Randomised trial, 2001
Does fluoxetine help the physical symptoms of PMDD?
Fluoxetine taken daily was significantly better than placebo at improving physical symptoms like breast tenderness, bloating, and headache. Both 20 mg and 60 mg doses worked similarly.
What they did
In this double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 320 women with PMDD (out of 405 screened) were randomly assigned to fluoxetine 20 mg/day, fluoxetine 60 mg/day, or placebo. Physical symptoms including breast tenderness, bloating, and headache were measured throughout the trial.
What they found
Fluoxetine at either 20 mg/day or 60 mg/day was significantly better than placebo at improving physical symptoms including breast tenderness, bloating, and headache. There was no significant difference between the 20 mg and 60 mg doses in their effects on these symptoms.
What it means for you
Daily fluoxetine helps the physical symptoms of PMDD more than placebo. A lower dose (20 mg) may work as well as a higher dose (60 mg), which could mean lower doses might be preferable if they work. This is from a large randomized trial.
320
women with PMDD randomized
405
women screened
20-60 mg
fluoxetine doses tested
About the study
- Original title
- The efficacy of fluoxetine in improving physical symptoms associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Steiner M, Romano SJ, Babcock S et al.
- Journal
- BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 2001
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Fluoxetine 20 mg/day or 60 mg/day taken daily
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2001.00120.x
Topics
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