Premenstrual syndrome; a double-blind controlled trial of desipramine and methylseopolarnine

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor desipramine and methylscopolamine bromide, a parasympatholytic agent, on late luteal phase dysphoric disorder (LLPDD), or premenstrual syndrome (PMS), as defined in DSM-III-R. Fourteen patients with PMS were assessed both retrospectively and prospectively during premenstrual cycles. All met the DSM-III-R criteria for LLPDD. They received 3 months treatment each with both desipramine and methylscopolamine in random order using a double-blind cross-over design. PMS symptomatology was significantly reduced after treatment with desipramine and methylscopolamine bromide compared with baseline, but there was no significant difference between them in efficacy. There is evidence from this study that both anticholinergic and noradrenergic pathways may be involved in the genesis of PMS.