Relief of hot flashes with escitalopram in non-depressed menopausal women in Japan: Results of a retrospective analysis

Chikako Mori, Atsushi Imai

Clerical Support Unit for Physicians, Matsunami General Hospital, Gifu, Japan.
Institute of Endocrine-Related Cancer, Matsunami General Hospital, Gifu, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/health.2012.410136                

Abstract

Purpose: Hormone therapy (estrogen with or without progestin) remains the gold standard treatment for hot flashes in menopausal women, but concerns for the risk of hormone therapy have resulted in its decline and a demand for nonhormonal treatments with demonstrated efficacy for hot flashes. Aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram on hot flashes in a healthy sample of non-depressant menopausal women in Japan. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 11 menopausal patients with hot flashes, who received escitalopram (10 mg daily) for 2 weeks between March and August 2012. Hot flashes severities and scores were recorded on a scale of 0 to 10 points, at beginning and end of 2 weeks treatment. Results: At 2 weeks of therapy, 9 of 11 patients reported significant decreases in hot flash frequency and severity, but the remission of the symptom was not observed in 2 patients. Speed of relief from hot flashes was rapid (within one week). Conclusions: Escitalopram 10 mg/day may be a prompt and effective option for treating hot flashes in menopausal women who do not want to use hormone replacement therapy.

Keywords

Hot Flashes; Escitalopram; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Menopause

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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