Effective open‐label treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder with venlafaxine

Abstract

Various studies have demonstrated the efficacy of selective serotonergic re-uptake inhibitors in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). But the effectiveness of novel antidepressant, venlafaxine, in PMDD has been reported in only one Western study. The purpose of the present open-label study was to provide preliminary data on the effectiveness of venlafaxine for Asian women with PMDD. Thirty women with PMDD were enrolled and treated with a flexible dosage of venlafaxine for two menstrual cycles. Responses were assessed every 2 weeks. Outcome measures included the scores of the Prospective Record of the Impact and Severity of Menstrual

Six‐month paroxetine treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder: Continuous versus intermittent treatment protocols

“…A number of previous studies have suggested that SSRI might be less effective for treating the somatic symptoms of PMDD than for the mood symptoms of PMDD, 16 and, as has also been reported elsewhere as regards intermittent SSRI treatment as compared to continuous treatment, SSRI proved to be less effective for treating the somatic symptoms of PMDD than for treating mood symptoms 3,20 . We have previously demonstrated, in a study using oriental subjects, that venlafaxine also proved to be less effective for the treatment of pain, physical symptoms and food craving clusters according to the PRISM‐calendar than was the case for mood symptoms 21 …”

“…3,20 We have previously demonstrated, in a study using oriental subjects, that venlafaxine also proved to be less effective for the treatment of pain, physical symptoms and food craving clusters according to the PRISM-calendar than was the case for mood symptoms. 21 A direct comparison of the two dosing strategies (continuous vs intermittent) for SSRI has also been performed in a small number of previous studies. 5,18 The authors of one such study found that treatment of the symptoms of PMDD with sertraline demonstrated no difference in therapeutic effect between the two treatment strategies.…”

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder in East Asia: A Review of the Literature

“…It is thus unfortunate that there is a dearth of literature examining serotonergic medications for PMDD in East Asia. The works by Hsiao [21] and Wu [22] are the only studies examining SSRI/SNRIs for PMDD, and both of these studies yielded results in agreement with the Western literature. On the other hand, the East Asian literature did examine non-pharmacologic treatments for PMDD.…”

“…It is not surprising, then, that relatively few studies have been conducted which examine the treatment of PMDD in East Asian populations. In 2003, Hsiao [21] conducted the first such study, finding that treatment with venlafaxine in 30 patients led to significant reductions in the mood and behavior subscales of the PRISM calendar, the Zung Depression Scale (Zung-SDS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and the HAM-D. The study benefitted from using multiple assessment instruments, along with utilizing venlafaxine, a medication not often used to treat PMDD in the West.…”

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): An Enigma

“…The commonly used are Sertraline, Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, Citalopram, Escitalopram and Fluvoxamine. Neither Venlafaxine a neither serotonin nor epinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) is used for treatment of PMDD in woman with psychological symptoms [41].…”