Venlafaxine for the control of hot flashes: results of a longitudinal continuation study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To evaluate the intermediate term efficacy and toxicity of the use of venlafaxine for the control of hot flashes. DESIGN An open-label continuation phase study following a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial that tested three doses of venlafaxine for the control of hot flashes. SETTING North Central Cancer Treatment Group institutions. SAMPLE 102 postmenopausal women. METHODS Women could titrate venlafaxine to optimum efficacy while recording daily hot flash counts and weekly toxicity information. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Hot flash frequency, hot flash score. FINDINGS The reduction in hot flashes previously reported in the randomized study phase was maintained during the open-label study. Toxicity did not appear to increase over time. CONCLUSIONS The data from this study provides evidence that venlafaxine has intermediate term efficacy and good tolerability as a treatment for hot flashes. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Nurses can inform symptomatic women that an effective nonhormonal alternative exists to control their hot flashes.