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Pilot Study using Gabapentin for Tamoxifen-induced Hot Flashes in Women with Breast Cancer

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Abstract

In this pilot study, 22 women with breast cancer on tamoxifen therapy with at least two hot flashes a day took oral gabapentin at 300 mg three times a day for 4 weeks. The 16 women who completed the study had a mean decrease in hot flash duration of 73.6% (P = 0.027), frequency of 44.2% (P < 0.001), and severity of 52.6% (P < 0.001), with a complete response in 8/16 women. Side effects reported by four women who did not complete 4 weeks of the study were nausea (1/4), rash (1/4) and excessive sleepiness (3/4). Two additional patients did not provide complete data. Gabapentin is a promising new agent in the treatment of tamoxifen induced hot flashes, and should be studied further.

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Pandya, K.J., Thummala, A.R., Griggs, J.J. et al. Pilot Study using Gabapentin for Tamoxifen-induced Hot Flashes in Women with Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 83, 87–89 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BREA.0000010676.54597.22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BREA.0000010676.54597.22

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