Non-randomised trial, 2003
What happens to PMDD symptoms when women stop taking fluoxetine?
Symptoms return quickly. After stopping, PMDD symptoms recurred within the first cycle after discontinuation, though not back to baseline levels.
What they did
Retrospective analysis of two clinical trials where patients received fluoxetine or placebo for three cycles with various dosing regimens, followed by one cycle of placebo. Relapse was assessed after treatment stopped using multiple symptom rating scales.
What they found
PMDD symptoms significantly increased after discontinuation. Symptoms returned within the first cycle after stopping treatment. The fluoxetine group was no longer significantly superior to placebo after stopping.
What it means for you
PMDD symptoms return quickly after stopping medication, suggesting PMDD is a distinct condition from depression that may require ongoing treatment.
3
cycles of active fluoxetine treatment
1
cycle of placebo observation
2
clinical trials analyzed
About the study
- Original title
- Recurrence of symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder after the cessation of luteal-phase fluoxetine treatment
- Authors
- Pearlstein T, Joliat MJ, Brown EB et al.
- Journal
- American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- What was tested
- Fluoxetine for three cycles at various dosages versus placebo, followed by placebo
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1067/mob.2003.207
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