Management of Postmenopausal Symptoms with Extended-Release Venlafaxine

M. Ladea, M. R. Dumitrescu, M. Şarpe,

Abstract: To examine the efficacy of extendedrelease venlafaxine for the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms, especially the vasomotor symptoms. Twenty-eight postmenopausal women were recruited for this observational study and received treatment with open-label extended- release venlafaxine, 75mg daily for 6 weeks. Menopausal symptoms were evaluated with Green Climacteric Scale (GCS) and for inclusion a GCS total score > 20 was required. GCS mean scores declined for each subscale: Psychological Subscale mean score decreased over the 6 weeks of treatment from 14.4 to 8.9; Somatic subscale mean score decreased from 5.9 to 3.8; and Vasomotor Subscale mean score decreased from 5.3 to 3.1, a decrease with 41.5% from baseline. The most frequent adverse events were nausea and dry mouth. Extended-release venlafaxine, 75 mg per day, appears to be effective for treating postmenopausal symptoms and thus may be a possible alternative to hormonal therapy for postmenopausal women.
Keywords: postmenopausal symptoms, venlafaxine, hot flashes.