title: Venlafaxine for the control of hot flashes: results of a longitudinal continuation study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the intermediate term efficacy and toxicity of the use of venlafaxine for the control of hot flashes.
  
  
  METHODS
  An open-label continuation phase study following a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial that tested three doses of venlafaxine for the control of hot flashes.
  
  
  METHODS
  North Central Cancer Treatment Group institutions.
  
  
  METHODS
  102 postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women could titrate venlafaxine to optimum efficacy while recording daily hot flash counts and weekly toxicity information.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hot flash frequency, hot flash score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reduction in hot flashes previously reported in the randomized study phase was maintained during the open-label study. Toxicity did not appear to increase over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data from this study provides evidence that venlafaxine has intermediate term efficacy and good tolerability as a treatment for hot flashes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses can inform symptomatic women that an effective nonhormonal alternative exists to control their hot flashes.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, USA. Barton.Debra@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: La Vasseur
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Loprinzi
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Novotny
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Wilwerding
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sloan
mesh_terms: D000855:Anorexia / Q000139:chemically induced; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride