A randomized prospective double-blind study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a transdermal therapeutic system delivering
clonidine in the treatment of menopausal
hot flashes. Frequency, severity and duration of the
flushing attacks before and during the 8-week treatment period were evaluated. The reduction in the number of
hot flashes was highly significant in patients receiving the
clonidine transdermal therapeutic system. On subjective comparison of
flushing attacks before and during treatment, of the 15 patients who received the
clonidine transdermal therapeutic system, 80% reported fewer
hot flashes; 73% a decrease in severity; and 67% a decrease in duration. Among the 14 patients who were treated with placebo only, 36% reported fewer
hot flashes; 29% a decrease in severity; and 21%, shorter duration (frequency, p less than 0.04; severity, p less than 0.04; and duration, p less than 0.03). Reported side effects were minimal, and no significant effect was observed on blood pressure or pulse rate. Transdermal
clonidine therapy had no effect on the pulsatile
luteinizing hormone secretion.