Use of the antidepressant sertraline for management of hot flashes

With the release of data that estrogen does not prevent but increases the risk of heart disease, storke and breast cancer, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) have become the nonhormonal choice for treatment for menopausal symptoms.  There is now data regarding the use of sertraline, a member of the SSRI family of antidepressants, for management of hot flashes.  In the March 2005 issue of The Breast Journal, we reported a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, comparing sertraline to placebo for management of hot flashes in women with a history of breast cancer who were taking tamoxifen.  Though there was no statistically significant difference in hot flash frequency and scores at 6 and 12 weeks compared to baseline, analysis of crossover data showed efficacy of sertraline.  When asked which treatment they  preferred and which they thought worked better, women chose sertraline over placebo.  Sertraline can now be added to the list of  SSRI / SNRI with the potential to alleviate menopausal hot flashes.

Bibliographical reference:

Kimmick CG et al.: "Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study of Sertraline (Zoloft) for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer Taking Tamoxife", Breast J. 2006 Mar-Apr;12(2):114-22

Gretchen G. Kimmick

Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA