Background: While 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.
Objective: The 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.
Design: This was a prospective pilot trial
Measurements: Validated patient-completed hot flash diary questionnaires were utilized for
measuring hot flashes.
Subjects: Thirty patients were recruited to this trial, 22 of whom were fully evaluable.
Results: Compared 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.
Conclusion: This pilot information supports the hypothesis that citalopram will reduce hot
flashes in patients with inadequate hot flash relief while taking venlafaxine.
