Dapoxetine (Priligy) in the Philippines

Dapoxetine is the only tablet developed from the start as a treatment for premature ejaculation (PE). This page explains how it works, what results to expect, who should not take it, and how to get it legally in the Philippines. For the wider picture, including non-medicine options, read our premature ejaculation guide or go back to the lasting longer section.

What is dapoxetine?

Dapoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) designed for premature ejaculation. Priligy, made by the Menarini group, is the best-known brand.

Other SSRIs, such as sertraline or paroxetine, are antidepressants that stay in the body for a long time and are taken daily. Dapoxetine was developed to do the opposite: it is absorbed quickly and cleared quickly, so it can be taken only when needed. It was first authorised in several European countries in 2009, and the European Medicines Agency reviewed it through a referral procedure that set common product information across the EU.

Its approved use in Europe is narrow: men aged 18 to 64 with diagnosed PE who meet all of these criteria:

• an ejaculation time under two minutes after penetration;
• ejaculation with minimal stimulation, before the man wishes, on most occasions;
• marked personal distress or relationship difficulty because of it;
• poor control over ejaculation;
• PE in most attempts over the previous six months.

The label is explicit that it should not be prescribed to men who do not have a PE diagnosis, simply to delay ejaculation.

How does dapoxetine work?

It raises serotonin activity in the parts of the brain and spinal cord that control the ejaculation reflex. More serotonin signalling delays the reflex and gives a greater sense of control.

According to the European product information, dapoxetine reaches its peak level in the blood about one to two hours after a tablet. Levels then fall quickly, with an initial half-life of about 1.5 hours, and by 24 hours they are under 5% of the peak. That fast clearance is the reason it can be used on demand, unlike daily antidepressants.

Does dapoxetine work?

Yes, for many men, though the effect is moderate rather than dramatic. In a 24-week trial of 1,162 men with PE, the average time at the end was 2.9 minutes with 30 mg and 3.3 minutes with 60 mg, compared with 1.7 minutes with placebo.

The same trial shows the spread of responses. With the 30 mg tablet, 44% of men reached an average time of at least two minutes, compared with 23% on placebo. Men also reported better control and less distress. The European label asks the doctor to review whether treatment is worth continuing after the first four weeks (or at least six doses), and again at least every six months.

Results vary between men, and dapoxetine works best when combined with behavioural techniques or pelvic floor training.

What strengths does dapoxetine come in?

Dapoxetine exists as 30 mg and 60 mg film-coated tablets. Your doctor decides whether it suits you, which strength, and how often.

Side effects are more frequent with the higher strength, which is one reason the choice is left to your doctor. Not every country, or every Philippine pharmacy branch, stocks both strengths, so ask your pharmacist before you travel.

Is dapoxetine available in the Philippines?

Dapoxetine is listed in MIMS Philippines, the drug reference most Philippine doctors use, and it is a prescription medicine here. You need a valid prescription from a PRC-licensed doctor, and pharmacies dispense it against that prescription.

Before using any dapoxetine product, search its exact name and maker on the FDA Philippines verification portal. Registration status can change, and many products advertised online are not registered. Be especially wary of:

• tablets that combine dapoxetine with sildenafil or tadalafil, which are not authorised in Europe and remove your doctor's ability to adjust either medicine;
• products sold through social media, marketplaces or chat apps, where there is no pharmacist and no way to check what is inside;
• "herbal" delay capsules, which are not treatments for PE and have sometimes been found to contain hidden drugs.

Our guide to spotting fake ED pills explains the warning signs.

How much is dapoxetine in the Philippines?

We have not yet verified a peso price for dapoxetine (Priligy). We are checking with pharmacies and will add it once a price has been confirmed and dated.

We only publish prices we can source and date. For every ED and PE medicine price we have confirmed, see the medicine prices page. If cost is a concern, mention it to your doctor: non-medicine options such as pelvic floor training cost nothing, and they are covered in our premature ejaculation guide.

The safety box above covers PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil and tadalafil, which many men with PE also use. Dapoxetine has its own, separate list of reasons not to take it.

Who should not take dapoxetine?

Men with significant heart problems, a history of fainting, certain mental health conditions or moderate to severe liver disease should not take dapoxetine. Several common medicines also rule it out.

