Randomised trial, 1994
Does nefazodone reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome?
Yes. Women taking nefazodone showed significant improvement in PMS symptoms within 4 weeks. However, this study did not use a placebo control group, so we cannot be certain the improvement was not due to expectancy.
What they did
Two groups of women with PMS took nefazodone. The first group (N=23) had PMS without depression. The second group (N=24) had PMS with depression. They started at 100 mg daily and increased to up to 600 mg daily in two divided doses, for 8 weeks with optional continuation for up to 1 year.
What they found
Both groups improved significantly by 4 weeks at an average dose of 245 mg (range 100 to 400 mg). Of 54 women who started treatment, 47 completed 2 months at a mean dose of 319 mg daily. The most common side effects were nausea and headache, which were usually temporary.
What it means for you
Nefazodone may help PMS symptoms, but without a comparison to placebo, we cannot be sure the benefit was real. A controlled trial is needed to confirm these preliminary results.
47 of 54
Women completed 2 months
245 mg
Average dose at 4 weeks
319 mg
Mean daily dose at 2 months
About the study
- Original title
- Nefazodone in the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome
- Authors
- Ellen W. Freeman, Karl Rickels, Steven J. Sondheimer et al.
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
- Year
- 1994
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 24
- What was tested
- Nefazodone at 100-600 mg daily in two divided doses
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/00004714-199406000-00005
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