korry1977
Fri, Oct-03-03, 10:51
I found this in my email this morning... thought it may be of some interest to members of this forum...
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DGReview
Short-Term Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Hot Flushes
A DGReview of :"Nonhormonal therapy for hot flashes"
US Pharmacist
09/23/2003
By Jill Taylor
While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may continue to play a role in managing menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, many women are seeking alternative therapies out of concern of increased health risks reported by the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study Follow-up (HERS II) and the Women's Health Initiative (WHI).
In a recently published article, Maria Sulli, PharmD, and colleagues of the St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions in Jamaica, New York, United States, discuss hot flush characteristics and additional treatment options available for short-term symptom management.
Hot flushes are associated with stressors such as anxiety, warm temperatures, caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, and physical contact, which may function to increase cortisol levels and body temperature. Additionally, researchers have hypothesised that the marked reduction in oestrogen levels associated with menopause may lead to significant reduction in blood serotonin levels, affecting thermoregulation by the hypothalamus.
Effective prescription medications for hot flushes include the serotonin reuptake inhibitors venlafaxine (37.5 mg twice daily), paroxetine (10 mg at bedtime for 3 days, followed by 20 mg daily or 12.5 mg (CR) daily), fluoxetine (20 mg daily), and the anticonvulsant gabapentin (from 200 mg daily to 400 mg 4 times daily).
Women with milder symptoms may look for non-prescription treatment options. Several over-the-counter alternatives are available, although few have been proven safe and effective. Soy and black cohosh are two ingredients most often found in hot flush remedies, which women may find useful for short-term symptom relief.
"It is important to keep in mind that complementary and alternative medicine products are not regulated by the FDA, and the consistency and quantity of their active ingredients cannot be guaranteed," the authors note. "Patients should be counselled to tell their pharmacist and physician when purchasing these products."
U.S. Pharmacist 2003;28:09. "Nonhormonal therapy for hot flashes"
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Here is the full article:
http://www.uspharmacist.com/index.asp?show=article&page=8_1134.htm
http://www.uspharmacist.com/
HTH,
Korry
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DGReview
Short-Term Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Hot Flushes
A DGReview of :"Nonhormonal therapy for hot flashes"
US Pharmacist
09/23/2003
By Jill Taylor
While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may continue to play a role in managing menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, many women are seeking alternative therapies out of concern of increased health risks reported by the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study Follow-up (HERS II) and the Women's Health Initiative (WHI).
In a recently published article, Maria Sulli, PharmD, and colleagues of the St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions in Jamaica, New York, United States, discuss hot flush characteristics and additional treatment options available for short-term symptom management.
Hot flushes are associated with stressors such as anxiety, warm temperatures, caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, and physical contact, which may function to increase cortisol levels and body temperature. Additionally, researchers have hypothesised that the marked reduction in oestrogen levels associated with menopause may lead to significant reduction in blood serotonin levels, affecting thermoregulation by the hypothalamus.
Effective prescription medications for hot flushes include the serotonin reuptake inhibitors venlafaxine (37.5 mg twice daily), paroxetine (10 mg at bedtime for 3 days, followed by 20 mg daily or 12.5 mg (CR) daily), fluoxetine (20 mg daily), and the anticonvulsant gabapentin (from 200 mg daily to 400 mg 4 times daily).
Women with milder symptoms may look for non-prescription treatment options. Several over-the-counter alternatives are available, although few have been proven safe and effective. Soy and black cohosh are two ingredients most often found in hot flush remedies, which women may find useful for short-term symptom relief.
"It is important to keep in mind that complementary and alternative medicine products are not regulated by the FDA, and the consistency and quantity of their active ingredients cannot be guaranteed," the authors note. "Patients should be counselled to tell their pharmacist and physician when purchasing these products."
U.S. Pharmacist 2003;28:09. "Nonhormonal therapy for hot flashes"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the full article:
http://www.uspharmacist.com/index.asp?show=article&page=8_1134.htm
http://www.uspharmacist.com/
HTH,
Korry