Study: Anti-Depressant May Ease Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Patients

An anti-depressant drug may help relieve hot flashes, a common occurrence in women being treated for breast cancer, according to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine.

Researchers are looking at whether very low doses of an anti-depressant can reduce the number and severity of hot flashes in breast cancer patients. An improvement in attention, concentration and memory may also be a benefit.

The standard remedy for hot flashes in menopausal women is hormone replacement therapy, which is not recommended for breast cancer patients because estrogen may promote or facilitate their disease.

"It's a considerable problem," said Dr. Lois Friedman, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Baylor. "Patients often want to stop some of their treatment for breast cancer because of hot flashes."

Hot flashes can range in severity from mild to very severe and can last for up to 45 minutes. The most severe can cause a change in heart rhythm and difficulty breathing and functioning.

"The dosages being used in the study are low and are not being used to have an anti-depressant effect," said Friedman. "Side effects are minimal, if present at all."

The study will look at 128 women who will be given either an antidepressant or a placebo. Neither the patient nor the doctor will know which treatment has been given until the conclusion of the six-week study. Patients will be asked to keep a diary of hot flashes and will meet with researchers four times during the study period.

"Hot flashes are a common problem and very little other than hormone replacement therapy is available to treat hot flashes effectively," said Friedman. "If this new type of therapy proves effective, it will offer relief to many women who have struggled with symptoms that affect their quality of life."

Other Sources: Baylor College of Medicine