Pilot evaluation of paroxetine for treating hot flashes in men.
OBJECTIVE
To provide prospective information on the potential utility of paroxetine for treating hot flashes In men receiving androgen ablation therapy for prostate cancer.


METHODS
Men with symptomatic androgen ablation therapy-related hot flashes were entered into this clinical trial between August 2001 and October 2003. After a baseline week of documentation of the frequency of hot flashes, patients were assigned to receive paroxetine; the initial dosage was 12.5 mg/d, and it was increased to 37.5 mg/d over the ensuing 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Of the 24 patients in whom medication was initiated, 18 completed the 5-week study. In these patients, the median frequency of hot flashes decreased from 6.2 per day during the baseline week to 2.5 per day during the last study week. Hot flash scores (frequency x mean severity) during the same period decreased from 10.6 per day to 3.0 per day. Overall, paroxetine was well tolerated by most patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The results from this trial suggest that paroxetine Is an effective agent for diminishing hot flashes in men receiving androgen ablation therapy.
Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. cloprinzi@mayo.edu
Charles L
CL
Loprinzi
Debra L
DL
Barton
Lisa A
LA
Carpenter
Jeff A
JA
Sloan
Paul J
PJ
Novotny
Matthew T
MT
Gettman
Bradley J
BJ
Christensen
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors