Non-randomised trial, 1993
Does fluoxetine (an antidepressant) help severe PMS?
In this uncontrolled trial, 10 women taking fluoxetine had moderate to marked symptom relief, and 7 maintained relief after stopping. Without a control group, we cannot be sure the improvement was from the drug.
What they did
Open trial (no control group) of fluoxetine 20 mg daily in 11 women with severe PMS lasting more than 5 to 6 days per month. Ten women continued treatment for 3 to 20 months.
What they found
Ten women continued fluoxetine with moderate to marked symptom relief and no major side effects. When nine women stopped treatment, seven had lasting symptom relief and two returned for another cycle of fluoxetine with relief.
What it means for you
Fluoxetine may help severe PMS symptoms, but this study had no control group or comparison to know if improvement was from the drug or natural resolution. A controlled trial is needed.
11
women in trial
10
women who continued treatment
7
women with lasting relief after stopping
About the study
- Original title
- Open trial of fluoxetine therapy for premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Elks ML
- Journal
- Southern medical journal
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 38
- What was tested
- Fluoxetine 20 mg daily (one woman received 40 mg daily)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/00007611-199305000-00003
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