Escitalopram treatment of menopausal hot flashes.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 10 and 20 mg/day of escitalopram on objectively recorded hot flashes and on the rectal temperature threshold for sweating.

METHODS:

Two studies were performed: 16 women received 10 mg/day and 26 women received 20 mg/day escitalopram for 8 weeks. They were randomly assigned in equal numbers to receive active drug or placebo in a double-blind fashion. Hot flash frequency was measured with an ambulatory recorder during the first 3 weeks and during the 8th week of the study. Rectal temperature threshold for sweating was measured during the 1st and 8th weeks of the study using published methods.

RESULTS:

In the first study, there were no significant effects whatsoever for any measure. In the second study, the escitalopram group showed an average decline in hot flash frequency of 14.4%, whereas the placebo group showed an average increase of 6.7% (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant effects across time for either group. There were no significant effects whatsoever for rectal temperature sweating thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS:

Escitalopram at 10 or 20 mg/day is not effective in the treatment of menopausal hot flashes.

• Authors: Robert R Freedman, Michael L Kruger, Manuel E Tancer
• Journal: Menopause (New York, N.Y.) (Menopause) Vol. 18 Issue 8 Pg. 893-6 (Aug 2011) ISSN: 1530-0374 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21540755 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Citalopram

Topics

• Citalopram (administration & dosage)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Hot Flashes (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Humans
• Menopause (drug effects)
• Quality of Life (psychology)
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (administration & dosage)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome
• Women's Health