Non-randomised trial, 2008
Does duloxetine help PMDD symptoms?
In this small study, 78% of women had at least half their symptoms improve. But there was no comparison group, so we cannot be sure the improvement came from the drug rather than from attention or expectation.
What they did
55 women with PMDD took 60 mg per day of duloxetine for 2 menstrual cycles. Researchers measured their mood, anxiety, and overall symptoms using several rating scales.
What they found
50 women completed the study. All showed significant improvement in depression and anxiety. 39 women (78%) had a 50% or greater decrease in daily symptom scores. The improvement appeared in the first treatment cycle. Side effects like nausea, insomnia, and poor appetite were reported as low.
What it means for you
Duloxetine may help PMDD symptoms quickly and could be useful if confirmed in larger studies. However, this was an open-label pilot study without placebo control, so the results are preliminary and need confirmation.
50
Women completed study
39 (78%)
Had 50% or more symptom improvement
60 mg/day
Dose
About the study
- Original title
- Duloxetine for premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a pilot study
- Authors
- Mazza M, Harnic D, Catalano V et al.
- Journal
- Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- What was tested
- Duloxetine 60 mg per day for 2 menstrual cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1517/14656566.9.4.517
Topics
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