British National Monthly Index of License held Data sheet
Drug Trade name Formulary (BNF) Medical Specialities (including indication (including indication
(including indication and (MIMS) and dosage) and dosage)
dosage) (including indication and
dosage)
Progesterone Cyclogest Premenstrual syndrome PMS PMS including Treatment of the
suppositories/ (Shire) 200 mg daily to 400 mg 200/400mg once or twice premenstrual tension pre-menstrual
pessaries twice daily; start on day daily from d12 or d14 200/400mg luteal syndrome including
12–14 and continue until until menses phase premenstrual tension
onset of menstruation and depression
(but not recommended*) (200-400mg d14-
menses)
Progesterone Crinone Not indicated for PMS PMS No license for PMS Treatment of
Vaginal gel (Wyeth) One applicatorful in the disorders associated
morning every other day with progesterone
from d15 –d25 deficiency such as
premenstrual
syndrome
(1 application every
other day d15-d25)
Norethisterone Primulot N Premenstrual syndrome, PMS Premenstrual Pre-menstrual
Tablets (Schering Health 5 mg 2–3 times daily 2-3 X 5mg daily d19-d26 syndrome syndrome including
Care Ltd) from day 19 to 26 for of the cycle 5mg 2-3Xday premenstrual
Utovlan several cycles (but not mastalgia
(Searle) recommended*) (2-3X5mg d19-d26)
Dydrogesterone Duphaston Premenstrual syndrome, PMS No license for PMS Pre-menstrual
tablets (Solvay) 10 mg twice daily from 2X10mg d12-d26 of the syndrome
day 12 to 26 of cycle cycle (2x10mg d12-d26)
increased if necessary
(but not recommended*)
Vitamin B6 Premenstrual syndrome, Not indicated for PMS No license for PMS Vitamin B6 not
Pyridoxine 50–100 mg daily mentioned for PMS.
(concerns about possible Not mentioned as
toxicity) causing part of multivitamin
peripheral neuritis complex either.
Combined oral Avoidance of pre- ‘oral contraceptives may No license for PMS PMS not mentioned.
contraceptive menstrual tension have a place in the Indicated for”
treatment of PMS’ recognised
gynaecological
indications for such
oestrogen
progestagen
combinations”
Levonorgestrel Ovranette, also Not indicated for PMS Not indicated for PMS Premenstrual tension Premenstrual tension
containing ethinyl
oestradiol
(Wyeth)
Bromocriptine Parlodel Cyclical benign breast Cyclical benign breast Cyclical menstrual Cyclical benign
(Novartis) disease, cyclical disease, pronounced disorders particularly breast disease/
menstrual disorders mastalgia breast symptomatology cyclical pronounced
(particularly breast pain) 1-1.25mg bedtime 1,2.5,5mg daily ‘some mastalgia. In the
1-1.25mg bedtime increasing gradually. evidence that PMS premenstrual
increasing gradually. Usual dose 2x2.5mg symptoms are syndrome there is
Usual dose 2x2.5mg alleviated’ some evidence that
other symptoms
such as headache,
mood changes and
bloatedness may be
alleviated
Gamolenic acid Primast Symptom relief of Mastalgia Symptomatic relief of Symptomatic relief
cyclical and non-cyclical premenstrual breast of pre-menstrual
Efamast mastalgia 3-4X 40mg twice daily pain (cyclical). breast pain (cyclical
(Searle) 240-320mg daily in 1-2 or 3-4X80mg once daily Mastalgia and for non mastalgia) and non-
divided doses until cyclical mastalgia cyclical mastalgia
Epogam response obtained and
then stop or reduce dose
Danazol Danol Severe cyclical mastalgia Severe cyclical mastalgia No license for PMS Severe cyclical
(Sanofi Winthrop) 100-400mg day for 3-6 100-400mg daily for up mastalgia
months to 3-6 months 100-400mg daily for
Danazol 3-6months
(non proprietary)
Bendroflurazide Aprinox Not mentioned for Not mentioned for Premenstrual oedema Not mentioned for
(Sovereign) premenstrual oedema premenstrual oedema premenstrual
Centyl oedema
Berkoside
Hydrochlorothiazide Hydrosaluric acid Not mentioned for Not mentioned for Premenstrual oedema Oedema associated
(Merck Sharp premenstrual oedema premenstrual oedema with premenstrual
Dome) tension
(25-50mg once or
twice daily)
Acetalsomide Diamox Not mentioned for Not mentioned for Premenstrual oedema Not mentioned for
premenstrual oedema premenstrual oedema premenstrual
oedema
Chlorothiazide Saluric Not mentioned Premenstrual oedema not Oedema associated Oedema associated
(discontinued) mentioned with premenstrual with premenstrual
tension tension
500mg 250-500mg once or
twice daily from 1st
morning of
symptoms until
onset of menses
Mefruside Baycaron Premenstrual oedema not Premenstrual oedema not Oedema of Not mentioned for
mentioned mentioned premenstrual tension premenstrual
25mg oedema
Fluoxetine Prozac Premenstrual dysphoric Premenstrual dysphoric Premenstrual
(Dista) disorder, 20 mg daily for disorder (PMDD) dysphoric disorder
6 months then reassess 20mg daily (PMDD)
for benefit before 20mg daily
continuing
*BNF writes ‘Progestogens have also been advocated for the alleviation of premenstrual symptoms, but no convincing physiological basis for
such treatment has been shown.’