Sertraline is a type of drug called an SSRI, which stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It is often used for mood and anxiety problems, like depression and panic disorder.
It also helps delay orgasm in men, so it’s an effective treatment for premature ejaculation. You take it every day and it helps you last longer when you have sex.
Sertraline is an ‘off-label’ treatment for premature ejaculation, meaning it’s not licensed for this use.[1] A clinician can still prescribe it if it’s suitable for you. Sertraline might be a good choice if other premature ejaculation treatments, like Emla cream and Priligy tablets, aren’t right for you.
How does Sertraline work?
SSRIs like Sertraline increase the activity of serotonin in your brain and across your body. They do this by binding to the channels which release the serotonin, called 5-HT receptors. This makes it easier to transmit serotonin throughout your system.[2]
Serotonin is often called the happiness hormone, which is why SSRIs like Sertraline are used against depression. But serotonin also plays a role in your sex life. It’s thought that stimulating some of your 5-HT receptors like Sertraline does can give you better and longer-lasting erections.[3] This isn’t the case for every one though, for a few men, taking Sertraline can cause erectile dysfunction as an unwanted side effect. It also seems to interrupt the complex sequence of events that lead to ejaculation which is why it can work well for men who climax too quickly.
What doses of Sertraline are there?
Sertraline is usually used for premature ejaculation in 25mg or 50mg doses, but some men find they need a higher dose. You take it once a day, at around the same time. You’ll usually start on the lowest dose to help you get used to the treatment and raise it if needed. Your clinician will help you find the dose that fits you best.
Treated trusted source:
FDA (2018). Understanding Unapproved Use of Approved Drugs ‘Off Label’. [online] U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Hull, E., Muschamp, J. and Sato, S., 2004. Dopamine and serotonin: influences on male sexual behavior. Physiology & Behavior, 83(2), pp.291-307.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Joseph Palumbo on March 19, 2024. Next review due on March 19, 2027.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
SertralineSertraline hydrochloride
How to take Sertraline
Follow your clinician’s advice on how to take Sertraline. If you have any questions, talk to your clinician or message us if you’re using our service.
Take Sertraline at around the same time everyday. Try using a medication reminder app or setting alarms so you don’t forget.
You can take Sertraline with or without food.
Swallow the tablets whole, without crushing or chewing them. Sertraline can taste bitter, so try to drink a whole glass of water with your pill.
Don’t drink grapefruit juice while taking Sertraline. They interact with each other. Grapefruit juice makes it harder for you to process Sertraline and raises the levels in your blood to worryingly high levels. This can cause extra side effects.[1]
How long does it take Sertraline to work?
Sertraline starts working quickly, but its effects only get better over the weeks. The medication needs time to reach its maximum effects on your body. Most men see significant improvement in their intravaginal ejaculation latency time[2] (IELT) after just three weeks, which continues to get better over time. IELT is the time it takes to orgasm while having vaginal sex.
What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Sertraline?
If you take too much Sertraline, you might feel drowsy or dizzy. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, it’s important you get medical help right away. Get urgent medical attention and bring the packaging with you.
If you forget to take Sertraline, just skip it and take your next dose when it’s time. Don’t take two tablets of Sertraline to try and offset the missing dose. Taking your meds at the same time every day and using alarms or reminders can help you remember.
Want to stop taking Sertraline? Chat with your clinician first. Stopping SSRIs suddenly can cause uncomfortable symptoms for some people. Your clinician can help you slowly reduce the medication so you don’t notice any issues.
McMahon, C., 1998. Treatment of premature ejaculation with sertraline hydrochloride. International Journal of Impotence Research, 1998(10), pp.181-184.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Joseph Palumbo on March 19, 2024. Next review due on March 19, 2027.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
SertralineSertraline hydrochloride
Sertraline isn’t suitable for everyone, and there are some things that you need to be aware of when taking it.
Here’s all the official info on it. If anything is unclear, let our clinician know, and they can talk with you about it.
SertralineSertraline hydrochloride
Sertraline: FAQ
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is Sertraline different from other treatments for premature ejaculation?
Answer:
Sertraline doesn’t work by numbing your penis like topical treatments for premature ejaculation. If you want to preserve full sensation during sex, you may prefer pills like Sertraline over Emla Cream or Fortacin Spray.
You don’t have to take Sertraline a few hours before sex for it to be effective. It stays in the body longer than some SSRIs, such as Priligy tablets. Priligy isn’t currently available in the US, as it isn’t approved by the FDA for treating premature ejaculation, so you’ll more likely be recommended an alternative SSRI, such as Sertraline or Citalopram.
Is Sertraline similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
There’s a branded form of Sertraline called Zoloft, also sometimes used for premature ejaculation. They have the same active ingredient, so they’ll work in pretty much the same way. The biggest differences are the names, the packaging and the price. So which one you pick is really up to you.
There are a few other SSRIs used off-label for premature ejaculation. We’ve already touched on Priligy. There’s also Seroxat, Prozac, Cipramil and Cipralex. These all have different active ingredients from Sertraline. So even though they work in a similar way, one might suit you better than another.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Sertraline?
Answer:
You should avoid alcohol while you’re on Sertraline. Both alcohol and Sertraline can cause sleepiness, so mixing the two can make you very drowsy. Alcohol amplifies the effects of Sertraline on your central nervous system, so it can also cause excessive clumsiness.<sup>[1]</sup>
Do I need a prescription for Sertraline?
Answer:
Yes, Sertraline is only available on prescription. A clinician needs to check you can use it safely based on your health. As it’s an off-label treatment, they might want to see if you’ve tried other treatments like Emla cream first. If you’re interested in Sertraline for premature ejaculation, just tell our clinicians about your health and we’ll see if it’s right for you.
How effective is Sertraline for premature ejaculation?
Answer:
Sertraline is a safe and effective treatment for men experiencing premature ejaculation. One placebo-controlled study found that 81% of men described a significant improvement of ejaculation time after just four weeks of Sertraline treatment. There were no notable side effects.[3]
Another study of 46 men with premature ejaculation found that the average IELT increased to 7.6 minutes after three weeks of treatment with 25mg of Sertraline. That’s an improvement of 6.6 minutes compared to pretreatment time. On 50mg, the average IELT was 13.1 minutes and on 100mg it was 16.4 minutes. The amount of sex the men were having also increased significantly.[2] So Sertraline can really help if premature ejaculation is affecting your sex life.
McMahon, C., 1998. Treatment of premature ejaculation with sertraline hydrochloride. International Journal of Impotence Research, 1998(10), pp.181-184.
Arafa, M., Shamloul, R, 2006. Efficacy of sertraline hydrochloride in treatment of premature ejaculation: a placebo-controlled study using a validated questionnaire.Int J Impot Res 18,534–538
Last updated on Mar 18, 2024.
How we reviewed this page:
Our experts continually monitor new findings in health and medicine, and we update our articles when new info becomes available.
Mar 18, 2024
Published by: The Treated Content Team.Medically reviewed by: Dr. Joseph Palumbo, Senior Medical Adviser
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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Dr. Joseph Palumbo
Senior Medical Adviser
Joseph joined Treated in 2023, and is one of the lead doctors providing prescribing services for the platform.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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