• Charles L Loprinzi, Patrick J Flynn, Lisa A Carpenter, Pam Atherton, Debra L Barton, Tait D Shanafelt, Teresa A Rummans, Jeff A Sloan, Alex A Adjei, Betty A Mincey, Tom R Fitch, and Mary Collins.
• Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. loprinzi.charles@mayo.edu
• J Palliat Med. 2005 Oct 1; 8 (5): 924930924-30.

BackgroundWhile newer antidepressants, such as venlafaxine and paroxetine, substantially decrease hot flashes, there is no published information with regards to whether a different antidepressant will be effective when one antidepressant does not adequately relieve hot flashes.ObjectiveThe objective of this trial was to provide pilot information with regards to whether citalopram would effectively reduce hot flashes in patients who did not receive adequate enough hot flash reduction with venlafaxine.DesignThis was a prospective pilot trial.MeasurementsValidated patient-completed hot flash diary questionnaires were utilized for measuring hot flashes.SubjectsThirty patients were recruited to this trial, 22 of whom were fully evaluable.ResultsCompared to a baseline week, hot flash scores were reduced by 53% 4 weeks later. The citalopram appeared to be well tolerated with many quality-of-life and potential toxicity symptoms much improved compared to the baseline week. At the end of the 4-week treatment, 19 patients (63% of patients entering the study and 86% of the patient completing the study treatment) chose to continue to use citalopram.ConclusionThis pilot information supports the hypothesis that citalopram will reduce hot flashes in patients with inadequate hot flash relief while taking venlafaxine.

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