Based on the European product information (Summary of Product Characteristics), dapoxetine must not be used if you:

• have heart failure, a heart rhythm or conduction problem (such as AV block or sick sinus syndrome) without a pacemaker, significant coronary heart disease or significant heart valve disease;
• have a history of fainting (syncope);
• have a history of mania, bipolar disorder or severe depression;
• take, or recently stopped, an MAOI antidepressant, or thioridazine;
• take another SSRI, an SNRI or a tricyclic antidepressant, or other serotonin-acting products such as tramadol, triptans for migraine, linezolid, lithium, L-tryptophan or St John's wort;
• take strong CYP3A4 blockers, including ketoconazole, itraconazole and several HIV medicines such as ritonavir;
• have moderate or severe liver impairment;
• are allergic to dapoxetine or any ingredient in the tablet.

It is also not recommended with severe kidney impairment, and needs extra caution with unstable epilepsy, bleeding disorders or blood thinners, raised eye pressure or a risk of angle-closure glaucoma, and medicines that lower blood pressure, such as alpha blockers for the prostate and nitrates. Men with signs of depression should be assessed before starting.

Before prescribing, the label asks the doctor to take a careful history of fainting or dizziness on standing and to check blood pressure and pulse lying down and standing. This is one reason a proper consultation matters, not just a quick prescription.

What are the side effects of dapoxetine?

The most common are nausea, dizziness and headache, and they are more frequent at 60 mg than at 30 mg. In the trials, nausea affected about 11% of men on 30 mg and 22% on 60 mg.

Other common side effects include diarrhoea, trouble sleeping, tiredness, anxiety, blurred vision, flushing and a blocked nose. The most important rare one is fainting, sometimes preceded by dizziness, nausea or sweating. The European label advises:

• if you feel lightheaded, lie down with your head low, or sit with your head between your knees, until it passes;
• avoid driving or using machinery if you feel dizzy or drowsy;
• avoid alcohol, which increases dizziness and the risk of fainting;
• avoid recreational drugs, some of which can cause serious reactions with dapoxetine.

Every medicine has side effects. Tell your doctor about any that bother you, and get urgent care if you faint, have chest pain or a fast or irregular heartbeat, or feel confused or agitated with fever and muscle stiffness.

Can I take dapoxetine if I also have erectile dysfunction?

Talk to your doctor first, because ED is usually treated before PE. The European label also says dapoxetine should not be used in men taking PDE5 inhibitors, because the combination may lower blood pressure when you stand up.

Guidelines recommend treating ED first, since PE often improves once erections are reliable. If you need a PDE5 inhibitor, see our guides to sildenafil and tadalafil, and the verified sildenafil prices at Philippine pharmacies. Whether you should use either medicine with dapoxetine is a decision for your doctor.

How do I get a dapoxetine prescription in the Philippines?

See a licensed doctor in person or by teleconsultation. They will confirm that you have PE, check your heart, blood pressure, mood and current medicines, and decide whether dapoxetine or another option suits you.

Bring a list of everything you take, including supplements, migraine medicines and anything for mood or pain. If you prefer privacy, our guide to online ED consultation in the Philippines explains how teleconsultations work.

Frequently asked questions

Is dapoxetine available in the Philippines?+

Dapoxetine is listed in MIMS Philippines and is a prescription medicine here. Stock varies by pharmacy, so ask your pharmacist, and check the exact product on the FDA Philippines verification portal.

How much is dapoxetine (Priligy) in the Philippines?+

We have not yet verified a peso price for dapoxetine and are checking with pharmacies. Our prices page lists every ED and PE medicine price we have confirmed, with the date it was checked.

Can I use dapoxetine every day?+

No. Dapoxetine is designed for on-demand use before anticipated sex, not as a daily medicine. Your doctor decides the strength and how often, and the label limits use to no more than once in 24 hours.

Can I drink alcohol with dapoxetine?+

The European label advises against it. Alcohol increases dizziness and drowsiness and makes fainting more likely while dapoxetine is in your system.

Can dapoxetine be taken with sildenafil or tadalafil?+

The European label says dapoxetine should not be used in men taking PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil or tadalafil, because of a risk of low blood pressure on standing. Combination tablets sold online are not authorised in Europe. Ask your doctor.