Review, 1994
What medications work for PMS and are they safe?
Three classes of drugs have proven effective: benzodiazepines (especially alprazolam), SSRIs (especially fluoxetine), and GnRH agonists. However, all have significant side effects that doctors must weigh against benefits.
What they did
Literature review of pharmacological treatments for PMS, examining well-designed studies and available evidence about which medications help.
What they found
Benzodiazepines, SSRIs, and GnRH agonists have proven efficacy for PMS. Other medications target specific symptoms. However, all these medications have substantial adverse effects. Many other less-proven remedies are in common use but may have worse side effect profiles than the three proven classes.
What it means for you
These three medication classes are the most effective options for PMS, but each has serious downsides. Doctors need to choose carefully based on each patient's tolerability and specific symptoms. Many common remedies lack good evidence.
3
Classes of proven effective medications
About the study
- Original title
- A risk-benefit appraisal of drugs used in the management of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Mortola JF
- Journal
- Drug safety
- Year
- 1994
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Benzodiazepines, SSRIs, GnRH agonists, and other medications for PMS
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2165/00002018-199410020-00005
Topics
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