--- title: Does d-fenfluramine reduce premenstrual depression and excessive eating? description: Yes. D-fenfluramine reduced depression scores by 62% compared to placebo's 28%, and it stopped the excessive eating and carbohydrate cravings that occur befor url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/d-fenfluramine-suppresses-the-increased-calorie-and-carbohydrate-intakes-and-1990/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does d-fenfluramine reduce premenstrual depression and excessive eating? Randomised trial, 1990 # Does d-fenfluramine reduce premenstrual depression and excessive eating? Yes. D-fenfluramine reduced depression scores by 62% compared to placebo's 28%, and it stopped the excessive eating and carbohydrate cravings that occur before the period. Moderate study design 17 women with premenstrual syndrome ## What they did 17 women received either d-fenfluramine (15 mg twice daily) or placebo pills during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. They had three control cycles and three treatment cycles. Depression was measured using a depression rating scale, and eating behavior was measured by giving women unlimited access to different foods. ## What they found Without treatment, women's depression scores jumped from 2.0 during the first half of the cycle to 21.2 during the second half. D-fenfluramine decreased these scores by 62% and completely stopped the increase in calories, carbohydrates, and fats they normally ate before their period. Placebo only reduced depression scores by 28%. ## What it means for you D-fenfluramine works significantly better than placebo for premenstrual depression and food cravings. The study was very small and from 1990, so we do not know if this drug is still used or what side effects it might cause. 17 women studied 62% reduction in depression with drug vs 28% with placebo 15mg twice daily d-fenfluramine dose ## About the study Original title d-Fenfluramine suppresses the increased calorie and carbohydrate intakes and improves the mood of women with premenstrual depression Authors Brzezinski AA, Wurtman JJ, Wurtman RJ et al. Journal Obstetrics and gynecology Year 1990 Study design Randomised trial Participants 17 What was tested d-fenfluramine (15 mg twice daily) or placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0020-7292(91)90645-l](https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7292(91)90645-l) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/) 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 Systematic review, 2025 How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling? Review, 2001 What causes PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated? Review, 1997 Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS? Survey study, 2026 What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women? Survey study, 2023 What factors make some women more likely to have PMS or PMDD? Randomised trial, 2022 Does PMS50 supplementation reduce psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