---
title: Does alprazolam help premenstrual syndrome symptoms? | Niyora
description: No. Alprazolam did not reduce PMS symptoms compared to placebo on most measures, with only a small statistical improvement in depression that was not clinical
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/alprazolam-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-syndrome-a-double-blind-placebo-1993/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Does alprazolam help premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Randomised trial, 1993

# Does alprazolam help premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

No. Alprazolam did not reduce PMS symptoms compared to placebo on most measures, with only a small statistical improvement in depression that was not clinically meaningful.

 Moderate study design

22 women with confirmed premenstrual syndrome (20 completed)

## What they did

22 women with confirmed PMS participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial lasting 8 menstrual cycles. Treatment began on cycle day 16 with doses escalating: 0.25 mg three times daily initially, 0.50 mg next, then 0.75 mg three times daily for approximately 6 weeks. Two women did not complete the study.

## What they found

Alprazolam and placebo showed no significant differences in symptom ratings on most measures. Only the Beck Depression Inventory showed a statistically significant but not clinically meaningful improvement with alprazolam compared to placebo.

## What it means for you

This medication did not effectively treat PMS in this group. Only 20 women completed the study, which is a small sample and limits confidence in the results.

22

women with confirmed PMS

8

menstrual cycles

0.75 mg

maximum dose (3x daily)

## About the study

Original title Alprazolam in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Authors Schmidt PJ, Grover GN, Rubinow DR Journal Archives of general psychiatry Year 1993 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Alprazolam (0.25-0.75 mg three times daily from day 16 of cycle) vs placebo over 8 cycles Read the paper [doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1993.01820180069007](https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1993.01820180069007)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Review, 2015

What treatments work best for PMDD and PMS?

Randomised trial, 2004

What medications work for PMDD when taken only during the second half of the menstrual cycle?

Review, 2003

How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?

Review, 2002

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Cohort study, 2011

Does premenstrual symptom worsening change how bipolar disorder develops over time?

Review, 2010

Can neurosteroids help with anxiety and brain disorders?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