EFFECT OF CLONIDINE ON HOT FLASHES IN POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 60 (5), 583-586
Abstract
The effectiveness of clonidine in suppressing the occurrence of postmenopausal hot flashes was examined using a dose-response study design and objective recordings of hot flashes. Patients with frequent flashes were studied before and after oral administration of palcebo and 0.1., 0.2 and 0.4 mg of clonidine daily for 2 wk at each dose level. Finger temperature and skin resistance were recorded as indices of hot flash episodes. Four of 10 subjects beginning the study withdrew because of drug-related side effects. Clonidine reduced significanlty the frequency of hot flashes as compared with baseline (P < 0.005) and with effects of the placebo (P < 0.05). At the maximum dosage the mean rate of hot flash occurrence decreased 46%. It was concluded that clonidine does reduce the frequency of postmenopasual flashes.