title: Pilot evaluation of citalopram for the treatment of hot flashes in women with inadequate benefit from venlafaxine.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. loprinzi.charles@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Charles L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Loprinzi
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Atherton
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: Tait D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Shanafelt
authors.forename: Teresa A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Rummans
authors.forename: Jeff A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sloan
authors.forename: Alex A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adjei
authors.forename: Betty A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Mincey
authors.forename: Tom R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Fitch
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015283:Citalopram; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride