A double-blind, randomly assigned, placebo-controlled study of desvenlafaxine efficacy and safety for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause

Objective

The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of desvenlafaxine (administered as desvenlafaxine succinate) for menopausal vasomotor symptoms.

Study Design

Postmenopausal women (n = 458) experiencing 50 or more moderate to severe hot flushes per week received desvenlafaxine 100 or 150 mg/d, with titration at therapy initiation, or placebo. Hot flush number and severity were assessed at weeks 4 and 12. Safety data were collected throughout the trial.

Results

Desvenlafaxine 100 and 150 mg/d significantly reduced the number of hot flushes compared with placebo at weeks 4 and 12 (all P ≤ .012), achieving 65.4% and 66.6% reductions from baseline at week 12, respectively (placebo, 50.8%). Hot flush severity and number of nighttime awakenings were significantly reduced at both time points (all P ≤ .048). Desvenlafaxine groups reported significantly more adverse events compared with placebo during week 1 only. No difference in discontinuations because of adverse events was observed.

Conclusion

Desvenlafaxine is an effective nonhormonal treatment for menopausal hot flushes. Dose titration improves initial tolerability.

Key words: desvenlafaxine succinate, hot flushes, menopause, nonhormonal treatment, vasomotor symptoms