Does CBD Interact With Dapoxetine (Priligy)?

Does CBD Interact With Dapoxetine (Priligy)?

Yes, CBD can interact with dapoxetine. The interaction between CBD and dapoxetine can cause the latter’s levels to rise in the body. There may even be a decrease in the metabolism levels, causing dapoxetine to remain longer than necessary. This can lead to a few problems in the long run.  

There are two ways how CBD can interact with dapoxetine:

A) CBD May Interfere With the Body’s Ability to Metabolize Dapoxetine

The enzymes from the cytochrome P450 are responsible for metabolizing most drugs in the body. Some enzymes may metabolize more than one kind of drug. So taking such drugs together may cause them to compete against each other for the power over such enzymes. This action is called metabolic competition. 

The enzymes  CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 metabolize dapoxetine in the body. These same enzymes metabolize CBD too. This means if taken together, there’ll be metabolic competition between these two drugs. CBD may slow down dapoxetine’s metabolism, make it accumulate more in the body, and cause more side effects too.

Over time and with more dosage, it could lead to serotonin syndrome, characterized by agitation, restlessness, confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, loss of muscle coordination, etc. 

B) CBD May Increase the Chances of Side Effects From Dapoxetine

When substances show similar effects on the body, they’re called agonists. They can increase each other’s abilities, both the positive ones as well as the negative ones. So their interaction may cause some side effects too. 

CBD also has an agonistic interaction with dapoxetine.

Dapoxetine works by acting on the serotonin system in the central nervous system (CNS). CBD also works on the CNS. It can interact with various neurotransmitter systems, especially ones involved in depression. This includes serotonergic, glutamatergic, and endocannabinoid systems [1].  

If used together, CBD may increase the action and potency of dapoxetine. While this would make the drug more potent, it would also make it more liable to cause multiple side effects like restlessness, confusion, headaches, etc. 

Similar Medications: CBD & SSRIs

Dapoxetine is classified as an SSRI. CBD and SSRIs all share similar risks for interaction and side effects. It is used for treating premature ejaculation and depression. 

List of SSRI Medications That May Interact With CBD: 

• Citalopram (Cipramil & Celexa)
• Escitalopram (Cipralex & Lexapro)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac, Rapiflux, Sarafem, Selfemra & Oxactin)
• Fluvoxamine (Faverin)
• Paroxetine (Seroxat)
• Sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral)
• Vortioxetine (Brintellix)

Is It Safe to Take CBD & Dapoxetine (Priligy) Together?

Because of the short duration of effects from dapoxetine and the low likelihood of CBD causing any notable metabolic inhibition of the drug, experts consider this a low-risk interaction. 

However, you should always speak to your doctor about taking CBD or other health supplements if you’ve been given a diagnosis for dapoxetine or other SSRI medications. 

Is CBD A Viable Alternative to Dapoxetine (Priligy)?

CBD may be used in treating milder cases of premature ejaculation, but only in cases involving anxiety as a core underlying factor.

CBD is not considered a reliable treatment for premature ejaculation in most cases. 

CBD has shown to have antidepressant properties and may help in treating milder cases of depression or be used as an adjunct with depression treatment [1]. Thus it can help treat one of the causes of premature ejaculation. 

Some men may have premature ejaculation due to performance anxiety. CBD has anti-anxiety effects, which may help in treating anxiety and improving the performance in such affected users [2]. 

CBD may also increase the serotonergic and cortical glutamate signaling through a 5-HT1A receptor-dependent mechanism, which is similar to how dapoxetine works in treating premature ejaculation [3]. 

Hence, CBD has the potential to be used as a proper treatment method for premature ejaculation. It may even be used as an adjunct to treat milder forms of such cases. However, its use for treating premature ejaculation still needs to be studied in detail. 

What is Dapoxetine (Priligy)? 

Dapoxetine is an antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) class. Priligy is one of its most commonly used brands. It is used to treat depression. Its fast rate of absorption and elimination in the body makes it more suitable to be used in treating PM than depression. 

Dapoxetine is an FDA-approved drug. It is available as a prescription-only drug in most countries.  

Dapoxetine (Priligy) Specs:

Other Names For Dapoxetine (Priligy)?

Dapoxetine is sold under many other names. All share the same risk and potential interactions.

Other names for dapoxetine include:

• Dapotin
• Dapox
• Dapoxi
• Dasutra
• Duralast
• Ejalong
• Kutub
• Sustinex

What Does Dapoxetine (Priligy) Do?

Dapoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by slowing down the ejaculatory expulsion reflex. It can also stop the neuronal reuptake of serotonin. 

The ejaculation reflex of the body is controlled by various parts of the nervous system. The main ejaculatory pathways begin from the spinal reflex at the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral levels of the spinal cord. The signals travel to the brain and then get influenced by different nuclei located in the brain. 

Dapoxetine works by stopping the ejaculatory expulsion reflex at the supraspinal level. This occurs due to dapoxetine controlling the actions of the lateral paragigantocellular (LPGi) nucleus.

Serotonin (5-HT) levels in the brain can also inhibit ejaculation. A decrease in serotonin levels can be the main cause of premature ejaculation. Dapoxetine counters this by increasing the level of serotonin in the nerve and improving the control over ejaculation. It then helps to slow down the speed of ejaculation, allowing a longer erection.

Using it in combination with other SSRIs can cause too much accumulation of serotonin in the body, causing serotonin syndrome. 

Dapoxetine is often used in combination with erectile dysfunction medication as this condition can be an effect of premature ejaculation. So using the combination form helps to increase control over the ejaculation while making the erection last longer at the same time. It is not addictive. 

Side effects of Dapoxetine (Priligy)

Dapoxetine can cause a series of side effects [4]. Consult your physician if you experiment any of the following:

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea
• Orthostatic hypotension

Contraindications

There are some conditions where dapoxetine should not be used. Some of these conditions are:

• Heart conditions like heart failure, permanent pacemaker, ischemic heart disease
• Lactation
• Pregnancy
• Users with severe hepatic impairment

There are some drugs that dapoxetine can cause unwanted interactions with dapoxetine:

• CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers
• Monoamine Oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Other SSRIs
• Thioridazine
• Tricyclic antidepressants

If the user is taking any of these medications, they must wait a minimum of 14 days before taking dapoxetine. 

Key Takeaways: Is it Safe to Take Dapoxetine (Priligy)? With CBD?

CBD and dapoxetine may interact, but because of the lower doses of this drug, along with a short duration of effects, it’s unlikely that CBD and dapoxetine will result in any major side effects. 

If you ever experience any unusual side effects while taking them together, contact your medical practitioner immediately.  

CBD may help treat milder forms of premature ejaculation; however, it cannot replace dapoxetine in treating more severe forms just yet.  

References

1. Silote, G. P., Sartim, A., Sales, A., Eskelund, A., Guimarães, F. S., Wegener, G., & Joca, S. (2019). Emerging evidence for the antidepressant effect of cannabidiol and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Journal of chemical neuroanatomy, 98, 104-116.
2. Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series. The Permanente Journal, 23.
3. Linge, R., Jiménez-Sánchez, L., Campa, L., Pilar-Cuéllar, F., Vidal, R., Pazos, A., … & Díaz, Á. (2016). Cannabidiol induces rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects and enhances cortical 5-HT/glutamate neurotransmission: role of 5-HT1A receptors. Neuropharmacology, 103, 16-26. 
4. McMahon, C. G. (2012). Dapoxetine: a new option in the medical management of premature ejaculation. Therapeutic advances in urology, 4(5), 233-251.