Lexapro for Women with Hot Flashes
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) recently published a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that found women who took escitalopram (Lexapro) had 50% fewer hot flashes than those who didn’t.
For many women, hot flashes can be very debilitating and, as the author of the study states, there haven’t been many interventions that have been effective. Since escitalopram (Lexapro) didn’t show any serious side effects, it may be an option that menopausal women whose hot flashes seem unbearable would want to try. Although any time one is considering medication, thorough consultations with one’s physician(s) is recommended.
Nicholas Bakalar’s has a New York Times article on Lexapro and Hot Flashes that you may find useful if you have access to the NY Times archives.