Oxybutynin could serve as the ultimate drug for treating hot flashes in breast cancer patients especially those who are unable to take hormone replacement therapy.
Research led by oncologists Roberto Leon-Ferre, M.D. and Charles Loprinzi, M.D. of Mayo Clinic has found that the drug oxybutynin helps to reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes in women who are unable to take hormone replacement therapy, including breast cancer survivors. These findings were presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
Pregnancy Disorders can Lead to More Hot Flashes
A link between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes lead to more number of hot flashes in women.
Advertisement
‘Oxybutynin is currently used to treat urinary incontinence. In the study, it showed promising results in treating hot flashes in women. This kind of drug was especially useful for breast cancer patients as they are unable to use hormone replacement therapy. The hormone replacement therapy is the current method of treating hot flashes.’
Tweet it Now
"Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause and can be even more severe in breast cancer survivors than they are in the general population," says Dr. Leon-Ferre.
He says several factors contribute to the increased severity of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors including exposure to chemotherapy, which may bring on early menopause; the use of anti-estrogen drugs, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors; and the use of medications or procedures to suppress the function of the ovaries.
![Progesterone can Decrease Hot Flashes in Perimenopausal Women]( "Progesterone can Decrease Hot Flashes in Perimenopausal Women")
Hot flashes and night sweats in perimenopausal women can be decreased with oral micronized progesterone (OMP). About 8 of 10 perimenopausal women are affected with hot flashes and night sweats.
Hormone replacement therapy, which is sometimes used to treat hot flashes, is generally not recommended for breast cancer survivors. "Hot flashes not only impact a patient's quality of life, but they are also associated with patients prematurely discontinuing breast cancer treatment, which may increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence and mortality," says Dr. Leon-Ferre. "It is important for physicians to have effective options to treat hot flashes."
Dr. Leon-Ferre says previous research had suggested that hot flashes may be relieved with oxybutynin, an anticholinergic agent which interferes with the activity of a neurotransmitter in the brain and the peripheral nervous system. The drug is most commonly used to treat urinary incontinence.
In this study, researchers sought to determine whether oxybutynin was more effective than placebo in treating hot flashes and in improving patients' quality of life. The researchers enrolled 150 women who had experienced at least 28 hot flashes per week over more than a month, and who were bothered enough by them to want medication. Sixty-two percent of the women were on tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor for the duration of the study. There were three arms in the trial with patients in two arms receiving different dosages of oxybutynin and patients in the third arm receiving a placebo.
The study found that patients on both oxybutynin doses saw decreases in hot flashes compared to the women who took the placebo. The women in both oxybutynin arms also reported decreased interference of hot flashes in their work, social activities, leisure activities, sleep, and improvement in their overall quality of life.
"This study, in addition to previously published work in this area, establishes that oxybutynin is an effective drug for treatment of hot flashes in patients who have relative or absolute contraindications to hormone-based therapy," says Dr. Leon-Ferre. "We were surprised by the rapidity of the response and the magnitude of the effect, considering the relatively low dose of the drug."
He says that oxybutynin does not interfere with the metabolism of tamoxifen, which is an important consideration for breast cancer survivors, as some of the most effective non-hormonal treatments for hot flashes (e.g., antidepressants) are thought to potentially decrease the efficacy of tamoxifen.
Dr. Leon-Ferre said that since oxybutynin is already available for other indications, physicians could potentially prescribe it off-label. However, he says the study did not address long-term toxicities of oxybutynin.
Previous research has indicated that long-term use of this type of drug may be associated with cognitive decline. These possible side effects should be further researched and taken into consideration when physicians counsel patients.
Source: Eurekalert
Progesterone can Decrease Hot Flashes in Perimenopausal Women
Hot flashes and night sweats in perimenopausal women can be decreased with oral micronized progesterone (OMP). About 8 of 10 perimenopausal women are affected with hot flashes and night sweats.
Advertisement
Hormone replacement therapy, which is sometimes used to treat hot flashes, is generally not recommended for breast cancer survivors. "Hot flashes not only impact a patient's quality of life, but they are also associated with patients prematurely discontinuing breast cancer treatment, which may increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence and mortality," says Dr. Leon-Ferre. "It is important for physicians to have effective options to treat hot flashes."
Dr. Leon-Ferre says previous research had suggested that hot flashes may be relieved with oxybutynin, an anticholinergic agent which interferes with the activity of a neurotransmitter in the brain and the peripheral nervous system. The drug is most commonly used to treat urinary incontinence.
In this study, researchers sought to determine whether oxybutynin was more effective than placebo in treating hot flashes and in improving patients' quality of life. The researchers enrolled 150 women who had experienced at least 28 hot flashes per week over more than a month, and who were bothered enough by them to want medication. Sixty-two percent of the women were on tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor for the duration of the study. There were three arms in the trial with patients in two arms receiving different dosages of oxybutynin and patients in the third arm receiving a placebo.
The study found that patients on both oxybutynin doses saw decreases in hot flashes compared to the women who took the placebo. The women in both oxybutynin arms also reported decreased interference of hot flashes in their work, social activities, leisure activities, sleep, and improvement in their overall quality of life.
"This study, in addition to previously published work in this area, establishes that oxybutynin is an effective drug for treatment of hot flashes in patients who have relative or absolute contraindications to hormone-based therapy," says Dr. Leon-Ferre. "We were surprised by the rapidity of the response and the magnitude of the effect, considering the relatively low dose of the drug."
He says that oxybutynin does not interfere with the metabolism of tamoxifen, which is an important consideration for breast cancer survivors, as some of the most effective non-hormonal treatments for hot flashes (e.g., antidepressants) are thought to potentially decrease the efficacy of tamoxifen.
Dr. Leon-Ferre said that since oxybutynin is already available for other indications, physicians could potentially prescribe it off-label. However, he says the study did not address long-term toxicities of oxybutynin.
Previous research has indicated that long-term use of this type of drug may be associated with cognitive decline. These possible side effects should be further researched and taken into consideration when physicians counsel patients.
Source: Eurekalert
Irregular Sleep in Menopause Linked to Hot Flashes, Depression
Menopausal women with sleep problems face a higher risk of hot flashes and depression.
Advertisement
 Hot Flashes Could be Precursor to Diabetes, Heart DiseaseHot flashes may increase the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Women Health News
Women over 45 years old taking estrogen pills have a higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure compared to those using transdermal or vaginal formulations.
The new study assessed the beneficial effects of nitroglycerin patches in treating hot flashes in postmenopausal women.
A new study investigated the rate of neural tube defects in predominantly Hispanic-populated women before and after the voluntary fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid.
Experts suggest that getting regular mammograms at the age of 40 can help women prevent breast cancer.
The commonly used Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) is not useful for shared clinical decision-making regarding osteoporosis screening in younger postmenopausal women.