Priligy for premature ejaculation

Priligy is a prescription-only premature ejaculation treatment that contains the active ingredient dapoxetine. Dapoxetine is a short-acting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which regulates your levels of serotonin, an important hormone that controls how quickly you ejaculate during sex.

Priligy is available in oral tablet form, containing 30mg of the active ingredient. It’s manufactured by A. Menarini Farmaceutica Internazionale SRL and is suitable for use in men aged 18 to 64 years old.

Priligy works by regulating the body’s serotonin levels, a neurochemical that sends messages between nerve cells in the brain during ejaculation.

1. Priligy prevents serotonin from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells.
2. This increases the concentration of serotonin in the brain.
3. Higher serotonin levels delay the signals sent to the brain that trigger ejaculation, helping you maintain control and prevent premature ejaculation.

How long does Priligy last?

Priligy can remain effective for up to 12 hours after you have taken it.

How long does Priligy take to work?

Priligy takes 1 to 3 hours to work after you have taken it.

How effective is Priligy?

Clinical research demonstrates that Priligy is a highly effective treatment for premature ejaculation:

• significant improvement – studies show that Priligy can increase ejaculation time by at least 1 minute in 69% of people
• enhanced control – after 9 months of treatment, around 70% of people reported "fair," "good," or "very good" control over their ejaculation while using Priligy

These studies highlight Priligy's ability to help men gain better control and last longer in bed.

You should swallow Priligy tablets whole with at least 1 full glass of water. This helps to limit the risk of fainting when taking Priligy.

You can take it with or without food, and it should be taken 1 to 3 hours before you intend to have sex.

How much Priligy to take

The usual Priligy dose is one 30mg tablet. In some cases, your doctor may increase the dose to 60mg if the lowest dose is not effective for you. However, you must not increase the dose yourself.

What if I miss a dose of Priligy?

Because Priligy can be taken as and when you need it, there is no problem if you forget to take it. If you do forget to take Priligy and you have sex, you may notice that you ejaculate faster than you would if you had taken it.

What if I take too much Priligy?

If you take too much Priligy, contact your doctor for advice because you may experience side effects like feeling or being sick.

Priligy is a prescription-only medication, which means you will need a doctor's approval to get it. You can buy Priligy online from reputable online doctor services, like ZAVA. Your treatment request is reviewed by registered doctors to make sure it is safe and suitable for you. Alternatively, Priligy may be available on the NHS.

Can I buy Priligy online?

Yes, you can buy Priligy tablets online from ZAVA:

1. Complete a short online health questionnaire.
2. One of our doctors will review your responses and confirm your suitability.
3. Your medication will be discreetly delivered by Royal Mail to an address of your choice, or you can choose to collect it from your local Post Office.

Our online premature ejaculation service allows you to get the treatment you need to enjoy sex, without having to speak to anyone face-to-face if you do not feel confident speaking to your GP about your symptoms. You can order quickly and discreetly, and if you have any follow-up questions, you can message a doctor for free through your private patient account.

Can I buy Priligy over the counter?

No, Priligy is a prescription-only medication, so you must have a prescription from a doctor to obtain it. If you are looking for an over-the-counter premature ejaculation treatment, EMLA Cream may be a suitable alternative.

Can I get Priligy on the NHS?

Yes, Priligy may be available on the NHS to treat premature ejaculation, but you will need to make an appointment with your doctor to find out if it’s safe and suitable for you to take it, and if it is available on prescription in your area.

Like all medications, Priligy can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them. It is important to understand what the potential side effects are and how to manage them appropriately.

If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking Priligy, see a doctor straight away or call 999 in an emergency:

• seizures (fits)
• fainting or feeling lightheaded when you stand
• mood changes
• suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself

Very common side effects, affecting more than 1 in 10 people, include:

• dizziness
• headache
• feeling sick

Common side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10 people, include:

• irritability, anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
• pins and needles or numbness
• difficulty getting or keeping an erection
• sweating more than usual or flushing
• diarrhoea, constipation, or wind
• stomach pain, bloating, or being sick
• sleep issues or having strange dreams
• tiredness
• blocked nose
• high blood pressure
• difficulty concentrating
• shaking or trembling
• loss of interest in sex
• ringing in the ears
• blurred vision
• indigestion
• dry mouth

Uncommon side effects, affecting up to 1 in 100 people, include:

• fainting or feeling dizzy upon standing
• change in mood, feeling overly excited, or feelings of paranoia
• feeling confused, disoriented, or unable to think clearly
• slow or irregular heartbeat or increase in heart rate
• loss of sex drive, or problems reaching orgasm
• feeling weak, sedated, lethargic, or fatigued
• feeling depressed, nervous, or indifferent
• feeling hot, jittery, abnormal, or drunk
• vision problems, eye pain, or dilated pupils
• low or high blood pressure
• feeling itchy or cold sweats
• spinning sensation
• abnormal taste
• teeth grinding

Rare side effects, affecting up to 1 in 1000 people, include:

• feeling dizzy after exerting yourself
• suddenly falling asleep
• urgent bowel movement

Further information and a full list of Priligy side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet that comes with your treatment pack.

