Randomised trial, 1995
Does fluoxetine help premenstrual dysphoria?
Yes. Fluoxetine at 20 mg or 60 mg per day significantly reduced tension, irritability, and dysphoria compared to placebo. The 20 mg dose had fewer side effects than the 60 mg dose.
What they did
Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Women completed a 2-cycle placebo washout, then 6 cycles of fluoxetine at 20 mg or 60 mg per day or placebo. They rated their tension, irritability, and dysphoria daily using visual scales.
What they found
Fluoxetine at both doses significantly reduced tension, irritability, and dysphoria (P < 0.001). Women on 60 mg reported significantly more side effects than those on 20 mg or placebo (P < 0.001). Of 405 women enrolled, 313 entered the treatment phase and 180 completed it.
What it means for you
Fluoxetine at 20 mg per day is effective for premenstrual dysphoria and has fewer side effects than 60 mg. The study was done at Canadian university clinics, so results may vary in other populations.
405
Women enrolled in the study
180
Women who completed the study
20 or 60
Fluoxetine dose tested (mg per day)
About the study
- Original title
- Fluoxetine in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoria. Canadian Fluoxetine/Premenstrual Dysphoria Collaborative Study Group
- Authors
- Steiner M, Steinberg S, Stewart D et al.
- Journal
- The New England journal of medicine
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 405
- What was tested
- Fluoxetine 20 mg or 60 mg per day
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1056/nejm199506083322301
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2017
Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)?
Cohort study, 2012
How quickly does fluoxetine start working for PMDD symptoms?
Review, 1999
Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder a distinct clinical disorder?
Survey study, 2001
How common is premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how is it related to other psychiatric conditions?
Randomised trial, 2003
Are SSRI antidepressants effective for PMDD?
Randomised trial, 1999
Do SSRIs reduce premenstrual dysphoria symptoms?