XXXX for the management of hot flushes: a case series.

@entity1 @entity4697 @entity304 @entity2682 @entity809 @entity158
OBJECTIVE: To audit the effectiveness of the anticonvulsant @entity2682 on hot flushes in postmenopausal @entity1 . DESIGN: This was an open case series involving 11 postmenopausal @entity1 who were willing to take @entity2682 for the relief of their hot flushes and were willing to keep a diary recording the number and intensity of their hot flushes, both before and during treatment. @entity2682 was started at a dose of 300 mg, to be taken at night, and the @entity1 were instructed to increase the dose up to 1,200 mg, according to symptom behavior. RESULTS: Eleven @entity1 agreed to participate for on average 53.22 days (range, 2-79 days), but two discontinued participation-one before starting treatment and one after 2 days-so there are complete data sets for nine @entity1 . @entity2682 was found to be extremely effective in reducing hot flush activity (P < 0.001; Fig. 1). A significant @entity304 was observed with a dose of 300 mg/day (P < 0.001). Scores on the Green Climacteric Scale were significantly improved from a mean of 25.72 (range, 12-42) to 19.25 (range, 13-31; P < 0.001). Palpitations (P = 0.001), @entity4697 attacks (P = 0.0001), mood (P = 0.023), muscle and joint @entity158 (P = 0.021), and @entity809 and loss of sensation in the extremities (P = 0.001) were also shown to improve with treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In the present case series, @entity2682 was well tolerated and could be a valuable alternative for the treatment of hot flushes in @entity1 with contraindications to hormonal replacement therapy. It would be particularly beneficial for @entity1 in whom aches and @entity158 and @entity809 are also a significant feature of the climacteric syndrome.
