Randomised trial, 1997
Does sertraline taken only during the luteal phase work as well as taking it all month?
In women who responded to sertraline taken all month, taking it only during the luteal phase worked as well for improving depression and other PMDD symptoms. The evidence is moderate but limited because only 15 women were studied and some dropped out of the placebo phase.
What they did
Single-blind then double-blind crossover study. 15 women with dysphoric PMS and PMDD took sertraline 100 mg per day for one full cycle to see who would respond. The 11 women who improved were then randomly assigned to receive sertraline 100 mg per day or placebo, each given only during the luteal phase in two separate pairs of cycles (four cycles total).
What they found
11 of 14 women (79 percent) who completed the first phase improved with sertraline for the full cycle. In the double-blind crossover, sertraline given only during the luteal phase produced significant improvements in depression, impairment, and overall ratings compared with placebo. It was equally effective as full-cycle sertraline. Three women dropped out during the placebo phase due to non-response.
What it means for you
Taking sertraline only during the problem week or two may work as well as taking it all month, which could reduce side effects and cost. This is a small study from 1997 where some women dropped out of the placebo group, making the results less certain. Larger studies are needed to confirm.
15
women with dysphoric PMS enrolled
11
women who responded (79%) and completed the double-blind study
100 mg/day
dose of sertraline
About the study
- Original title
- Intermittent luteal phase sertraline treatment of dysphoric premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Halbreich U, Smoller JW
- Journal
- The Journal of clinical psychiatry
- Year
- 1997
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 15
- What was tested
- Sertraline 100 mg per day during luteal phase only versus placebo during luteal phase
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4088/jcp.v58n0905
Topics
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