside an ED tablet. If you have both ED and PE, we can only treat erectile dysfunction; if premature ejaculation persists, please see your GP.

Clinical evidence

What the trial data shows

Peer-reviewed evidence for Dapoxetine, cited and attributed — not reframed as a personal promise.

Randomised controlled trial

Pryor et al. — pivotal dapoxetine trials

Pryor JL et al., The Lancet, 2006;368(9539):929–937

Participants
2,614
Duration
12 weeks (pooled phase III)
Comparator
Placebo

In men with premature ejaculation, dapoxetine 30 mg and 60 mg produced significantly greater increases in intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) versus placebo, with concomitant improvement in patient-reported outcomes. Trial results do not predict individual outcomes.

Read the full paper

Meta-analysis / systematic review

McMahon et al. — dapoxetine safety meta-analysis

McMahon CG et al., The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2011;8(2):524–539

Participants
6,081
Duration
Pooled phase III / open-label extension
Comparator
Placebo

Pooled safety data across phase III and extension studies supported the tolerability profile of dapoxetine — commonest adverse effects nausea, dizziness, and headache, generally mild-to-moderate.

Trial results do not predict individual outcomes. Your pharmacist will discuss realistic expectations during consultation.

Dosing

Typical dosing schedule

Doses escalate gradually under pharmacist supervision to support tolerability. Your exact plan is set during your consultation.

Typical Dapoxetine dose escalation schedule
WeekNotes
On-demand

One tablet (30 mg) 1–3 hours before intimacy

Maximum one dose per 24 hours. Take with at least a full glass of water to reduce the risk of light-headedness. Your pharmacist may step to 60 mg after review if 30 mg is insufficient and well tolerated.

With food

Food does not significantly affect efficacy

Dapoxetine can be taken with or without food. Avoid grapefruit juice in large quantities.

Review

Pharmacist review at 4 weeks

If 30 mg is consistently insufficient or poorly tolerated, message the pharmacist team for dose review. Do not self-escalate.

Safety profile

Possible side effects

Grouped by frequency. Your pharmacist will review these with you in detail before you start.

Common
  • Nausea (most frequent)
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness (stay well hydrated)
  • Headache
  • Diarrhoea
  • Insomnia
Uncommon
  • Syncope (fainting) — typically vasovagal, related to dehydration
  • Anxiety or mood change
  • Blurred vision
  • Decreased libido
Rare
  • Serotonin syndrome (if taken with other serotonergic agents — contraindicated)
  • Seizures
  • Severe allergic reaction

Not a complete list. Read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medication. Report any suspected side effects to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Eligibility

Is Dapoxetine right for you?

Usually suitable for

  • Men aged 18–64 with a diagnosis of premature ejaculation
  • Not currently taking MAOIs, other SSRIs, or serotonergic medicines
  • No history of mania, severe depression, or epilepsy
  • No significant cardiovascular disease
  • Blood pressure adequately controlled

Not suitable if you are / have

  • Concurrent MAOI (or within 14 days of stopping)
  • Concurrent SSRI, SNRI, TCA, or other serotonergic agent (including St John's wort, tramadol, linezolid) — risk of serotonin syndrome
  • Severe hepatic impairment
  • History of mania or severe depression
  • History of epilepsy or seizure disorder
  • Significant cardiac failure, recent MI, arrhythmia, or uncontrolled hypertension
  • Men aged over 64 without specialist review
  • Men aged under 18

This is a summary, not a complete assessment. A pharmacist reviews your full health history during consultation before any prescription is issued.

What’s included

Everything in your welcome kit

  • 01Dapoxetine tablets (3 per pack, dose set by pharmacist)
  • 02UK pharmacist prescription and cardiovascular / mental-health review
  • 03Discreet, tracked delivery in plain packaging
  • 04Ongoing pharmacist support via secure messaging
Younes Mekhalfia - independent prescribing pharmacist
Independent Prescribing Pharmacist

Dispensed & Checked by Us

Unlike other online services, we don’t outsource your care. Every prescription is reviewed, dispensed, and packed by our UK-based clinical team. You’re not just a number - you’re a patient we’re committed to supporting.

“Each consultation is reviewed by a qualified prescriber within their clinical scope before any prescription treatment is supplied.”

— Younes Mekhalfia, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist

Every order

Clinical Review

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Clinical Support

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Support

Everything you need to know about Dapoxetine

Find answers about treatment, safety and the service journey.

How does dapoxetine treat premature ejaculation?

Dapoxetine is a short-acting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Higher serotonin levels in the brain pathway that controls ejaculation delay the ejaculatory reflex. Unlike conventional SSRIs used for depression, dapoxetine is rapidly absorbed and rapidly cleared — designed specifically for on-demand use.

How long before intimacy should I take it?

Typically 1–3 hours before. Peak plasma concentration is reached in around 1–1.5 hours. Take with at least a full glass of water to reduce the risk of lightheadedness.

How long does the effect last?

Dapoxetine has a short half-life (~1.5 hours for the rapid-clearance component, ~20 hours for a slower component). The clinical effect window covers intimacy for the evening, and you should not take a second dose within 24 hours.

Can I take dapoxetine and a PDE5 inhibitor (Sildenafil, Tadalafil) together?

No. The dapoxetine licence says it should not be used by men who are taking a PDE5 inhibitor, because the combination reduces your tolerance to standing up quickly and raises the risk of fainting. If you have both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, we can only treat erectile dysfunction; if premature ejaculation persists, please see your GP.

What if 30 mg doesn't work?

Don't double the dose yourself. Message the pharmacist team — they may step you up to 60 mg if 30 mg has been insufficient for at least 4 weeks and well tolerated. A very small subset of men respond better at 60 mg.

Does dapoxetine affect erections?

No — dapoxetine is not a PDE5 inhibitor and does not act on erection. If you have both PE and ED, the two medicines are not taken together, and we can only treat erectile dysfunction; if premature ejaculation persists, please see your GP.

Can I take dapoxetine every day?

No — dapoxetine is licensed for on-demand use only, with a maximum of one dose per 24 hours and not every day. Continuous daily SSRIs are a different treatment approach used off-label for PE under specialist supervision.

Still have questions? Our pharmacist team is here to help.

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