Reviewed by Dr Samantha Miller MB ChB
(2017, University of Glasgow)
GMC number: 7561464
Information last reviewed 22/05/2021
Priligy (dapoxetine) is an oral selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication used to treat premature ejaculation. When taken 1–3 hours before sexual activity, Priligy can delay ejaculation by a few minutes or longer.
Priligy contains the active ingredient dapoxetine, a type of medication known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). While SSRIs are usually used to treat depression, they also have the effect of delaying ejaculation, and dapoxetine is a short-acting SSRI developed specifically for this use. It works by increasing the activity of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps pass messages between nerve cells, including those responsible for ejaculation. Increasing serotonin activity increases the time it takes to ejaculate and helps the man control his ejaculation.
Priligy should be taken 1–3 hours before sexual activity is expected to begin, as it reaches its peak concentration after around 1–2 hours after ingestion.
Priligy’s effects typically last for up to 3 hours, however may last longer in some people.
Different couples have different expectations of performance time, so results on the effectiveness of Priligy vary. Priligy is considered to be the most popular treatment for premature ejaculation, with 58% of users reporting increased control over their ejaculation time with a dose of 30mg in clinical trials.
Dose |
1 tablet, taken once per day, an hour before sexual intercourse |
Type of Medicine | SSRI (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor) |
Mechanism |
Thought to inhibit the serotonin transporter, altering the ejaculation reflex |
Available Size |
3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 15 or 18 |
Available Strengths |
30mg or 60mg |
Active Ingredient |
dapoxetine hydrochloride |
Price |
From £6.90 per tablet |
Side Effects |
Can include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, irritability, anxiety, sweating, flushing, diarrhoea |
The active ingredient in Priligy is dapoxetine.
The inactive ingredients in Priligy are lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), triacetin, iron oxide black (E172) and iron oxide yellow (E172).
The recommended dose of Priligy is 30mg no more than once every 24 hours. If this is not strong enough, your doctor may increase your dose to 60mg. You should not take more than one tablet in a 24-hour period.
Swallow one Priligy tablet whole with water, about 1–3 hours before sexual activity. Check-in with your doctor after 4 weeks of treatment, or after the first 6 doses.
You should take Priligy 1–3 hours before sexual activity. Do not take Priligy more than once every 24 hours.
A doctor will usually begin by prescribing Priligy at 30mg. If you feel this is not strong enough for you, tell your doctor and they may increase your dose to 60mg. Do not take a higher dose of Priligy without consulting a doctor or pharmacist first.
If you take too much Priligy, contact a doctor or pharmacist. You may feel nauseous or experience some sickness.
While suffering from both premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction is rare, it is possible. By increasing the activity of serotonin, Priligy works by inhibiting the ejaculatory reflex and therefore, should not affect a man’s ability to achieve an erection. It can, therefore, be used in combination with PDE-5 inhibitors such as Viagra, used to treat erectile dysfunction, with neither medication inhibiting the others. However, you should inform your doctor of any other medications you are taking before starting Priligy. PDE-5 inhibitors do carry a small risk of lowering blood pressure upon standing up, which can be increased by taking Priligy.
Like all medications, Priligy can cause side effects in some patients. If you experience any of the following rare but serious side effects, stop taking Priligy and seek medical help immediately:
More than 1 in 10 men may experience dizziness, headaches or nausea.
Other common side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10 men, include:
Uncommon side effects, affecting up to 1 in 100 men, include:
Rarely (up to 1 in 1 000 cases), men may experience dizziness following exertion, sudden onset of sleep, or urgency of bowel action.
Do NOT take Priligy if:
Do NOT take Priligy at the same time as, or within 14 days of taking any of the following medicines:
Before taking Priligy, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications, including those purchased over the counter without a prescription. In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:
You should avoid drinking alcohol when taking this medication, as this can increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, risk of injury from fainting, sleepiness, and slow reactions. Alcohol can also affect your ability to achieve erection and can contribute to ejaculation problems.
While Priligy is an oral medication, EMLA cream is a numbing agent containing lidocaine and prilocaine that is applied topically to the head of the penis to reduce sensitivity. It is not licenced specifically for premature ejaculation but is widely used in this capacity and is available prescription-free. Priligy, which is an SSRI, requires a prescription. If you are using EMLA cream, be mindful that this can also cause loss of sensation for your partner, so you might wish to use a condom.
Priligy is licenced in the UK as a prescription-only medication. It should, therefore, only be purchased from a registered pharmacy, such as Dr Felix. When buying products prescription-free from an unlicensed and most likely illegal source, you can never be sure if it is genuine.
You can use EMLA cream along with Priligy. It’s best, however, to try each treatment separately, to see which is most effective. If EMLA cream does not seem to work for you, it is best not to continue using it. EMLA cream can cause localised side effects and may be transferred to your sexual partner and limit their sensation of pleasure.
Priligy is thought to be effective in roughly 58% of users. However, different couples have different expectations of sexual performance time and satisfaction with the results of Priligy therefore varies.
Prices from:
We’re a fully regulated pharmacy, with qualified doctors and happy customers
I can honestly state that since i have been ordering from Dr Felix, I have always received my item within 3 days of placing my order if not even quicker.
Ricky
Quick and discreet
Excellent service. Quick, reliable and efficient. Always helpful if there are any mishaps. Highly recommended!!
Steve