Duratia 60 mg

About the brand of the drug

Duratia is a drug manufactured by Fortune healthcare India and is available as Priligy in the USA. Duratia is a schedule H drug, which means prescription is required to purchase the drug. Duratia contains a salt called Dapoxetine, which is used to treat premature ejaculation in men of age from 18 to 64 years.

About the drug

The active pharmaceutical ingredient of Duratia is Dapoxetine, which is present in 60 mg amount. Duratia 60 mg (Dapoxetine) is classified under the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors which showed efficiency in thousands of male patients suffering from premature ejaculation problem. Duratia are tablets which are taken orally and come in a strip of 10 tablets each. A pack of 60 tablets costs around $ 57 in the USA. It is available easily on online pharmacies.

About the salt of the drug

Dapoxetine, as mentioned earlier is a drug used to treat the problem of premature ejaculation is male of age from 18 to 64. It was originally produced by a company called Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals, which later sold it to Johnson & Johnson. Dapoxetine is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which were originally developed to combat depression and are still drugs of choice for the same. Dapoxetine finds its use in treating premature ejaculation as well. It raising the level of serotonin in the brain, enhancing the control over ejaculation and having beneficial effects on sexual life.

Working of the drug

Talking in general about the drugs in SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), these are used to treat depression and are the drug of choice for the same. Serotonin is a hormone in the brain, whose levels are required for the proper functioning of the body. Decreased levels of serotonin cause depression and interestingly premature ejaculation in men. Dapoxetine, an SSRI when administered inhibits the breakdown and reuptake of serotonin by binding to the receptors which reabsorb serotonin and reduce their levels in the brain. Due to this, levels of serotonin in body increases and it binds to its receptors called 5-HT receptors. This increased binding of serotonin to its receptors causes delayed Ejaculation in men. Dapoxetine takes 1.01 hrs and 1.27 hrs to show its maximum effect resp. with the doses of 30mg and 60mg. With high-fat meals, the time taken to achieve maximum effect increases to 1.83 hours.

Note: Dapoxetine received a ‘not-approvable’ letter from USFDA and is not approved to be sold in the USA and still is in phase 3 clinical trials. It has been approved in Sweden, Finland, Austria, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, South Korea and New Zealand in 2009/2010. It is approved in Australia but is yet to be launched.

The onset of action: The effect of the medicine can be observed within 1-3 hours of administration.
Duration of action: Medicine exerts its effect for 1-2 hours.

Medical use of the drug

Premature ejaculation – It is a common male sexual problem which means a man achieves climax sooner than he likes. In layman language it is described as ‘coming too quickly’. It can either be physiological or biological. It can be primary which means a person has had this problem since the beginning or it can be secondary which means the condition was developed in the later stage of life and the person used to have satisfying sex without premature ejaculation. Although it is not approved for the use in the USA but still is being used illegally there.
Antidepressant – As it belongs to the family of Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are the drug of choice for depression, so Dapoxetine is also used as an anti-depressant.

Side effects

• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Nervousness and confusion
• Excessive sweating
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Sleeplessness
• Decreased libido
• Blurred vision
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears
• Fast/irregular heartbeat (severe)
• Increase in blood pressure
• Excessive tiredness
• Dry mouth

In case of severe side effects contact your doctor immediately and stop taking medicine until further recommendations from your doctor. This is not an exclusive list of side effects and contains those side effects which are observed till the present time. A person can experience none or different side effects on using the drug. On such experience please contact your doctor as soon as possible.

How to use

First of all, as it is not approved in the USA, so consuming or buying this drug in the USA is illegal. In other countries where it is approved, it is a prescription drug which means it cannot be sold with a genuine prescription from the doctor. Self-medication should be avoided at any cost and one should follow the instructions mentioned in the prescription for safe and effective results. For best results, it is taken 1 hour before anticipated sex. It is taken with a large glass of water, with or without food. For best results avoid taking large meals with the medicine as it increases the time taken by the drug to achieve its maximum effect.

In case of missed dose: As the medication is taken on as and when required basis, i.e 1 hour before sexual activity, so it is less likely to miss a dose of Duratia, but if missed then do not increase the dose next time.

In case of overdose: Overdose may lead to severe side effects mentioned above. If any of these symptoms arise than quickly call or visit your doctor.

Drugs which are known to interact

Use of Duratia is contraindicated with below-mentioned drugs
• Erythromycin (moderate)
• Fluconazole (moderate)
• Ketoconazole (severe)
• Lithium (severe)
• Tramadol (severe)
• Warfarin (minor)
• Ritonavir (severe)
• Verapamil (moderate)

When to avoid taking the drug

• Allergy - This medicine is not recommended for use in patients who are allergic to dapoxetine or any other elements present along with it.
• Heart failure - This medicine is not recommended for use in patients who have a history of heart failure due to worsening of the patient's condition.
• Heart rhythm disorders - This may increase the risk to the patients.
• Bipolar disorder - This medicine is not recommended with patients having a history of mania or severe depression (bipolar disorder).
• Loss of consciousness - This medicine is not recommended for use in patients characterized by frequent loss of consciousness and muscle strength.
• Kidney Disease – Use of this medicine increases the risk of kidney failour.
• Liver disease
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) - This medicine should not be used if anyone taking other medicine which is belonging to the Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) class. Dapoxetine can be taken after 14 days of discontinuing treatment with an MAOI medicine. Similarly, an MAOI medicine can be taken after 7 days of stopping the use of Dapoxetine.
• Thioridazine - Dapoxetine can be taken after 14 days of discontinuing treatment with thioridazine. Similarly, thioridazine can be taken 7 days after stopping the use of Dapoxetine.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - Dapoxetine can be taken after 14 days of discontinuing treatment with an SSRI medicine. Similarly, an SSRI medicine can be taken 7 days after stopping the use of Dapoxetine.
• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors - Dapoxetine should not be taken within 14 days of discontinuing treatment with these medicines. Similarly, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor medicine can be taken 7 days after stopping the use of Dapoxetine.

Things to avoid when using the drug

Apart from the above-mentioned drugs consumption of alcohol must be avoided with the use of Duratia because it may cause increased dizziness.

General information and precautions

• Alcohol - Consumption of alcohol is not recommended with Duratia as it causes increased dizziness.
• Driving - Not recommended during driving as it may cause dizziness and headache which may lead to accidents
• Pregnancy – The medicine is not recommended for use in women.
  Lactation - The medicine is not recommended for use in women.

Storage

Duratia tablets must be stored below 360C.

General FAQs regarding the drug

Can women use this medicine?

Ans. No, this medicine is not recommended for use in women.

How much time this medicine takes to show its effect?

Ans. It takes 1-3 hours for this medicine to show its effect

Can I buy this medicine without a prescription?

Ans. No, you cannot buy this medicine without prescription and also it is not recommended to do so for your own safety.