PURPOSE: Vasomotor hot flashes are a common problem in menopausal women. Given concerns regarding estrogen and/or combined hormonal therapy, other treatment options are desired. Prior trials have confirmed that progestational agents and newer antidepressants effectively reduce hot flashes. This current trial compared a single intramuscular dose of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), depot preparation, versus daily oral venlafaxine as treatment for hot flashes. METHODS:Women with bothersome hot flashes were entered onto this trial, were randomly assigned to treatment, and then had a baseline week where hot flash scores were recorded without treatment. They were then treated and observed for 6 weeks; daily diaries were used to measure hot flash frequencies and severities. There were 109 patients per each arm randomly assigned to receive MPA 400 mg intramuscularly for a single dose versus venlafaxine 37.5 mg per day for a week, then 75 mg per day. RESULTS: During the sixth week after random assignment, hot flash scores were reduced by 55% in the venlafaxine arm versus 79% in the MPA arm (P < .0001). In an intention-to-treat analysis, 46% of venlafaxine patients (50 of 109) compared with 74% of the MPA patients (81 of 109) had a decrease in hot flashes by more than 50% from baseline (P < .0001). Less toxicity was reported in the MPA arm. CONCLUSION: A single MPA dose seems to be well tolerated and more effectively reduces hot flashes than does venlafaxine.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: Vasomotor hot flashes are a common problem in menopausal women. Given concerns regarding estrogen and/or combined hormonal therapy, other treatment options are desired. Prior trials have confirmed that progestational agents and newer antidepressants effectively reduce hot flashes. This current trial compared a single intramuscular dose of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), depot preparation, versus daily oral venlafaxine as treatment for hot flashes. METHODS:Women with bothersome hot flashes were entered onto this trial, were randomly assigned to treatment, and then had a baseline week where hot flash scores were recorded without treatment. They were then treated and observed for 6 weeks; daily diaries were used to measure hot flash frequencies and severities. There were 109 patients per each arm randomly assigned to receive MPA 400 mg intramuscularly for a single dose versus venlafaxine 37.5 mg per day for a week, then 75 mg per day. RESULTS: During the sixth week after random assignment, hot flash scores were reduced by 55% in the venlafaxine arm versus 79% in the MPA arm (P < .0001). In an intention-to-treat analysis, 46% of venlafaxinepatients (50 of 109) compared with 74% of the MPApatients (81 of 109) had a decrease in hot flashes by more than 50% from baseline (P < .0001). Less toxicity was reported in the MPA arm. CONCLUSION: A single MPA dose seems to be well tolerated and more effectively reduces hot flashes than does venlafaxine.
Authors: Haeseong Park; Gwendolyn L Parker; Cecelia H Boardman; Monica M Morris; Thomas J Smith Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2011-01-27 Impact factor: 3.603
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: William I Fisher; Aimee K Johnson; Gary R Elkins; Julie L Otte; Debra S Burns; Menggang Yu; Janet S Carpenter Journal: CA Cancer J Clin Date: 2013-01-25 Impact factor: 508.702