---
title: What medications work for PMS and are they safe? | Niyora
description: Three classes of drugs have proven effective: benzodiazepines (especially alprazolam), SSRIs (especially fluoxetine), and GnRH agonists. However, all have sig
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-risk-benefit-appraisal-of-drugs-used-in-the-management-of-premenstrual-1994/
---

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- What medications work for PMS and are they safe?

Review, 1994

# What medications work for PMS and are they safe?

Three classes of drugs have proven effective: benzodiazepines (especially alprazolam), SSRIs (especially fluoxetine), and GnRH agonists. However, all have significant side effects that doctors must weigh against benefits.

 Moderate study design

Literature review (not a study of specific individuals)

## What they did

Literature review of pharmacological treatments for PMS, examining well-designed studies and available evidence about which medications help.

## What they found

Benzodiazepines, SSRIs, and GnRH agonists have proven efficacy for PMS. Other medications target specific symptoms. However, all these medications have substantial adverse effects. Many other less-proven remedies are in common use but may have worse side effect profiles than the three proven classes.

## What it means for you

These three medication classes are the most effective options for PMS, but each has serious downsides. Doctors need to choose carefully based on each patient's tolerability and specific symptoms. Many common remedies lack good evidence.

3

Classes of proven effective medications

## About the study

Original title A risk-benefit appraisal of drugs used in the management of premenstrual syndrome Authors Mortola JF Journal Drug safety Year 1994 Study design Review What was tested Benzodiazepines, SSRIs, GnRH agonists, and other medications for PMS Read the paper [doi.org/10.2165/00002018-199410020-00005](https://doi.org/10.2165/00002018-199410020-00005)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Vitamin B6](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-b6/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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