ISSN:
1569-8041
Keywords:
breast cancer
;
hot flashes
;
paroxetine
;
serotonin uptake inhibitors
;
survivors
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background:Many breast cancer survivors suffer debilitating hotflashes. Estrogen, the drug of choice in perimenopausal women, is generallynot recommenced to breast cancer survivors. Nonhormonal treatments are mostlydisappointing. Anecdotal reports in our institution suggested that theselective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor, paroxetine hydrochloride, might beefficacious in alleviating hot flashes. Patients and methods:Thirty women with prior breast cancer whowere suffering at least two hot flashes a day entered a single institutionpilot trial to evaluate paroxetine's efficacy in reducing the frequency andseverity of hot flashes. After completing daily diaries for one week on notherapy, the women received open-label paroxetine, 10 mg daily for one week,followed by four weeks of paroxetine, 20 mg daily. The women completedhot-flash daily diaries throughout the study period, and a health-relatedsymptom-assessment questionnaire and a quality-of-life rating scale in thefirst and sixth week of the study. Results:Twenty-seven women completed the six-week study period.The mean reduction of hot flash frequency was 67% (95%confidence interval (95% CI): 56%–79%). The meanreduction in hot flash severity score was 75% (95% CI:66%–85%). There was a statistically significantimprovement in depression, sleep, anxiety, and quality of life scores.Furthermore, 25 (83%) of the study participants chose to continueparoxetine therapy at the end of study. The most common adverse effect wassomnolence, resulting in drug discontinuation in two women, and dose reductionin two women. One woman discontinued drug due to anxiety. Conclusions:Paroxetine hydrochloride is a promising new treatmentfor hot flashes in breast cancer survivors, and warrants further evaluationin a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008382706068
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