Pilot evaluation of gabapentin for treating hot flashes.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain pilot prospective data regarding the efficacy and tolerability of gabapentin for alleviating hot flashes.


METHODS
This prospective single-arm clinical trial was conducted between July 26, 2001, and November 30, 2001. Patients underwent a baseline week and then 4 weeks of gabapentin treatment, with increasing doses during the first 3 weeks, from 300 to 600 to 900 mg/d. Data were obtained primarily from patient-completed questionnaires.


RESULTS
Data from 20 evaluable women (of 24 entered in the trial) were available. Four patients discontinued use of gabapentin for perceived drug-related untoward symptoms, primarily related to light-headedness and dizziness. The 16 patients who completed this clinical trial had a mean reduction in hot flash frequency, in the fourth treatment week compared to the baseline week, of 66%. Their corresponding hot flash score (frequency times average severity) reduction was 70%. Additionally, patients who completed the 4 treatment weeks had a strong tendency to report an improvement in several other symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Although a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial should be conducted to better elucidate the efficacy and toxicity of gabapentin in patients with hot flashes, the available data suggest that gabapentin is a reasonable treatment to consider in patients with hot flashes if they do not wish to use hormonal therapy.
Loprinzi
L
L
Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA. cloprinzi@mayo.edu
Barton
Debra L
DL
Sloan
Jeff A
JA
Zahasky
Katherine M
KM
Smith
De Anne R
DA
Pruthi
Sandhya
S
Novotny
Paul J
PJ
Perez
Edith A
EA
Christensen
Bradley J
BJ
D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000588:Amines; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D000077206:Gabapentin; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin