Evaluation of tramadol on demand vs. daily paroxetine as a long-term treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation.

Introduction: Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most common male sexual dysfunction with many lines of treatment that show conflicting results. Paroxetine and tramadol were both reported to be effective in treatment of PE.

Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of long-term daily paroxetine vs. on-demand tramadol HCl in treatment of PE.

Main Outcome Measures: Intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and Arabic Index of PE (AIPE) were used to assess the efficacy of investigated drugs.

Methods: Thirty-five cases with lifelong PE were enrolled in this study. Baseline recording of IELT using a stop watch and AIPE was done. Patients were randomized to take tramadol HCl on-demand or daily paroxetine. Reassessment was done after 6 and 12 weeks. A wash-out period for 2 weeks was given before cross-over to the other medication. Assessment of the effect of the second medication after 6 and 12 weeks was done.

Results: Tramadol and paroxetine increased IELT significantly after 6 weeks by seven- and 11-folds, respectively, compared with baseline. After 12 weeks, a decline of IELT to fivefolds was recorded with tramadol whereas further increase of IELT to 22-folds was recorded with paroxetine compared with baseline (P < 0.05). Tramadol improved AIPE score significantly after 6 weeks but not after 12 weeks vs. baseline, whereas paroxetine increased the AIPE score after 6 and 12 weeks vs. baseline (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Daily paroxetine is more effective than on-demand tramadol for treatment of lifelong PE. Tramadol is not recommended as a long-term treatment of lifelong PE.