Desvenlafaxine Reduced Moderate To Severe Vasomotor Symptoms In Menopausal Women

Vasomotor Symptoms In Menopausal Women

Women who received 100 mg/day or 150 mg/day of desvenlafaxine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), experienced a significant reduction in moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) (hot flashes and night sweats) associated with menopause over those taking placebo. This significant reduction was seen as early as week one.

The common adverse drug reactions (greater than or equal to five percent of either desvenlafaxine group) in this study were asthenia, hypertension, anorexia (loss of appetite), constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, somnolence and mydriasis.

"There are more than 10 million menopausal women who experience moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats. Only a small percentage of menopausal women use FDA-approved treatments, all of which are hormone-based," says Ginger Constantine, M.D., Vice President, Women's Health Care, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. "Wyeth is committed to continuing to develop desvenlafaxine as a potential non-hormonal treatment option for women with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause."

In July 2007, Wyeth received an approvable letter from the FDA for desvenlafaxine in the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms