Gabapentin's effects on hot flashes in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Gabapentin is effective in reducing hot flash frequency and severity in postmenopausal women.

Centrally active nonhormonal hot flash therapies

“…37 In 2 placebocontrolled, double-blind, randomized clinical trials, investigators demonstrated that gabapentin does reduce hot flashes in women with and without a history of breast cancer. 13,14 Mean hot flash score reduction in 1 of these studies 13 with 59 postmenopausal women was 54% compared with a 31% reduction with placebo. In the other trial, 14 involving 360 women, a 30% reduction in hot flash scores after 8 weeks was reported for patients receiving gabapentin 100 mg 3 times daily compared with a 46% reduction for 300 mg 3 times daily and an 18% reduction with placebo.…”

“…Eligibility criteria were not specified. The outcome measure was an interview at the end of each 13 RPCT , 12 wk 59 MW 54 31 Light-headed, dizzy, mild peripheral edema, decreased serum albumin Gabapentin 14 RPCT, 8 wk 360 BC -100 mg tid 30 18 300 mg tid 46 18 BC ϭ women with a history of breast cancer; CR ϭ controlled release; ER ϭ extended release; MW ϭ menopausal women; RPCT ϭ randomized placebo-controlled trial.…”

“…Side effects include light-headedness and dizziness; cases of mild peripheral edema associated with decreased serum albumin levels also were reported in some patients. 13 …”

“…There are several centrally acting compounds that have been investigated as a means of alleviating hot flashes in women ( Table 1). [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Potential mechanisms for their efficacy have been described in detail. 15 The present article delineates the histories of several of these classes of agents in the order in which they were first investigated.…”

Management of menopausal symptoms: the risks and benefits

“…20 Gabapentin may be beneficial for the symptoms of aches, pains and paraesthesia that many menopausal women experience. Interaction may occur with antacids and side-effects include dizziness, fatigue, tremor, ataxia, arthralgia and weight increase.…”