Menopause Hot Flashes could be helped by taking
Gabapentin
June 20th, 2006
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Knowmenopause.com
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Gabapentin has
been used to help in the treatment for menopausal hot flashes.
Gebapentin is used to treat migraine headaches. Pfizer, who is the
manufacturer of gabapentin, doesn't comment on off label use of drugs.
Using gebapentin for treating menopausal hot flashes is an off label
use, but has been used as an alternative to the treatment of hot flashes
compared to estrogen hormone therapy.
One research study
looked at the alternatives therapies available for the treatment of hot
flashes. The researcher concluded with the following statement:
“Despite
increasing interest in therapies for menopausal hot flashes that avoid
use of estrogen, the efficacy and safety of other options currently are
not well supported. The SSRIs or SNRIs, clonidine, and gabapentin
provide some evidence of efficacy. However, effects are less than those
for estrogen therapy, few trials have been published and most have
methodological deficiencies, and generalizability beyond the small
clinical populations studied could be limited. Adverse effects and cost
may prohibit use for many women. Although these therapies may be most
useful for highly symptomatic women who cannot take estrogen, they are
not optimal choices for most women,” said Heidi D. Nelson, M.D., M.P.H.,
of the Oregon Health and Science University and Providence Health
System, Portland, Oregon in a study that was first reported in the May 3rd
issue of JAMA.
WCCO news reported
that one person with breast cancer that had hot flashes was prescribed
to take 900 milligram dose of gabapentin which reduced her hot flashes
to around 50 percent. Dr. Pandya and colleagues completed a study with
the National Cancer Institute. Women that had breast cancer and hot
flashes were helped by taking gabapentin. The hot flashes did not
disappear altogether but the symptoms were reduced and so was the
duration.
Another study
conducted by Dr. Wulf Utian from the North Amercian Menopause Society
claims that gabapentin hasn’t been any better than a placebo. However
when WCCO asked him, he did say that gabapentin might be helpful for
some patients that are not able to take estrogen hormone therapy might
benefit.
A website called
knowmenopause.com is an informative site that helps educate you about
menopause and the treatments that are currently available. They show
the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy and give you the
information that you should discuss with your doctor. The website also
discusses symptoms as well as alternative treatment options by medical
doctors.
Nicole Wilson
Best Syndication
Books on Dieting
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