Priligy
In brief
- Priligy (dapoxetine) is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK.
- Priligy is used for the treatment of premature ejaculation in men aged 18–64 years. It contains dapoxetine, a short-acting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that helps delay ejaculation by increasing serotonin activity in the nervous system.
- The usual starting dose is 30 mg taken as needed; if required and tolerated, the dose may be increased to 60 mg. It should not be taken more than once in 24 hours.
- The form of administration is an oral film-coated tablet.
- Priligy usually starts working within about 1 to 3 hours after taking it.
- The effect is short-acting and is intended for on-demand use before sexual activity, rather than continuous daily use.
- Alcohol should be avoided or limited, as it can increase dizziness, fainting, and other side effects.
- The most common side effects are dizziness, nausea, headache, diarrhoea, fatigue, insomnia, sweating, and feeling anxious or irritable.
- Would you like to try Priligy without a prescription?
Basic Priligy information
- INN (international nonproprietary name): Dapoxetine
- Brand names available in the United Kingdom: Priligy
- ATC code: G04BX14
- Forms & dosages: Tablet, 30 mg, 60 mg
- Manufacturers in the United Kingdom: Menarini Group
- Registration status in the United Kingdom: Licensed (MHRA) as Priligy for premature ejaculation in men aged 18–64 years
- OTC / Rx classification: Prescription-only medicine (POM)
Pack sizes
Priligy is supplied as film-coated tablets in blister packs of 1, 3 or 6 tablets.
Check the strength, the expiry date and that the pack is sealed.
Legal status and availability in the UK
In our online pharmacy, Priligy is available without a prescription, with discreet delivery to the United Kingdom in 9–21 days.
Priligy (dapoxetine) is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK. It is licensed by the MHRA for premature ejaculation in men aged 18–64 years.
Prescription-only status reflects the need for dose selection, interaction screening and advice about fainting risk.
Who Priligy is for: uses and suitability
Premature ejaculation with distress or reduced control
Priligy is used mostly by men with premature ejaculation who have significant distress or reduced control during sex.
Age range and common patient profiles
The main approved age range is 18–64 years.
Patients often want a medicine that works around planned sexual activity, rather than something taken each morning.
When users should speak to a pharmacist or prescriber first
- May be suitable: adult men aged 18–64 with PE and no major safety concerns.
- May need review first: people with heart, liver, kidney or psychiatric history.
- Not suitable: under 18s, or anyone with a clear contraindication.
Pharmacist advice is especially useful when a patient has only just started looking at PE therapy.
Dosage forms, strengths and how to read the label correctly
30 mg versus 60 mg tablets
| Strength | Typical use | Label check |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mg | Starting dose for premature ejaculation | Film-coated tablet and pack quantity |
| 60 mg | Maximum single dose when advised | Correct strength and prescription match |
Why there is no cream, injection or alternative form
Dapoxetine is supplied as tablets only.
There is no cream, injectable or alternative dosage form.
Matching the prescription to the pack
30 mg Priligy and 60 mg Priligy are not interchangeable without clinical advice.
How to take Priligy: on-demand timing and everyday use
Standard timing before sexual activity
The starting dose for premature ejaculation is 30 mg once as needed.
The maximum single dose is 60 mg.
It should be taken 1–3 hours before anticipated sexual activity.
Maximum frequency and why daily use is not recommended
Priligy is designed for on-demand use, not daily use.
It should not be taken more than once in 24 hours.
Water intake, food and movement advice to reduce fainting risk
- Swallow the tablet with a large glass of water.
- Avoid standing up suddenly after taking it.
- Plan ahead so the dose is taken before sex, not at the last minute.
These steps help reduce syncope risk, which is one of the key counselling points pharmacists raise with dapoxetine tablets.
Because this is an on-demand medicine, missed doses are not usually relevant in the way they are with daily tablets.
Dose adjustments, special populations and when Priligy is not suitable
Older adults and the evidence gap over 65
- Contraindicated
- Not to be used because the risk outweighs benefit.
- Caution
- May be used only with closer review and clinical judgement.
- Not established
- Evidence is not sufficient for routine use.
There is limited data over 65 years, and Priligy is not recommended in that age group because of increased adverse risk.
Liver and kidney impairment considerations
Moderate or severe hepatic impairment is a contraindication.
Mild liver impairment and renal impairment require caution and close review.
