Pilot evaluation of citalopram for the treatment of hot flashes in women with inadequate benefit from venlafaxine.
BACKGROUND
While newer antidepressants, such as venlafaxine and paroxetine, substantially decrease hot flashes, there is no published information with regards to whether a different antidepressant will be effective when one antidepressant does not adequately relieve hot flashes.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this trial was to provide pilot information with regards to whether citalopram would effectively reduce hot flashes in patients who did not receive adequate enough hot flash reduction with venlafaxine.


METHODS
This was a prospective pilot trial.


METHODS
Validated patient-completed hot flash diary questionnaires were utilized for measuring hot flashes.


METHODS
Thirty patients were recruited to this trial, 22 of whom were fully evaluable.


RESULTS
Compared to a baseline week, hot flash scores were reduced by 53% 4 weeks later. The citalopram appeared to be well tolerated with many quality-of-life and potential toxicity symptoms much improved compared to the baseline week. At the end of the 4-week treatment, 19 patients (63% of patients entering the study and 86% of the patient completing the study treatment) chose to continue to use citalopram.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot information supports the hypothesis that citalopram will reduce hot flashes in patients with inadequate hot flash relief while taking venlafaxine.
Loprinzi
Charles L
CL
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. loprinzi.charles@mayo.edu
Flynn
Patrick J
PJ
Carpenter
Lisa A
LA
Atherton
Pam
P
Barton
Debra L
DL
Shanafelt
Tait D
TD
Rummans
Teresa A
TA
Sloan
Jeff A
JA
Adjei
Alex A
AA
Mincey
Betty A
BA
Fitch
Tom R
TR
Collins
Mary
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015283:Citalopram / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D015283:Citalopram; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride