--- title: Does quetiapine help women with PMS/PMDD who don't respond well to antidepressants? description: This very small pilot study suggests quetiapine as an add-on to antidepressants may help reduce mood-related symptoms like anxiety and irritability, but the e url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/double-blind-placebo-controlled-pilot-study-of-adjunctive-quetiapine-sr-in-the-2015/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does quetiapine help women with PMS/PMDD who don't respond well to antidepressants? Randomised trial, 2015 # Does quetiapine help women with PMS/PMDD who don't respond well to antidepressants? This very small pilot study suggests quetiapine as an add-on to antidepressants may help reduce mood-related symptoms like anxiety and irritability, but the evidence is weak because only 20 women were studied. Early or limited evidence 20 women with PMS/PMDD inadequately helped by antidepressants ## What they did 20 women with PMS/PMDD who were not getting enough symptom relief from antidepressants were randomly assigned to quetiapine (starting at 25mg) or placebo during the luteal phase only. The study lasted 3 months, with symptom diagnosis confirmed by 2 months of daily tracking before the trial started. ## What they found Women taking quetiapine showed greater reductions in mood symptoms during the luteal phase compared to placebo, with the most improvement in mood lability, anxiety, and irritability. The researchers noted the study was underpowered to reach firm conclusions. ## What it means for you Quetiapine added to antidepressants may help women whose symptoms aren't adequately controlled by antidepressants alone, especially for anxiety and irritability. However, this is a very small pilot study with only 20 women, making it impossible to be confident in the results. Much larger studies are needed. 20 women enrolled 3 months of treatment 25 mg starting dose of quetiapine ## About the study Original title Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of adjunctive quetiapine SR in the treatment of PMS/PMDD Authors Jackson C, Pearson B, Girdler S et al. Journal Human psychopharmacology Year 2015 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Quetiapine sustained-release starting at 25mg during the luteal phase Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/hup.2494](https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2494) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/) 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. ## Related studies Survey study, 2001 How common is premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how is it related to other psychiatric conditions? Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Randomised trial, 2017 Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)? Review, 2025 How does the menstrual cycle affect psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety? Randomised trial, 2023 What does research show about PMDD neurochemistry? Case report, 2013 Can severe mood changes around a period be an early sign of bipolar disorder? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