Agent
|
Classification
|
Dose
|
Mechanism of Action
|
Side Effects
|
| Vitamin E*
|
Vitamin
|
800 IU daily
|
Prevents excessive PHS and LH production
|
None at this dose
|
| Vitamin C plus bioflavinoids (Peridin C)*
|
Bioflavinoid
|
2 tablets three times daily
|
Enhances capillary tone
|
Perspiration may have an unpleasant odor
|
| Clonidine (Catapres)
|
a-adrenergic agonist
|
0.05 mg twice daily (may increase to 0.1 mg twice daily if hot flashes persist)
|
Reduces vascular reactivity, stabilizes thermoregulatory center
|
Hypotension, dizziness, and fatigue
|
| Clonidine Transdermal Patches (Catapres-TTS)
|
a-adrenergic agonis
|
0.1 mg patches, change weekly
|
Reduces vascular reactivity, stabilizes thermoregulatory center
|
Hypotension, dizziness, and fatigue
|
| Phenobarbital-belladonna-ergot amine combination (Bellergal-S)
|
Autonomic stabilizer
|
One at bedtime, if ineffective, one twice daily
|
Inhibits adrenergic and cholinergic impulses locally
|
Dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, addictive potential
|
| Venlafaxine (Effexor)
|
Antidepressant
|
12.5 gm twice daily
|
Inhibits neuronal serotonin and norepinerphine re-uptake, SSRI and NERI
|
Anxiety, nervousness, insomnia (minimal at this dose) potential interaction with MAO inhibitors
|
| Paroxetine (Paxil)
|
Antidepressant
|
10 mg daily for 1 week, then 20 mg daily
|
Selectively inhibits re-uptake of serotonin SSRI
|
Somnolence
|
