Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of Jiawei Xiaoyao pill (，JXP) in the treatment of symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Methods: A total of 144 regularly menstruating women with PMS were recruited at 8 sites in China from August 2017 to December 2018, and randomized to receive either a JXP or a matching placebo (12 g/d, 6 g twice a day) for 3 menstrual cycles. The primary indicator was the reduced Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) scores in the luteal phase after 3 months of treatment. The safety outcomes included clinical adverse events (AEs), adverse reactions (ARs), changes in vital signs, and laboratory tests.
Results: JXP surpassed the placebo in reducing DRSP scores (psychological/somatic dysfunction) in the luteal phase over 3 menstrual cycles of treatment (PFAS = 0.002, PPPS = 0.001). Additionally, there were no significant differences in the incidence of AEs, severe AEs, withdrawal due to AEs and ARs between the two groups (all P > 0.05), and no clinically significant adverse medical events related to the test drug observed.
Conclusions: JXP was superior to the placebo in relieving the symptoms associated with PMS, which signified that JXP may be effective, safe, and well-tolerated as an alternative therapy.
Keywords: Jiawei Xiaoyao pill; double-blind method; premenstrual syndrome; randomized controlled trial.