Comparison of fluoxetine with a placebo in treating postmenopausal hot flash

Hot flash is one of the most prevalent problems in postmenopausal period.Considering the controversies on hormonal replacement therapy, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a nonhormonal drug, i.e. flouxetine, on hot flash and to compare it with a placebo. In this randomized clinical trial, 80 Postmenopausal women were divided into two equal groups. One group (n=40) were treated with flouxetine (20mg per day) and the other with placebos for 8 weeks. Frequency and duration of baseline hot flashes were recorded one week before the start of the treatment and during the following eight weeks (2nd, 4th, and 8th week). The obtained data was statistically analyzed by means of SPSS, using 2, t-test and correlation analysis at the significant level P≤0.05. The mean rate of frequency and duration of hot flash before treatment were matched in both groups. Positive clinical response was more in fluoxetine group (75%), but in the placebo group it was less (42.5%), (P=0.01). The incidence of side-effects was the same in both groups. Considering the effectiveness of flouxetine in the treatment of hot flash in postmenopausal period with few side-effects, inexpensiveness and availability, it can be used instead of hormonal replacement therapy.