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Sarafem User Reviews & Ratings

Sarafem has an average rating of 8.8 out of 10 from a total of 22 reviews on Drugs.com. 89% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 11% reported a negative experience.

Condition Avg. Rating Reviews Compare
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder  
8.8
22 reviews for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder 49 medications
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Reviews for Sarafem

  • Virgo
  • October 29, 2013

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I have been on Fluoxetine (Generic for Sarafem) for exactly 2 years. This medication changed my life. I was hesitant to take it (or any medication like it) because I thought I was going to feel numb to my feelings/emotions and be a completely different person. I have been suffering from depression & PPMD for as long as I can remember. My doctor never picked up on it and I never realized how much it was affecting my life. I was moody, irritable, had no patience. I would cry for no reason, have panic attacks for no reason. I would wake up in the morning with that empty/dreadful feeling. Everyday was a struggle. Some days were much worse than others. I feel SO much better now. I really wish I started taking this sooner."

10 / 10
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155 Report
  • JecM
  • January 18, 2014

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I have been suffering from PMDD for years now. As I am getting older, symptoms like tender breasts, bloating, crazy cravings, fatigue, moodiness, crying, anger, have become stronger. I finally decided to talk to my obgyn about this and see if that's normal PMS or is it more serious.. She prescribed Sarafem and now I have been taking it for 2 months. I, the person that's against all drugs, am a changed person. Every day of the month my mood is the same.. I don't have any side effects most people above me stated. If you think at all that you might be suffering from PMDD, talk to your physician. It really helped me get myself back."

10 / 10
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142 Report
  • mamajen
  • June 5, 2014

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I have suffered from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder for most of my life but wasn't aware that's what I was going through. Just last month got diagnosed FINALLY and I am a totally new person on the Sarafem. Not different in terms of my personality. Just who I am without all the rage and mood swings. My relationships with my husband and kids is drastically improved. I did have some sleeplessness in the first week but other than that, no side effects. It has changed my life. I look forward to actually living now. I don't like resorting to medicine right away. But I really wish I would have considered this sooner."

10 / 10
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108 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Amand...
  • March 6, 2014

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I have been on medication for over 20 years to help with my mood and anxiety. Some I stayed on for a few years and then I would change. Some even less because of side effects. I went on Sarafem after doing my own research and asked the Dr to prescribe it 2 months ago. Thank goodness he did because this is the first time in as far back as I can remember that I actually feel happy every day. Less mood swings. I don%u2019t let things bother me as much as I did before. I am honestly a happier person now. This stuff honestly has changed my life."

10 / 10
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102 Report
  • Gambit
  • May 22, 2013

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "My OBGYN gave me this for Premenstrual dysphoric disorder and it took me a while to actually take it because of the stigma that goes along with taking Prozac. I WISH I had taken it sooner as it has made such a difference. I have more patience, I don%u2019t get angry as much and am happier than I have ever been. I originally was prescribed it for 14 days a month (2 weeks before my period), but it has been so helpful that I am taking it every day. I take 20mg in the morning. The first couple of weeks I had a hard time sleeping. I would wake up in the middle of the night and couldn%u2019t fall back to sleep. That went away and I have no other side effects. I know so many people who should be taking this. Someone mentioned that it should be in the water and I agree!"

10 / 10
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92 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • JS01
  • August 29, 2017

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I have suffered from PMDD for many years. Exactly two weeks prior to my period I would notice a change in the way I felt. I would become very depressed and anxious. I would cry for no reason and have little patience with everyone around me. After suffering for many years and trying two antidepressants that gave me bad side effects my doctor recommended serafem. This is only my second month and I only take it 14 days prior to menses but I feel a big difference. I don't feel as anxious and I'm not crying at every little thing. This pill has limited my PMDD symptoms drastically. I highly recommend for PMDD sufferers."

9 / 10
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46 Report
  • Jen
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • July 11, 2012

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I have severe PMDD and Sarafem has been a God send! Being 40 and already going through the change made it worse! I take 20 mg each night before bed and have noticed the total difference. More laughing less mood swings. I would definitely recommend."

10 / 10
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69 Report

More FAQ

  • Anonymous
  • February 23, 2010

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I take 10mg for just 14 days before I get my period. It definitely helps with my mood and uncontrollable anger. Before taking this, the silliest things would make me want to scream! When my husband asked me why I take it, I tell him that I take it in order to extend HIS life expectancy :-) Enough Said? Only down side: Insomnia. Worth it though."

9 / 10
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77 Report
  • Sixela
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 8, 2013

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Sarafem should be in the water. Have suffered from depression my whole life. Never knew how bad it was until I started to take Sarafem. Started at 20mg I am at 40mg today. Have tried to decrease dose or come off completely, usually blaming weight gain & tiredness on it, but it was not worth it. Very little weight gain and my tiredness never went away. I have been on Sarafem for over 10 years. If anything it saved my marriage! Take each night before bed & have the script written for the brand name...there is a difference!"

10 / 10
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61 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 4, 2011

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Premenstrual dysphoric disorder made being in my own head miserable. I have been on Sarafem for three months now and the difference is amazing. My husband has noticed that I am calmer and less emotional over trivial things since I started taking it. I feel that I am more able to cope with daily life in the two weeks of the month that used to give me uncontrollable anxiety and anger issues. I have noticed a few side effects including some loss of appetite and a bit of sleeplessness the first few weeks of taking Sarafem but the benefits definitely outweigh these drawbacks."

