Randomised trial, 2008
Does taking more antidepressant just before the period help depression that worsens then?
Yes. Women who increased sertraline dose during the premenstrual phase showed no worsening of depression at that time, while women on placebo still had significantly worse depression before their period.
What they did
9 women with depression that worsened before their period despite taking constant-dose sertraline received either a dose increase or placebo during the premenstrual phase in a double-blind crossover. Depression was measured twice monthly using two different rating scales.
What they found
With variable dosing, depression scores showed no significant difference between follicular and luteal phases (p=0.32 and p=0.53). With placebo, the luteal phase still showed significantly worse depression (p=0.02). Sertraline blood levels were higher during the luteal phase when the dose was increased.
What it means for you
Temporarily increasing antidepressant dose before the period can eliminate worsening depression at that time. Main limit: very small sample of 9 women.
9
women studied
p=0.32
Beck Depression Inventory with variable dosing
p=0.02
Hamilton scale with placebo
About the study
- Original title
- Variable dosing of sertraline for premenstrual exacerbation of depression: a pilot study
- Authors
- Miller MN, Newell CL, Miller BE et al.
- Journal
- Journal of women's health (2002)
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 9
- What was tested
- Sertraline dose increase vs placebo during luteal phase
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2007.0491
Topics
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