title: Venlafaxine versus clonidine for the treatment of hot flashes in breast cancer patients: a double-blind, randomized cross-over study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Breast cancer patients with treatment-induced menopause experience frequent and severe hot flashes (HF). We compared venlafaxine and clonidine for the treatment of HF with regard to side effects, efficacy, quality of life and sexual functioning.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind, cross-over study, 60 breast cancer patients experiencing HF were randomized to 8 weeks venlafaxine followed by 2 weeks wash-out, and 8 weeks clonidine or vice versa. HF frequency and severity, side effects, quality of life and sexuality were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty patients started with venlafaxine and 30 with clonidine. Premature discontinuation for toxicity occurred in 14/59 during venlafaxine and 5/53 during clonidine (P = .038). Venlafaxine induced more side effects. Median reduction in HF score was 49% for venlafaxine and 55% for clonidine (ns).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Venlafaxine and clonidine are equally, but moderately effective in HF reduction. Side effects are the main reason for drug discontinuation, occurring more often with venlafaxine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ciska
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buijs
authors.forename: Constantijne H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Mom
authors.forename: Pax H B
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Willemse
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marike Boezen
authors.forename: J Marina
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Maurer
authors.forename: A N Machteld
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Wymenga
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nieboer
authors.forename: Elisabeth G E
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: Marian J E
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mourits
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D003000:Clonidine; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride