title: Lack of beneficial effects of clonidine in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder: results of a double-blind, randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the effects of clonidine in comparison with active placebo on premenstrual symptoms, mood scores and norepinephrine (NE) concentration, in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve women with prospectively confirmed PMDD were randomly assigned to oral 0.3 mg/day clonidine, as an active treatment, or 10 mg/day loratadine, as an active placebo, for 2 months each using a double-blind, cross-over design. NE concentration, premenstrual symptom ratings and mood scales were measured on three occasions: at pretreatment, after clonidine treatment and after placebo treatment. All patients were free of current psychiatric co-morbidity and medication use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between clonidine and placebo for mood scales or premenstrual symptom ratings, though clonidine significantly suppressed NE concentration and produced more side effects in comparison with placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with an active placebo clonidine demonstrated no beneficial changes in mood and premenstrual symptoms in women with PMDD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Robertas
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bunevicius
authors.forename: Alan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hinderliter
authors.forename: Kathleen C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Light
authors.forename: Cort A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Susan S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Girdler
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D003000:Clonidine; D009638:Norepinephrine