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.
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
Topics
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