title: Pilot evaluation of gabapentin for treating hot flashes.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA. cloprinzi@mayo.edu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Loprinzi
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: Jeff A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sloan
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Zahasky
authors.forename: De Anne R
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Sandhya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pruthi
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Novotny
authors.forename: Edith A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Bradley J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin