A double-blind trial of four medications to treat severe premenstrual syndrome.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the efficacy of fluoxetine (10 mg), alprazolam, propanolol and pyridoxine in the treatment of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

METHOD:

One-hundred and twenty women were divided into four groups of 30 patients. Patients were submitted to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment and were given 3 months of placebo and 3 months of active drug. The active drug was pyridoxine (300 mg/day) in group 1; alprazolam (0.75 mg/day) in group 2; fluoxetine (10 mg/day) in group 3; and propanolol (20 mg/day and 40 mg during the menstrual period) in group 4.

RESULTS:

Fluoxetine in 10-mg doses obtained a mean reduction of 65.4% in symptoms, followed by propanolol (58.7%), alprazolam (55.6%), pyridoxine (45.3%) and placebo (39.4-46.1%).

CONCLUSION:

Fluoxetine in 10-mg doses presented the best results for treating premenstrual syndrome.

• Authors: M S Diegoli, A M da Fonseca, C A Diegoli, J A Pinotti
• Journal: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Int J Gynaecol Obstet) Vol. 62 Issue 1 Pg. 63-7 (Jul 1998) ISSN: 0020-7292 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9722128 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Anxiety Agents
• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Fluoxetine
• Pyridoxine
• Alprazolam

Topics

• Alprazolam (therapeutic use)
• Anti-Anxiety Agents (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Fluoxetine (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Premenstrual Syndrome (drug therapy)
• Pyridoxine (therapeutic use)
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome