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  • Title: Fluvoxamine for premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a pilot study.
    Author: Freeman EW, Rickels K, Sondheimer SJ.
    Journal: J Clin Psychiatry; 1996; 57 Suppl 8():56-9; discussion 60. PubMed ID: 8698682.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Serotonergic agents appear to be effective treatments for premenstrual symptoms in a number of small trials. The purpose of this open-label treatment study was to collect pilot information on the efficacy of fluvoxamine for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD). METHOD: Twelve women who sought medical treatment for premenstrual symptoms were evaluated. The main outcome measure was the premenstrual score from daily symptom reports (DSRs) maintained by the subjects. After a 2-month screening period, 10 subjects who met DSM-IV criteria for PDD were treated with fluvoxamine taken daily for two menstrual cycles. The mean dose at 4 weeks was 85 mg/day; at 8 weeks, all subjects took 100 mg/day. RESULTS: The mean premenstrual DSR scores improved at 4 weeks from the pretreatment baseline (paired t test, p < .0008) and remained improved at 8 weeks at approximately the same level (p < .003). Symptoms with the greatest improvement (p < .003, significant with the Bonferroni adjustment) were irritability, anxiety, feeling out of control, and decreased interest in usual activity. Sixty percent (6/10) of the subjects reported at least a 50% reduction in the DSR scores, a conservative clinical definition of improvement. The mean premenstrual Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores decreased from 19 at the pretreatment baseline to 9 at the 4-week evaluation. The main side effects were insomnia (N = 6), fatigue (N = 4), dry mouth (N = 4), and nausea (N = 3) and were generally mild and transient. CONCLUSION: These promising pilot data show the importance of a controlled trial over a longer time period to provide definitive information on the efficacy of fluvoxamine for premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
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