Escitalopram treatment of menopausal hot flashes

Freedman, Robert R.; Krüger, Michael; Tancer, Manuel E.

doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e31820ccae9

Cited by 19 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…A recent study of 205 women given 10–20 mg/day of escitalopram found small but significant reductions in reported HF frequency and severity [65]. However, another recent study using an objective outcome measure (ambulatory HF recording) found no such effects using the same doses [66].…”

Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Menopausal hot flashes: Mechanisms, endocrinology, treatment

Freedman¹

2014

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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224

149

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Hot flashes (HFs) are a rapid and exaggerated heat dissipation response, consisting of profuse sweating, peripheral vasodilation, and feelings of intense, internal heat. They are triggered by small elevations in core body temperature (Tc) acting within a greatly reduced thermoneutral zone, i.e., the Tc region between the upper (sweating) and lower (shivering) thresholds. This is due in part, but not entirely, to estrogen depletion at menopause. Elevated central sympathetic activation, mediated through α2-adrenergic receptors, is one factor responsible for narrowing of the thermoneutral zone. Procedures which reduce this activation, such as paced respiration and clonidine administration, ameliorate HFs as will peripheral cooling. HFs are responsible for some, but not all, of the sleep disturbance reported during menopause. Recent work calls into question the role of serotonin in HFs.

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Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Black cohosh is another plant-derived compound used to treat hot flashes. A recent controlled trial by Newton et al found no significant effects, whatsoever, for black cohosh [65]. A recent review of 22 clinical trials, 12 on soy and 10 on other botanicals, showed no consistent improvement of HFs relative to placebo [66].…”

Section: Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Menopausal hot flashes: Mechanisms, endocrinology, treatment

Freedman¹

2014

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Self Cite

224

149

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“…Conversely, another placebo‐controlled study (Freedman et al . ) found no significant decrease in HF frequency with either 10 or 20 mg/day of escitalopram.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Duloxetine and escitalopram for hot flushes: efficacy and compliance in breast cancer survivors

et al. 2016

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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) might be an effective treatment for hot flushes (HFs) in breast cancer survivors (BCSs). This study aims to compare the efficacy and tolerability of duloxetine (SNRI) versus escitalopram (SSRI) in reducing frequency and severity of HFs in BCSs and to assess the effect on depression. Thirty-four symptomatic BCSs with emotional impairment received randomly duloxetine 60 mg daily or escitalopram 20 mg daily for 12 weeks. Patients were asked to record in a diary HF frequency and severity at baseline and after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment. Depression was evaluated through validated questionnaires (Beck Depression Inventory and Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale) at baseline and after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment. Both drugs showed a significant reduction of HF frequency and severity after 12 weeks of treatment with no significant difference between the two groups. A significant improvement in depression symptoms was observed at the end of the study period within both the groups, without difference between the two drugs. In conclusion, escitalopram and duloxetine are both effective treatment for the relief of HFs in BCSs, with similar beneficial effect. A significant improvement of depression was obtained with no major side effects.

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“…These results were partly contradicted in two small (N = 16 and N = 26) double blind, placebo-controlled pilot studies (Freedman et al 2011 ). Escitalopram was given at a dose of 10 mg/d (study 1) or 20 mg/d (study 2) over 8 weeks.…”

Section: Antidepressant Drugsmentioning

confidence: 95%

A systematic review of non-hormonal treatments of vasomotor symptoms in climacteric and cancer patients

2015

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The cardinal climacteric symptoms of hot flushes and night sweats affect 24-93% of all women during the physiological transition from reproductive to post-reproductive life. Though efficacious, hormonal therapy and partial oestrogenic compounds are linked to a significant increase in breast cancer. Non-hormonal treatments are thus greatly appreciated.This systematic review of published hormonal and non-hormonal treatments for climacteric, and breast and prostate cancer-associated hot flushes, examines clinical efficacy and therapy-related cancer risk modulation.A PubMed search included literature up to June 19, 2014 without limits for initial dates or language, with the search terms, (hot flush* OR hot flash*) AND (clinical trial* OR clinical stud*) AND (randomi* OR observational) NOT review). Retrieved references identified further papers. The focus was on hot flushes; other symptoms (night sweats, irritability, etc.) were not specifically screened. Included were some 610 clinical studies where a measured effect of the intervention, intensity and severity were documented, and where patients received treatment of pharmaceutical quality. Only 147 of these references described studies with alternative non-hormonal treatments in post-menopausal women and in breast and prostate cancer survivors; these results are presented in Additional file 1.The most effective hot flush treatment is oestrogenic hormones, or a combination of oestrogen and progestins, though benefits are partially outweighed by a significantly increased risk for breast cancer development.This review illustrates that certain non-hormonal treatments, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, gabapentin/pregabalin, and Cimicifuga racemosa extracts, show a positive risk-benefit ratio.Key pointsSeveral non-hormonal alternatives to hormonal therapy have been established and registered for the treatment of vasomotor climacteric symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal women.There are indications that non-hormonal treatments are useful alternatives in patients with a history of breast and prostate cancer. However, confirmation by larger clinical trials is required.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40064-015-0808-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Escitalopram treatment of menopausal hot flashes

Cited by 19 publications

References 18 publications

Menopausal hot flashes: Mechanisms, endocrinology, treatment

Menopausal hot flashes: Mechanisms, endocrinology, treatment

Duloxetine and escitalopram for hot flushes: efficacy and compliance in breast cancer survivors

A systematic review of non-hormonal treatments of vasomotor symptoms in climacteric and cancer patients

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