Randomised trial, 2002
Does citalopram help women with PMS who did not respond to other antidepressants?
Yes. 76% of women had significant symptom improvement and 41% experienced complete symptom remission, though this was a small study without blinding or a control group.
What they did
17 women who had not improved after treatment with other SSRIs were given citalopram (20-40 mg daily) in an open-label design. 11 women took it only during the luteal phase (the two weeks before their period) and 6 took it all month for one menstrual cycle.
What they found
Total premenstrual symptom scores improved significantly. 76% of women had a 50% or greater reduction in symptoms from baseline. 41% experienced complete symptom remission, meaning their symptoms returned to levels seen after their period.
What it means for you
Citalopram may help women whose other SSRI treatments failed. However, this is a small study without blinding or a control group, so results should be viewed as preliminary.
17
women studied
76%
with 50% or greater improvement
41%
with complete remission
About the study
- Original title
- Citalopram in PMS patients with prior SSRI treatment failure: a preliminary study
- Authors
- Freeman EW, Jabara S, Sondheimer SJ et al.
- Journal
- Journal of women's health & gender-based medicine
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 6
- What was tested
- Citalopram 20-40 mg daily (luteal phase only or full-cycle)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1089/15246090260137635
Topics
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