A Study of the Effectiveness and Safety of Dapoxetine in the Treatment of Men With Premature Ejaculation.

One form of male sexual dysfunction is premature ejaculation (PE), which is also referred to as rapid ejaculation (RE). An objective measurement of PE in clinical studies is the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT). This is a randomized, double-blind study in men with PE. The study consists of 2 phases: pre-randomization phase (a screening visit and a 2-week baseline period); 12-week double-blind treatment phase during which patients will receive dapoxetine at one of two dosages, or placebo, for use on an "as-needed" basis. The total duration of the study is approximately 14 weeks. Patients and their partners are expected to attempt sexual intercourse at least 4 times during the baseline period and at least 6 times each month during the treatment phase. Assessments of effectiveness include the average Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency time (IELT), as measured by stopwatch, during sexual intercourse for the treatment period (12 weeks); control over ejaculation, satisfaction with sexual intercourse, and severity of symptoms, based on questions asked at monthly intervals through the treatment phase. Safety assessments include the incidence, severity, and type of adverse events throughout treatment (12 weeks), vital sign measurements (pulse and blood pressure) and laboratory tests (hematology, chemistry, urinalysis) at monthly intervals. The study hypothesis is that treatment for 12 weeks with dapoxetine prolongs intravaginal ejaculatory latency time, compared with placebo, in men with PE. Oral tablets of dapoxetine (30 milligrams[mg] or 60mg) taken as needed during 12 weeks of treatment. No more than one dose within a 24-hour period.

Inclusion criteria

• Heterosexual male in a stable, monogamous, sexual relationship with a female partner for at least 6 months
• onset of orgasm and ejaculation occurs with minimal sexual stimulation before or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it
• premature ejaculation (PE) in the majority of intercourse experiences in the 6 months before study initiation
• intravaginal latency ejaculatory time (IELT) of <=2 minutes in at least 3 out of 4 events
• participants with partners of child-bearing potential must consent to use a medically acceptable method of contraception throughout the entire study
• participant's partner must have a negative pregnancy test at time of screening.

Exclusion criteria

• History of surgery or injury to the pelvis or spinal cord, chronic inflammation of the prostate or urethra
• taking medications that are contraindicated for participation in the study
• currently using other forms of therapy for treatment of PE (for example, behavioral therapy or medications applied locally)
• previously participated in a drug study involving dapoxetine or in another drug trial within the last month
• taken pimozide, astemizole, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors within 6 months of the start of the study.