Randomised trial, 2002
Does daily fluoxetine help PMDD?
Yes. Fluoxetine 20 mg improved mood and physical symptoms compared to placebo. The 10 mg dose showed some benefits but was not as strong. Both were well tolerated.
What they did
260 women with PMDD went through screening and placebo periods, then were randomly assigned to fluoxetine 10 mg, 20 mg, or placebo daily. All medications started 14 days before the expected period and continued through the first day of bleeding, for 3 menstrual cycles. Women recorded symptoms daily using a computerized system.
What they found
Fluoxetine 20 mg significantly improved overall PMDD symptoms compared to placebo. The 10 mg dose did not clearly improve overall symptoms but did help with some mood symptoms. Only the 20 mg dose improved physical symptoms including breast tenderness, bloating, and joint or muscle pain. Both were well tolerated.
What it means for you
Fluoxetine 20 mg is effective for both mood and physical PMDD symptoms. This comes from a large, well-designed trial. Using fluoxetine only during the luteal phase (before the period) may reduce side effects compared to year-round dosing.
260
women studied
20 mg
most effective daily dose
3
menstrual cycles of treatment
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual Daily Fluoxetine for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Authors
- Lee S. Cohen, Cherri M. Miner, Eileen Brown et al.
- Journal
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 260
- What was tested
- Fluoxetine 10 mg or 20 mg daily during the luteal phase versus placebo
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/00006250-200209000-00008
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2013
Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?
Systematic review, 2012
What medications work best for PMDD?
Review, 2009
What causes PMDD and what are the treatment options?
Randomised trial, 2003
What treatments work for PMS and PMDD?
Randomised trial, 2002
Does taking fluoxetine only before your period help PMDD?
Randomised trial, 2001
Does fluoxetine help the physical symptoms of PMDD?