Studies with clonidine (dixarit) in menopausal women

Eleven women with menopausal symptoms were treated with 150 micrograms Clonidine (dixarit) daily. Before and during therapy, plasma estradiol-17 beta, LH, FSH and prolactin levels were measured by specific radio-immunoassays. In addition, each patient recorded the number of hot flushes a day and symptoms were monitored by the Kupperman-index. A highly significant fall in the number of hot flushes by day and night occurred during therapy (p less than 0.001) and the Kupperman-index similarly improved. Significant pulse and blood pressure changes were not noted and plasma hormone concentrations remained unaltered. Medication was well tolerated. Clonidine therapy would appear to be the treatment of choice for menopausal symptoms if estrogens are contraindicated.