OBJECTIVE: To obtain pilot prospective data regarding the efficacy and tolerability of gabapentin for alleviating hot flashes. PATIENTS AND 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To obtain pilot prospective data regarding the efficacy and tolerability of gabapentin for alleviating hot flashes. PATIENTS AND 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. CONCLUSION: 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: Carol J Fabian; Lauren Nye; Kandy R Powers; Jennifer L Nydegger; Amy L Kreutzjans; Teresa A Phillips; Trina Metheny; Onalisa Winblad; Carola M Zalles; Christy R Hagan; Merit L Goodman; Byron J Gajewski; Devin C Koestler; Prabhakar Chalise; Bruce F Kimler Journal: Cancer Prev Res (Phila) Date: 2019-08-16
Authors: Charles L Loprinzi; Rui Qin; Ernie P Balcueva; Ernie P Baclueva; Kathleen A Flynn; Kendrith M Rowland; David L Graham; Nancy K Erwin; Shaker R Dakhil; Donald J Jurgens; Kelli N Burger Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2009-11-09 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Susan Thompson; Aditya Bardia; Angelina Tan; Debra L Barton; Lisa Kottschade; Jeff A Sloan; Brad Christensen; DeAnne Smith; Charles L Loprinzi Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2007-06-28 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Jennifer E Mersereau; Nitzan Levy; Richard E Staub; Scott Baggett; Tatjana Zogovic; Tetjana Zogric; Sylvia Chow; William A Ricke; Mary Tagliaferri; Isaac Cohen; Leonard F Bjeldanes; Dale C Leitman Journal: Mol Cell Endocrinol Date: 2007-11-26 Impact factor: 4.102