Escitalopram Contributions by Olivia Cerf

In a study on 205 ethnically diverse menopausal women studied the effect of 10-20 mg per day for 8 weeks. The outcomes being studied were frequency and severity of hot flashes, as well as degree of bother.

• There was a 47% decrease in daily hot flashes in the escitalopram group compared with 33% in placebo.
• Improvements began after 1 week of treatment.
• There was a slightly smaller reduction of hot flash symptoms in African American women taking escitalopram.
• Women did experience withdrawal symptoms, and 64% of participants wanted to continue the treatment after the study was over. Withdrawal symptoms included
  • lightheadedness (14%)
  • vivid dreams (13%)
  • nausea (11%)
  • excessive sweating (11%)
• Other than the withdrawal effects, escitalopram was shown to have no significant adverse effects compared with placebo. ²

Another study examined the effect of 10-20 mg per day of escitalopram on insomnia in women who were having an average of 9.78 hot flashes per day. Outcomes were measured using two insomnia scales - the insomnia severity index (ISI) and the Pittsburgh Quality of Sleep Index (PQSI).

• The average ISI after treatment was reduced from 11.4 at baseline to 6.75. The highest possible score on the ISI is 28, indicating severe insomnia.
• PQSI was reduced by 1.3 points after eight weeks.
• The effect of escitalopram was consistent across all groups, regardless of how severe insomnia was at baseline.
• When used for depression, insomnia has been reported as a side effect. This study shows that when used by women without anxiety or depression, it can have the opposite effect.
• Participants reported no adverse events such as insomnia, fatigue, or drowsiness. ¹

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used for depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. This may be useful for depression associated with perimenopause and menopause. SSRIs are also are being studied for their effectiveness beyond their conventional uses for depression and anxiety. They have shown mixed results in treating menopausal symptoms including but not limited to hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia.

In a study on 205 ethnically diverse menopausal women studied the effect of 10-20 mg per day for 8 weeks. The outcomes being studied were frequency and severity of hot flashes, as well as degree of bother.

• There was a 47% decrease in daily hot flashes in the escitalopram group compared with 33% in placebo.
• Improvements began after 1 week of treatment.
• There was a slightly smaller reduction of hot flash symptoms in African American women taking escitalopram.
• Women did experience withdrawal symptoms, and 64% of participants wanted to continue the treatment after the study was over. Withdrawal symptoms included
  • lightheadedness (14%)
  • vivid dreams (13%)
  • nausea (11%)
  • excessive sweating (11%)
• Other than the withdrawal effects, escitalopram was shown to have no significant adverse effects compared with placebo. ²

Another study examined the effect of 10-20 mg per day of escitalopram on insomnia in women who were having an average of 9.78 hot flashes per day. Outcomes were measured using two insomnia scales - the insomnia severity index (ISI) and the Pittsburgh Quality of Sleep Index (PQSI).

• The average ISI after treatment was reduced from 11.4 at baseline to 6.75. The highest possible score on the ISI is 28, indicating severe insomnia.
• PQSI was reduced by 1.3 points after eight weeks.
• The effect of escitalopram was consistent across all groups, regardless of how severe insomnia was at baseline.
• When used for depression, insomnia has been reported as a side effect. This study shows that when used by women without anxiety or depression, it can have the opposite effect.
• Participants reported no adverse events such as insomnia, fatigue, or drowsiness. ¹

¹Ensrud, Kristine et al. “Effect of escitalopram on insomnia symptoms and subjective sleep quality in healthy perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with hot flashes: a randomized controlled trial,” Menopause 19, no 8 (2012).

²Freeman, Ellen W. et al. Efficacy of Escitalopram for Hot Flashes in Healthy Menopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial”, JAMA 305, no 3 (2011): 267-274.

In a study on 205 ethnically diverse menopausal women studied the effect of 10-20 mg per day for 8 weeks. The outcomes being studied were frequency and severity of hot flashes, as well as degree of bother.

• There was a 47% decrease in daily hot flashes in the escitalopram group compared with 33% in placebo.
• Improvements began after 1 week of treatment.
• There was a slightly smaller reduction of hot flash symptoms in African American women taking escitalopram.
• Women did experience withdrawal symptoms, and 64% of participants wanted to continue the treatment after the study was over. Withdrawal symptoms included
  • lightheadedness (14%)
  • vivid dreams (13%)
  • nausea (11%)
  • excessive sweating (11%)
• Other than the withdrawal effects, escitalopram was shown to have no significant adverse effects compared with placebo. ²

Another study examined the effect of 10-20 mg per day of escitalopram on insomnia in women who were having an average of 9.78 hot flashes per day. Outcomes were measured using two insomnia scales - the insomnia severity index (ISI) and the Pittsburgh Quality of Sleep Index (PQSI).

• The average ISI after treatment was reduced from 11.4 at baseline to 6.75. The highest possible score on the ISI is 28, indicating severe insomnia.
• PQSI was reduced by 1.3 points after eight weeks.
• The effect of escitalopram was consistent across all groups, regardless of how severe insomnia was at baseline.
• When used for depression, insomnia has been reported as a side effect. This study shows that when used by women without anxiety or depression, it can have the opposite effect.
• Participants reported no adverse events such as insomnia, fatigue, or drowsiness. ¹

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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used for depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. This may be useful for depression associated with perimenopause and menopause. SSRIs are also are being studied for their effectiveness beyond their conventional uses for depression and anxiety. They have shown mixed results in treating menopausal symptoms including but not limited to hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia.