Authors: Susan Thompson Aditya Bardia Angelina Tan Debra L Barton Lisa Kottschade Jeff A Sloan Brad Christensen DeAnne Smith Charles L Loprinzi
Publish Date: 2007/06/28
Volume: 16, Issue: 1, Pages: 75-82
Abstract
Women aged 18 years or more with a history of breast cancer or those who wished to avoid estrogen because of a perceived increased risk of breast cancer who were experiencing bothersome hot flashes more than or equal to 14 times per week for more than or equal to 1 month before study entry were included During the baseline week general demographic characteristics hot flash information and quality of life data were obtained At the beginning of week 2 patients were started on levetiracetam for a total of 4 weeks Information about hot flashes quality of life and toxicity were collected during these 4 weeks and compared with the baseline weekAfter treatment with levetiracetam for 4 weeks N = 19 mean hot flash scores frequency times mean severity were reduced by 57 and mean hot flash frequencies were reduced by 53 compared to the baseline week both these reductions were greater than what would be expected with a placebo 20–25 reduction There were significant improvements in abnormal sweating p = 0004 hot flash distress p = 00002 and satisfaction of hot flash control p = 00001 when comparing data from the fourth week of treatment to the baseline week Twentynine percent of the subjects did not complete the study because of treatmentrelated adverse events with the most frequently reported side effects being somnolence fatigue and dizziness usually with mild to moderate intensity
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