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.
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/
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