Veralipride for hot flushes induced by a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist: a controlled study

To evaluate the efficacy of veralipride, a benzamide derivative, in the treatment of hot flushes induced by GnRH agonists (GnRH-a) and to study peripheral blood mononuclear cell beta-endorphin concentrations during drug administration.

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

Academic department of obstetrics and gynecology.

Forty women of mean age 43 +/- 5 years who experienced disturbing hot flushes during a 4-month course of tryptorelin depot for myoma-associated menorrhagia.

Treatment with oral veralipride 100 mg/d (20 subjects) or matching placebo (20 subjects) during the third month of GnRH-a administration.

Modifications of frequency and severity of hot flushes as shown by a 0 to 6-point vasomotor scoring system and variations of beta-endorphin levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Two subjects in each group dropped out of the study. The median (range) vasomotor score at the end of the second month of treatment was 4 (3 to 6) in both the veralipride and placebo group. At the end of the third and fourth months the median (range) scores were, respectively, 2 (0 to 6) versus 4 (1 to 6) and 2 (0 to 5) versus 4 (1 to 6). No significant variations in mononuclear cell beta-endorphin concentrations were recorded. Serum PRL levels rose from 11.7 +/- 5.7 to 132.3 +/- 65.0 ng/mL (conversion factor to SI unit, 1.0) during veralipride administration and returned to 10.6 +/- 3.7 ng/mL after drug withdrawal.

Veralipride reduced vasomotor symptoms induced by a GnRH-a. Transient hyperprolactinemia was the main side effect observed. The mode of action of the drug in GnRH-a-treated patients and possible interactions with endogenous opioid peptides need further elucidation.