Objective: to compare of efficacy of citalopram and escitalopram in treatment of patients with premature ejaculation (PE).
Material and Methods: Patients with PE (n = 60) were randomly divided into two treatment groups: a group receiving escitalopram 10 mg daily for 6 weeks (n = 30); and a group receiving citalopram 20 mg daily for 6 weeks (n = 30). The Chinese Index of Sexual Function for PE was used for patient evaluation at pre-treatment, at 2 weeks intervals after start of treatment for 6 weeks, and at 3 months after stopping treatment.
Results: The mean of total scores in the escitalopram group at initial pre-treatment evaluation and at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment and at 3 months after stop of treatment (21.66 ± 1.80, 29.63 ± 1.47, 36.83 ± 1.64, 43.76 ± 1.27 and 41.40 ± 1.07; respectively) were not significantly different from those in the citalopram group (21.86 ±1.22, 29.30 ± 0.91, 37.13 ± 0.50, 43.90 ± 0.54 and 41.70 ± 0.59; respectively) (P value = 0.51, 0.27, 0.27, 0.32 and 0.10 respectively). Conclusion: Daily administrations of 10 mg of escitalopram or 20 mg citalopram for 6 weeks were found to be equally effective for treatment of patients with PE. Both drugs have the potential to provide long term control over ejaculation.