Gabapentin Versus Estrogen for the Treatment of Hot Flashes

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of gabapentin, estrogen and placebo in the treatment of hot flashes and other climacteric symptoms.
ConditionHot Flashes
InterventionDrug: Gabapentin, Estrogen and placebo administration
PhasePhase 4
SponsorUniversity of Rochester
Responsible PartyUniversity of Rochester
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT00276081
First ReceivedJanuary 11, 2006
Last UpdatedNovember 27, 2006
Last verifiedJanuary 2006

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateJanuary 11, 2006
Last Updated DateNovember 27, 2006
Start DateMay 2002
Estimated Primary Completion DateSeptember 2004
Current Primary Outcome MeasuresReduction in hot flash frequency
Current Secondary Outcome Measures
  • Side effects
  • Effect on climacteric symptoms
  • Effect on depression

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleGabapentin Versus Estrogen for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
Official TitleA Randomized Trial of Gabapentin, Estrogen and Placebo for the Treatment of Postmenopausal Hot Flashes
Brief Summary
To compare the efficacy and safety of gabapentin, estrogen and placebo in the treatment of
hot flashes and other climacteric symptoms.
Detailed Description
HRT is associated with an increased risk of thrombo-embolic events, breast cancer and
cardiovascular events. Safe, effective, and well-tolerated alternative therapies for hot
flashes are needed. Gabapentin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-analog that we have
reported is associated with a reduction in the frequency of hot flashes in postmenopausal
women who were taking gabapentin for other indications. However, it is not known whether
the efficacy of gabapentin in the treatment of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms is
comparable to that of estrogen, the gold standard. For this study, 60 subjects are to be
recruited and randomized into 3 arms of 20 each (gabapentin, estrogen and placebo).We will
perform an analysis of the results after all 60 subjects have been recruited, screened,
enrolled and completed the study. The investigators of the study continue to be blinded to
the study groups and their randomization. To determine if gabapentin approaches the
efficacy of estrogen in the treatment of hot flashes,postmenopausal women between ages 35
and 60 with 7-20 moderate-severe postmenopausal hot flashes/day will be randomized into a
double-blinded placebo controlled trial of estrogen, gabapentin and placebo. All patients
must meet stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pre- and post-study hot flash
diaries, depression and climacteria scales will be collected. Patients are required to
undergo physical examination and blood work and to complete a daily hot flash and medication
compliance records. Hot flash frequency and composite score for hot flashes will be
calculated for the three groups based on the hot flash diary. Side effects, climacteric
scale and depression scales will also be used.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhasePhase 4
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double-Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment
ConditionHot Flashes
InterventionDrug: Gabapentin, Estrogen and placebo administration
Study Arm (s)Not Provided

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusCompleted
Estimated Enrollment60
Estimated Completion DateSeptember 2004
Estimated Primary Completion DateNot Provided
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Menopausal women between ages 35-60

2. Must experience 7-20, moderate-severe hot flashes/day or 50-140 moderate-severe hot
flashes/week for greater than two months

3. Must have had a bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy for >12 months or amenorrhea>6 months
or #4 (below)

4. Has an FSH>30 mIU/ml

5. Must have a signed informed consent

6. Able to function independent in all activities of daily living and be capable of
reliable documentation

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any contraindication to estrogen and progesterone replacement therapy

2. History of an MI, stroke, and/or functional decline.

3. Fails to record data in the hot flash diary>3 days during the 2 week baseline period.

4. Unable or willing to make required visits at the specified times over the course of
therapy.

5. History of any malignancies or undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.

6. History of chronic liver, gallbladder, chronic renal, cardiac or endocrine diseases
GenderFemale
Ages35 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersAccepts Healthy Volunteers
ContactsNot Provided
Location CountriesUnited States

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT00276081
Other Study ID NumbersRO3 HD042609 NIH/NICHD
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeNot Provided
Information Provided ByUniversity of Rochester
Study SponsorUniversity of Rochester
CollaboratorsNational Institutes of Health (NIH)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Investigators Principal Investigator: Sireesha Y. Reddy, M.D. University of Rochester
Verification DateJanuary 2006

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

University of Rochester
Rochester, New York, United States, 14642