Megestrol Acetate for the Prevention of Hot Flashes
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Implication
Randomized trial demonstrates megestrol acetate's effectiveness in reducing hot flashes in menopausal and cancer patients, indicating a novel therapeutic option.
Key Points
- This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of megestrol acetate in reducing hot flashes in women with breast cancer and men undergoing androgen-deprivation therapy.
- Included 97 women with breast cancer and 66 men with prostate cancer.
- Patients received megestrol acetate 20 mg twice daily for four weeks, followed by placebo for four weeks, in a double-blind manner.
- Patients documented the frequency and severity of hot flashes in daily symptom diaries.
- Hot flashes were reduced by 85% in the megestrol acetate group compared to 21% in placebo (P < 0.001).
- 74% of the megestrol acetate group had a decrease of 50% or more in hot flash frequency, compared to 20% in the placebo group (P < 0.001).
- The treatment was well tolerated, with the primary side effect being withdrawal menstrual bleeding in women.
Cite This Study
Loprinzi et al. (1994) studied this question.