Effects of Escitalopram on Climacteric Vasomotor Symptoms

Abstract Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are episodes of profuse heat accompanied by sweating and flushing. experienced predominantly around the head, neck, chest, and upper back. VMS are often considered the cardinal symptoms of menopause, when ovarian activity may be intermittent, and they have also been documented during the luteal and menstrual phases of the cycle in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. To evaluate the effectiveness of escitalopram for attenuating the vasomotor symptoms. This prospective, observational study was conducted in Department of Pharmacology and Therapeuties, North East Medical College, Sylhet in collaboration with Outpatient Department of Psychiatry, Sylhet M.A.G Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet, among 50 women (ages 40 to 62 years) who were postmenopausal women. Women were assigned to receive escitalopram 10 to 20 mg/d for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes were the frequency and severity of hot flashes assessed by prospective daily diaries at weeks 4 and 8. Secondary outcomes were hot flash bother, recorded on daily diaries, and clinical improvement (defined as hot flash frequency 50% decrease from baseline). All information was recorded in data collection sheet. Data was processed and analyzed with the help of computer program SPSS and Microsoft excel. The study found that escitalopram resulted in a significant reduction in the frequency. severity, and bothersomeness of hot flashes. At baseline, the mean frequency of hot flashes for all subjects was 9.75 per day. At 8 weeks, the mean daily frequency decreased to 5.18. Sixty two percent of the patients reported >=50% decreases in hot flash frequency. Treatment response was rapid, showing some improvement in hot flash frequency and severity within 1 week of starting treatment. Present study concluded that treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram significantly reduces the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms compared with placebo. Key Words: Vasomotor Symptoms, Escitalopram.