Escitalopram for Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) in Teens: A Pilot Study

Inclusion Criteria: * Females 15-19 years of age * Regular menstrual cycles of 22-35 days * In general good health * Medically approved birth control method if sexually active * Evidence of ovulation * Meeting all symptom criteria for PMS * Signed informed consent * Subjects under age 18 must also have signed parental consent Exclusion Criteria: * Current use of any treatment for PMS. * Psychotropic or other medications that may compromise the study drug. * Pregnancy, intending pregnancy or breast feeding. * Not using a medically approved birth control method if sexually active. * Significant medical or gynecological abnormalities. * Irregular menses, any gynecologic disorder. * Any severe or unstable medical illness. * Any current major psychiatric diagnosis or any history of a major psychiatric diagnosis. * Any current or history of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, suicide attempt, bi-polar disorder, psychosis or severe personality disorder. * Use of triptans (Imitrex, Zomig, Frova, Maxalt, Axert, Amerge, Relpax). * Use of medicines that include dextromethorphan such as Tylenol or Vicks cough medicines. * Use of the pain medication meperidine. * Use of any herbal product such as St John's Wort that may increase serotonin. * Use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), pimozide or citalopram hydrobromide. * Drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 or a combination of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibitors. * Hypersensitivity to escitalopram or citalopram.