Hot flashes, or hot flushes, are a common symptom
experienced by women during the perimenopausal and menopausal periods. It
occurs due to a fall of estrogen levels during this time. Women experience a
feeling of warmth especially in the face region, which may be followed by
sweating. The symptoms could become bothersome especially if they occur too
frequently or wake the patient up at night.
Hormonal replacement has been commonly used to treat
hot flashes. However, its use has been associated with the development of
breast cancer and heart disease. It cannot be used by patients who have already
suffered from or at a risk of suffering from these conditions. Therefore, hormonal
replacement has not been widely preferred for this condition.
Women will now have a non-hormonal option available
for the treatment of hot flashes. The US Food and Drug Administration has
approved the use of an antidepressant paroxetine for the treatment of hot
flashes. Paroxetine is also used for conditions like panic disorder and
obsessive compulsive disorder. However, the dosage used for this purpose will
be less than that used to treat depression. The new drug will contain 7.5 mg
paroxetine, whereas the lowest dose available for depression is 10 mg.
Paroxetine could reduce the efficacy of tamoxifene, a drug that is used in
certain breast cancer patients and to reduce the risk of breast cancer in
certain women; therefore, it should not be used in women taking tamoxifene.
Paroxetine
is associated with side effects including the risk of suicidal thoughts. The approval for this drug for hot flashes comes despite disapproval
from advisors to the FDA who felt that the benefits of the drug could not
offset the risks.
Source: Medindia
Careers