Why children are excluded
Priligy is not indicated under 18 years.
That age limit matters because the medicine is approved only for adult men with PE, not for children or adolescents.
Side effects
Common effects seen in real-world use
| Side effect | Frequency cue | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Dizziness | Up to 10% | Take with water and stand up slowly |
| Nausea | Common | Plan the dose when the stomach is settled |
| Headache | Common | Hydration may help |
| Insomnia | Common | Take only when needed, not late unless advised |
| Fatigue | Common | Avoid tasks requiring full alertness if affected |
Dizziness, nausea and why fainting matters
Side effects also include diarrhoea, increased sweating, anxiety and irritability.
The point that matters most in pharmacy counselling is fainting risk, especially with poor hydration or sudden standing.
When to stop and seek urgent help
Urgent help is needed if fainting occurs, if symptoms feel severe, or if there are signs of a serious reaction.
That includes any situation where a patient becomes unwell after combining Priligy with other medicines or alcohol.
Contraindications and interaction checks
Absolute contraindications that rule out use
| Do not use | Ask a pharmacist first |
|---|---|
| Allergy to dapoxetine or excipients | Mild renal or hepatic impairment |
| Heart failure | History of bleeding disorders |
| Arrhythmia | Seizure disorders |
| History of syncope | Orthostatic hypotension |
| Severe depression or mania | Use with St John’s Wort |
| Moderate or severe liver impairment | Other serotonergic drugs |
Medicines and substances that must not be combined
Priligy should not be used with MAO inhibitors, other SSRIs or SNRIs, thioridazine, or certain antifungals and macrolides.
Those combinations raise interaction concerns, including serotonin syndrome risk and other safety issues.
Relative contraindications needing pharmacist review
Other serotonergic medicines, St John’s Wort, bleeding problems, seizure history and orthostatic hypotension all justify a close look at the medication list.
That is why a pharmacist consultation is important before supply.
Storage
Storage at home and while travelling
Store Priligy at 25°C, protect it from moisture and sunlight, and keep it in the original packaging.
Keeping tablets safe
Keep the tablets in the blister pack and away from children.
Missed dose, overdose and urgent-use advice
Why missed doses are not usually relevant
| Situation | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Missed dose | Not applicable, because it is taken as needed | Wait until the next planned use, if appropriate |
| Overdose | Too much taken at once | Seek urgent medical advice |
What overdose may look like
Overdose management is supportive and may involve CNS or cardiac symptoms, particularly if other serotonergic medicines or CYP3A4-inhibiting drugs are also involved.
What to do if too much is taken
If too much has been taken, urgent assessment is the safest approach.
Do not wait for symptoms to settle if fainting, palpitations or marked drowsiness occur.
Priligy versus alternatives
Dapoxetine versus daily SSRIs
| Option | Onset and use | Prescription status |
|---|---|---|
| Dapoxetine | Rapid onset, short duration, on-demand use | Prescription medicine |
| Paroxetine | Chronic daily use, off-label | Prescription medicine |
| Sertraline | Chronic daily use, off-label | Prescription medicine |
| Fluoxetine | Chronic daily use, off-label | Prescription medicine |
Off-label options and topical treatments
Other alternatives include tramadol, clomipramine and lidocaine-prilocaine topical sprays or creams.
Those options may suit some patients, but they do not match Priligy’s short, on-demand profile.
Choosing between rapid onset and longer-term regimens
Priligy is unique because it is designed for quick, short-term use rather than chronic daily treatment.
It is not recommended as monotherapy for major depressive disorder, and it is not meant to replace a broader medical review when PE is complex or persistent.
For many patients, that makes the decision less about finding the “strongest” medicine and more about choosing the right treatment style for real-life use.
Delivery across the United Kingdom
| City | Region | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|
| London | England | 9–21 days |
| Birmingham | England | 9–21 days |
| Manchester | England | 9–21 days |
| Leeds | England | 9–21 days |
| Liverpool | England | 9–21 days |
| Glasgow | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Cardiff | Wales | 9–21 days |
| Belfast | Northern Ireland | 9–21 days |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | England | 9–21 days |
| Nottingham | England | 9–21 days |
| Sheffield | England | 9–21 days |
| Bristol | England | 9–21 days |
| Aberdeen | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Leicester | England | 9–21 days |
