From the Guidelines
The recommended dose of venlafaxine (Effexor) for treating hot flashes is 75 mg per day. This dose has been shown to be effective in reducing both the frequency and severity of hot flashes in menopausal women or in patients experiencing hot flashes due to cancer treatments, with a median reduction in hot flash score of 61% compared to a 27% reduction with placebo 1. Treatment usually begins with a lower dose of 37.5 mg daily for one week before increasing to the target dose of 75 mg daily.
Key Considerations
- Venlafaxine works by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin and norepinephrine, which are involved in temperature regulation.
- Common side effects may include nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, and sleep disturbances, which often improve after the first few weeks of treatment 1.
- It's essential to take venlafaxine at the same time each day and not to stop the medication abruptly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.
- If discontinuation is desired, the dose should be gradually tapered under medical supervision.
- Patients with liver or kidney disease may require dose adjustments, and those with a history of high blood pressure should have their blood pressure monitored regularly while taking this medication.
Monitoring and Adjustments
- Clinicians should discuss with women the potential benefits and side-effects of specific agents, including venlafaxine, to determine the best course of treatment.
- A woman who starts venlafaxine may recognize within days whether the agent is effective in alleviating her symptoms or whether it is associated with bothersome side-effects or both 1.
From the Research
Recommended Dose of Venlafaxine for Hot Flashes
The recommended dose of venlafaxine (Effexor) for treating hot flashes is not explicitly stated in the provided studies. However, the studies suggest that venlafaxine is an effective treatment for hot flashes and can be used as a nonhormonal alternative.
Efficacy of Venlafaxine
- Venlafaxine has been shown to reduce hot flashes by 37 to 61 percent 2.
- The reduction in hot flashes was maintained during an open-label study, and toxicity did not appear to increase over time 2.
- Venlafaxine is considered a viable option for reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes, along with desvenlafaxine 3.
Considerations for Treatment
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the North American Menopause Society support the use of antidepressant therapies, including venlafaxine, for the management of hot flash symptoms 4.
- Venlafaxine and paroxetine have been studied more extensively than other antidepressants and are more consistent in effectively reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes 4.
- The treatment choice should be patient-specific and begin with the lowest dose available 5.