How long do Priligy side effects last?

Priligy side effects usually go away on their own once the medication has left your body. The time it takes for the active ingredient to reduce by half in your body is 19 hours, so most Priligy side effects are temporary and will resolve relatively quickly.

What to do if you get Priligy side effects

Most Priligy side effects are temporary and can be managed at home. For example, if you experience headaches, taking over-the-counter painkillers and drinking plenty of water can provide effective relief.

If you feel sick after taking Priligy, try to get plenty of rest and drink clear fluids until you feel better.

If you feel faint or experience low blood pressure, you should:

• make sure you take Priligy 30mg tablets with at least 1 full glass of water
• lie down so your head is lower than the rest of your body, or sit with your head between your knees until you feel better
• avoid operating machinery, driving, or carrying out any other activity that requires you to be alert until you feel better
• stand up slowly after you have been sitting or lying down for a long period of time

Priligy may not be suitable for everyone.

Do not take Priligy if you:

• are allergic to dapoxetine or any other ingredients in the medication
• have heart problems
• have a history of fainting
• have ever had mania or severe depression
• have moderate or severe liver problems

Before taking Priligy, tell your doctor if you:

• have not been diagnosed with premature ejaculation
• have another sexual problem, like erectile dysfunction
• have a history of dizziness from low blood pressure
• use recreational drugs
• drink alcohol
• have ever had a mental health problem
• have epilepsy
• have a history of bleeding or blood clotting problems
• have kidney issues
• have or are at risk of glaucoma

Priligy and other medications

Do not take Priligy if you are taking any of the following medications:

• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• thioridazine for schizophrenia
• lithium for bipolar disorder
• linezolid to treat infections
• tryptophan to help you sleep
• St John’s wort
• tramadol to treat serious pain
• treatment for migraines

If you are taking any of these medications, you will need to wait 14 days after you stop taking them before you can start taking Priligy. Once you have stopped taking Priligy, you’ll need to wait 7 days before taking any of the above medications.

Before taking Priligy, let your doctor know if you are taking any other medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal remedies, especially:

• medications used to treat mental health problems, but not depression
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, like ibuprofen
• blood thinners like warfarin
• erectile dysfunction medications, such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil
• high blood pressure, angina, or enlarged prostate medications
• fungal infection medications like fluconazole
• HIV treatments
• antibiotics
• aprepitant for nausea (feeling sick)

Priligy with food and drink

You can take Priligy tablets with or without food, but you must drink at least 1 full glass of water to reduce the risk of side effects. When taking Priligy tablets for premature ejaculation, you should avoid:

• alcohol
• grapefruit juice

If Priligy is not suitable for you, there are alternative premature ejaculation treatments available. At ZAVA, we offer:

EMLA cream

EMLA Cream is a topical numbing cream that contains 2 anaesthetic agents called lidocaine and prilocaine. It works by temporarily reducing feeling in the skin of the penis by stopping your nerves from sending sensation signals to the brain. This can slow down the time it takes for you to ejaculate. EMLA Cream is an effective premature ejaculation treatment that can help some people last up to 6 times longer.

Fortacin spray

Fortacin is a topical spray that is used to treat men who have experienced lifelong premature ejaculation. It contains the same active ingredients as EMLA Cream, lidocaine and prilocaine, which belong to a class of medications called local anaesthetics.

Fortacin works by reducing the sensitivity in the head of the penis delaying ejaculation. After 3 months of treatment, 85% of people using Fortacin increased their time to ejaculation by more than 1 minute compared to 46% given a placebo.

Priligy vs Emla cream

Priligy and EMLA Cream are both effective premature ejaculation treatments, but they are available in different forms and work in different ways to make you last longer in bed.

Priligy is a prescription-only medication that’s available as an oral tablet whereas EMLA Cream is a topical cream that is applied directly to the penis. Priligy works by increasing the time it takes to ejaculate and improving your control, while EMLA numbs the penis to reduce sensitivity to delay ejaculation. EMLA Cream is available over the counter without a prescription.