9 / 10
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66 Report
  • jules
  • March 1, 2012

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "At age 30 obgyn prescribed Sarafem for PMDD.. made a huge difference.. went through life changing events, a death, divorce, and was at the bottom and had quit taking the medicine. Symptoms got worse at age 50 changed obygyns (had no issues with my 1st obgyn, but just wanted a female dr) and she read me the riot act.. Pre-menopause.. and last yr confirmed menopause. It absolutely makes a huge difference in my life. I laugh every day. Don't stop taking it if you have no side effects. I don't fly off the handle still get moody occasionally, but nothing more than a little venting with a friend can't cure."

10 / 10
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53 Report
  • Anonymous
  • April 8, 2009

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I wish I knew about this medication years ago. It has been a year this month and I have had tremendous results. My husband is shocked. This was very scary for me to try because I always was told that I should use alternate ways to relieve my symptoms. My mother and grandmother suffered from PMDD and I wish they had this option. I highly recommend it, especially for those who do everything else; eating right and exercising."

10 / 10
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58 Report
  • Hill...
  • December 6, 2009

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I started taking Sarafem for my severe PMS about 2 months ago and am SHOCKED at how well it has worked for me! I take it for about 7 days before my cycle - the same week that normally I would be paralyzed with anxiety and absurd thoughts due to my PMS. The Sarafem worked the first day. What is also odd is the rest of the month was even better, even though I wasn't taking anything. The 15mg was a little too much for me -- I was WAY TOO HAPPY --- but splitting it in half is perfect."

9 / 10
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54 Report
  • Anonymous
  • January 20, 2010

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I've been taking fluoxetine (Sarafem) for PMDD for about 8 years now. I just recently was upped from 10 to 20 mg after symptoms of PMDD started to come back. That jump in dosage was enough to get me back on track and feeling better. I recommend this drug for sufferers of PMDD."

8 / 10
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44 Report
  • Tmack
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • August 7, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was diagnosed with PMDD a little over 20 years ago and Sarafem is the only thing that works for me. The side effects for me are low libido, loss of appetite, slight hand tremble. Sarafem does stop my anxiety, severe deep, depression, rage and irritabilty goes away and I can focus when I'm on it. These things effect my everyday life so the side effects are durable. The only reason I'm not taking it on a regular basis is because with work insurance it went from $40 to $700-$900 then back down to $70 with Dr.s paper to the pharmacy/insurance company back to $700+ if there are any issues. I don't care what anybody says, but when it comes to me fluoxetine doesn't work for the same for me."

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  • Lizzzzz
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 4, 2017

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "My Dr told me to take this to ease premenstrual syndrome - one week before my period - the second time I used it I felt very strange - I couldn't stop crying I called my Dr and broke down in her office. Before this I had not spoken more then a few sentences to her, she got upset with me and told me to see a shrink who put me on Prozac 3 weeks of use and I had a manic episode and was informed I had become chemically bi polar and that SSRIs can cause this to happen. It took 2 years to feel ok again"

1 / 10
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23 Report
  • Anonymous
  • February 6, 2010

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I have taken Fluoxetine for PMDD for 3 months and the results have been remarkable. I take 20 mg daily. I still get a bit down around my period but I am able to control myself. I do experience some side effects. I wake up around 3-4am and have difficulty going back to sleep, my legs are restless at night and during the first few weeks only I lost interest in personal grooming and became lethargic. I can live with the side effects. My quality of life has greatly improved since taking Fluoxetine."

9 / 10
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31 Report
  • Sherri
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 25, 2013

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Been on the medicine for a week now. Had partial hysterectomy and have been going through menopause 8 yrs now. Ovary/hormone symptoms been tougher to deal with this past 2-3 months. One positive so far, appetite has decreased (usually increases at this time). Had been taking Viibryd for about 5-6 months now; told to stop taking it while taking this medicine; luckily no withdrawal since stopping Viibryd (knock on wood) depression has not worsened. Hoping that more positive things come of taking this PMDD medicine. "

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  • Sloane...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 31, 2021

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I went at least two decades struggling with two weeks +, per month being a "different" person. I always thought it was normal to have chaotic mood swings and suicidal ideation in the days leading up to your period. At times I felt so alone and confused, but above all I was absolutely miserable. All I can say about this drug is this: I have "me" back. It just makes life easier. In conjunction with psychotherapy, I feel alive. I can "feel" my feelings and not get so overwhelmed that I shut down. I choose my battles more wisely than before. I am more of a straight line than a mess of squiggles. It is my hope that everyone who struggles with PMDD, which I was formally diagnosed with only recently, gets the sense of relief I got when I started this medicine."

10 / 10
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  • Tiffa...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 3, 2015

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I am totally shocked, but it actually worked. Extremely well. If only I had discovered this sooner I might still have a boyfriend...."

10 / 10
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149 Report
  • Babso...
  • March 29, 2009

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I cried for no reason for 3 weeks straight. Doctor put me on Sarafem (fluoxetine). Feel much better. Haven't shed a tear since. I've been on this medicine for 3 years. No more blues."

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39 Report
  • Anonymous
  • December 4, 2011

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was given Sarafem to help with moodiness and rage during a few weeks out of the month. I took it for 2 days and cannot get off the couch. I am so drowsy. I took a low dosage."

3 / 10
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27 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.