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Venlafaxine (EffexorŽ) for the Treatment of Hot Flashes What
is venlafaxine (Effexor)? Venlafaxine is a
medicine that is available by prescription for depression. Recent studies,
conducted in part at the Mayo Clinic, have shown that low doses of this
medicine are also helpful in reducing hot flashes. In these studies hot
flashes decreased on average by 60%, with some patients having more hot
flash reduction and others less. How
do I take this medicine for my hot flashes? You will be given a
prescription for 37.5 mg of venlafaxine. This is a long-acting medicine,
so these pills cannot be crushed or broken. For the first week, you will
take one tablet a day. It is important to take this medicine with food,
because it may lessen any nausea the pill may cause. You may take it in
the morning or evening. During the second week, if you are not happy with
the decrease in your hot flashes, begin taking 75 mg per day (two 37.5 mg
tablets) at the same time each day. You should know whether this medicine
is helpful to you by the end of this second week. If it does not help,
inform your health care provider. What
are the side effects of this medicine? From studies of the
low doses of venlafaxine used in the clinical trial, women had only three
side effects: dry mouth, loss of appetite, and nausea. Nausea was the
worst during the first week of taking the medicine and then got much
better. You should not take venlafaxine if your blood pressure is high and
not well controlled. How
much does this medicine cost? A 37.5 mg tablet costs
about $2.20 each, and a 75 mg tablet costs about $2.40 each. Thus, taking
one 75 mg tablet is cheaper than two 37.5 mg tablets. You will receive
prescriptions for both 37.5 and 75 mg tablets. Check your insurance policy
to determine what your prescription benefits are. What
other things can I do for my hot flashes? Some things in your
daily routine may help decrease hot flashes. One of the most important is
to dress in layers in loosely woven cotton clothing and use loosely woven
bedding. This allows air to flow around your skin better than some tighter
fabrics. Also, keep air circulating either with an open window or a fan.
Sometimes foods or beverages can bring on hot flashes. Alcohol, caffeine,
and spicy foods may cause a hot flash. Be aware if "trigger"
foods exist for you -- things that you eat or drink that generally cause
hot flashes. Sometimes sucking on ice cubes or sipping an iced fruit drink
cools people. Other medicines have
been tested for relieving got flashes. Ask your doctor about these or any
hot flash clinical trials that are currently available. If you have any
questions, ask your doctor or nurse. REFERENCE:
Barton, D., LaVasseur, B., Loprinzi, C. L., Novotny, P., Wilweding, M.B.,
& Sloan, J.A. (2002). Venlafaxine for the control of hot flashes:
Results of a longitudinal continuation study. Oncology Nursing Forum,
29, 33-39. Ann
Arbor Hematology Oncology Associates, P.C. |