---
title: Is sertraline better than desipramine for treating premenstrual syndrome?
description: Both medications reduced depressive symptoms. Sertraline appeared to work better overall and was much better tolerated. However, the study was not properly bl
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/sertraline-versus-desipramine-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-syndrome-an-open-1996/
---

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- Is sertraline better than desipramine for treating premenstrual syndrome?

Randomised trial, 1996

# Is sertraline better than desipramine for treating premenstrual syndrome?

Both medications reduced depressive symptoms. Sertraline appeared to work better overall and was much better tolerated. However, the study was not properly blinded and the sample was very small, so we cannot be certain.

 Early or limited evidence

17 women on sertraline and 15 on desipramine with PMS

## What they did

Open-label (not blinded) comparison for 2 menstrual cycles. 17 women took sertraline and 15 took desipramine. Doses were flexible, averaging 87 mg/day for sertraline and 110 mg/day for desipramine.

## What they found

Both medications reduced depressive symptoms similarly. Sertraline showed greater reduction in total premenstrual symptoms but the difference was not statistically significant in this small sample. Desipramine side effects were intolerable for more women: 4 of 15 discontinued, compared to none in the sertraline group.

## What it means for you

Sertraline was better tolerated, but because the study was not blinded and very small, the researchers say a proper placebo-controlled trial is needed to confirm the findings.

17

women on sertraline

4 of 15

desipramine users stopped treatment

87 mg/day

mean sertraline dose

## About the study

Original title Sertraline versus desipramine in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: an open-label trial Authors Freeman EW, Rickels K, Sondheimer SJ et al. Journal The Journal of clinical psychiatry Year 1996 Study design Randomised trial Participants 17 What was tested Sertraline (mean 87 mg/day) or desipramine (mean 110 mg/day) for 2 menstrual cycles Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8543554/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8543554/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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