Citation

Yadav M, Volkar J. Int. J. Gen. Med. 2013; 6: 657-664.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Dove Press)

DOI

10.2147/IJGM.S45880

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

About 80% of postmenopausal women experience vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats - symptoms that are associated with sleep disruption and can lead to fatigue and mood changes. Moreover, hot flashes can be embarrassing for women, causing difficulties at work and in their social lives. Many therapies have been advocated for relief of vasomotor symptoms, but only hormone therapy has been US Food and Drug Administration approved. However, after the Women's Health Initiative Study suggested that there was a correlation between hormone therapy and increased risk for breast cancer and cardiovascular events, many women stopped taking hormone therapy, and many do not want to initiate it. Hormone therapy is also contraindicated in certain women, such as those with a history of hormone-stimulated cancer like breast and uterine cancer. Gabapentin (Neurontin) has shown efficacy in relieving vasomotor symptoms and is used as off-label for this indication. A new extended-release formulation of gabapentin has also shown efficacy in treating hot flashes and improving sleep quality with possibly fewer side effects than regular gabapentin. © 2013 Yadav and Volkar.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; suicide attempt; disease severity; drug overdose; fatigue; article; vomiting; symptomatology; antidepressant agent; citalopram; fluoxetine; paroxetine; sedation; serotonin uptake inhibitor; sertraline; venlafaxine; somnolence; sleep disorder; drowsiness; breast cancer; clonidine; hot flush; placebo; backache; drug efficacy; drug tolerability; weight gain; coronary artery disease; gabapentin; side effect; lung cancer; drug absorption; drug half life; hormonal therapy; cerebrovascular disease; estrogen; flatulence; nerve compression; ovary cancer; drug clearance; thorax pain; pneumothorax; dizziness; urinary tract infection; drug bioavailability; alpha tocopherol; gastroesophageal reflux; drug induced headache; drug release; upper respiratory tract infection; drug excretion; peripheral edema; serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor; vasomotor disorder; rib fracture; unsteadiness; morning dosage; evening dosage; rhinopharyngitis; homeopathy; postmenopause; time to maximum plasma concentration; extended drug release; abdominal wall hernia; Breeze; Gastric-retentive; Hormone-sensitive cancer; Hot flushes; Non-hormonal therapy; Postmenopausal; Vasomotor symptoms