Expert Commentary

Controlled-release paroxetine reduces hot flashes

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Objective

To assess the effectiveness of paroxetine controlled release (CR), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), in relieving hot flashes among a general cross section of menopausal women.

Results

After 6 weeks, mean daily hot flash frequency decreased from 7.1 to 3.8 for women receiving 12.5 mg/day paroxetine CR, from 6.4 to 3.2 for those taking 25 mg/day, and from 6.6 to 4.8 for women taking placebo.

Expert Commentary

The vasomotor flush is the hallmark of the female climacteric, experienced to some degree by up to 85% of postmenopausal women.Managing menopause-related depression and low libido”).

It is worth trying to titrate the dose to its lowest effective level because of a small but bothersome incidence of decreased libido. Added advantages with SSRIs are improvements in depression, anxiety, and sleep.

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