Effective open-label treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder with venlafaxine

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 Symptomatology (PRISM) calendar, self-rating Zung Depressive Scale (Zung), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression/Anxiety (HAM-D/HAM-A), and the Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI). Twenty patients completed the trial. All patients had significant improvement of the mood and behavior components in the PRISM calendar. The effects of active treatment were marked by the first active cycle of menstruation. Venlafaxine at a mean dose of 60.1 ± 29.1 mg per day was effective in reducing PMDD symptoms. The results of the present open trial indicated that venlafaxine is effective in the treatment of ethnic Taiwanese women with PMDD.