Sertraline is Antidepressant. The original brand name for this medication, Zoloft, that Pfizer used to market it, may be familiar to you.
Sertraline is a member of the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) class of antidepressants. With millions of users in the United States and many more in other nations, it is one of the most commonly used antidepressants worldwide.
Sertraline functions as an antidepressant by raising the concentrations of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the body and brain. Serotonin is thought to play a role in the emergence of depression and is involved in regulating some aspects of your personality and mood.
SSRIs like sertraline can help treat the signs of depression and other mood disorders by increasing serotonin levels.
Sertraline is a drug that was initially used to treat depression, but it is now used to treat a wide range of illnesses. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorder are all commonly treated with it today.
Premature ejaculation is another condition for which sertraline is prescribed off-label. It’s actually one of the drugs for premature ejaculation that is sold the most frequently right now.
Sertraline and Premature Ejaculation
Sertraline is most famous for its antidepressant properties, but it also treats premature ejaculation In fact, numerous studies on sertraline over the years have revealed that it can lengthen intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT, or the average time during sexual intercourse that passes prior to a man reaching orgasm and ejaculating).
In some of these studies, men using sertraline who have premature ejaculation have significant increases in IELT.
Sertraline and Premature Ejaculation: How to Use
Premature ejaculation can be treated with sertraline in two different ways. Sertraline can be used in one of two ways. The first is as a daily use drug, meaning you’ll take a dose each day even if you don’t always plan to have sex.
The second is used as a supplement to treat early ejaculation as needed. You would do this by only taking a sertraline tablet on the days that you intend to have sex.
There is no one “ideal” way for everyone to use sertraline for PE. The best strategy is to adhere to your doctor’s advice and take the recommended dosage of sertraline either on a daily basis or as needed.
Sertraline works, but the effects don’t always show up right away. Sertraline may take several weeks to fully take effect as a treatment for PE. The majority of the men in the aforementioned studies showed the greatest improvements after taking sertraline for four weeks.
dosage of sertraline
Only a few mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and others are currently treated with sertraline, according to the FDA.
Prescriptions of sertraline for the treatment of early ejaculation are regarded as off-label uses of the drug. This means that unlike for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders, the FDA does not recommend a specific dosage of sertraline for the treatment of PE.
The majority of studies on sertraline as a treatment for premature ejaculation use a daily dose of 25 mg to 100 mg.
Are There Any Side Effects to Sertraline?
For the majority of people, sertraline is a safe and reliable medication. It may, however, result in side effects just like other SSRIs. Sertraline generally has mild side effects that only affect a small percentage of users, especially at the low doses that are typically used to treat PE.
Sertraline occasionally may result in more severe side effects. Sertraline may also interact with other drugs, leading to negative side effects and allergic reactions.
Sertraline frequently causes the following side effects:
- Having trouble falling or staying asleep
- mouth ache
- Heartburn
- Reduced appetite
- weight variations
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- excessive fatigue
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Nervousness
- excessive perspiration
- alterations in sex drive and desire
- alterations in sexual performance or function
Research indicates that sertraline can result in erectile dysfunction, despite the fact that it typically enhances overall sexual performance in men who experience premature ejaculation.
It’s crucial to remember, though, that the majority of scientific studies on the sexual side effects of SSRIs have involved patients who take the drugs to treat depression and anxiety disorders, not as off-label treatments for early ejaculation.
Alternatives to Paroxetine
For the treatment of premature ejaculation, there are a few additional options.
Cosmetic Anesthesia
Creams applied topically can lessen sensitivity by numbing the penis. According to research, one of these anesthetics, lidocaine, can “significantly” lengthen the time to climax. Another form of lidocaine is a spray that is quickly absorbed.
Tramadol
Tramadol, used to treat premature ejaculation, is an addictive opiate. This indicates that even though it can help treat PE, it isn’t frequently employed.
Tramadol also has additional side effects like nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, and dizziness.
Inhibitors of PDE-5
Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5 are frequently prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction. In cases where men have “conditioned themselves to ejaculate rapidly,” there is some evidence to suggest that they may help prevent premature ejaculation.
What to Know About the Side Effects of Paroxetine?
We can safely say that all prescription medications carry the possibility of side effects. Paroxetine is an off-label treatment for premature ejaculation due to one of its more prevalent side effects, delayed ejaculation.
Other possible side effects of paroxetine include headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, but it is thought that these will pass once you become accustomed to the drug.