---
title: Does paroxetine controlled-release help PMDD? | Niyora
description: Yes. Both 12.5 mg and 25 mg doses of paroxetine were more effective than placebo for PMDD mood symptoms and were well tolerated.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/paroxetine-controlled-release-for-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-remission-2005/
---

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- Does paroxetine controlled-release help PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2005

# Does paroxetine controlled-release help PMDD?

Yes. Both 12.5 mg and 25 mg doses of paroxetine were more effective than placebo for PMDD mood symptoms and were well tolerated.

 Strong study design

Women aged 18-45 with confirmed PMDD from 47 centers in US and Canada

## What they did

Women aged 18-45 with diagnosed PMDD were recruited from 47 treatment centers across the United States and Canada. After screening and a placebo period, they were randomly assigned to receive paroxetine 12.5 mg, 25 mg, or placebo daily for 3 menstrual cycles. Symptoms were measured using a mood scale tracking irritability, tension, depressed mood, and emotional changes.

## What they found

Both doses of paroxetine significantly improved mood symptoms more than placebo, with the 25 mg dose showing greater improvement than the 12.5 mg dose. Paroxetine was well tolerated with no more side effects than placebo.

## What it means for you

Paroxetine controlled-release appears effective for PMDD, with 25 mg being stronger than 12.5 mg. Both doses are well tolerated. This comes from a multi-center trial, though the exact number of women studied is not stated in the abstract.

47

treatment centers

12.5 or 25 mg

daily doses tested

3

menstrual cycles of treatment

## About the study

Original title Paroxetine Controlled Release for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Remission Analysis Following a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Authors Pearlstein TB, Bellew KM, Endicott J et al. Journal Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry Year 2005 Study design Randomised trial Participants 3 What was tested Paroxetine 12.5 mg or 25 mg daily versus placebo over 3 cycles Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.4088/pcc.v07n0203](https://doi.org/10.4088/pcc.v07n0203)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)

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

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Systematic review, 2024

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Review, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

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