Treatment of menopausal hot flashes with transdermal administration of clonidine

A randomized prospective double-blind study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a transdermal therapeutic system delivering clonidine in the treatment of menopausal hot flashes. Frequency, severity and duration of the flushing attacks before and during the 8-week treatment period were evaluated. The reduction in the number of hot flashes was highly significant in patients receiving the clonidine transdermal therapeutic system. On subjective comparison of flushing attacks before and during treatment, of the 15 patients who received the clonidine transdermal therapeutic system, 80% reported fewer hot flashes; 73% a decrease in severity; and 67% a decrease in duration. Among the 14 patients who were treated with placebo only, 36% reported fewer hot flashes; 29% a decrease in severity; and 21%, shorter duration (frequency, p less than 0.04; severity, p less than 0.04; and duration, p less than 0.03). Reported side effects were minimal, and no significant effect was observed on blood pressure or pulse rate. Transdermal clonidine therapy had no effect on the pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion.