Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Gabapentin for Hot Flashes

Q. I swear by gabapentin for hot flashes. Effexor gave me dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, inability to concentrate and a general feeling of being spaced out. Gabapentin gives me great relief.

A. Although doctors prescribe the anticonvulsant gabapentin (Neurontin) to control hot flashes, this is not an FDA-approved use. The drug can increase the risk for suicidal thoughts as well as dizziness, fatigue, unsteadiness and edema.

There are other medications that are approved for menopausal “power surges.” Women who are really struggling with this problem can get relief from hormone replacement therapy–estrogen plus progesterone (for example, Prempro) or estrogen alone for those who have had hysterectomies. The usual recommendation is to take the lowest dose that controls symptoms for the shortest amount of time. This isn’t always easy to judge, since many women find that hot flashes recur when the HRT is discontinued, even if they have been on it for years.

There is more on how to manage hot flashes, including other prescription drugs that are sometimes used for this purpose, in our Guide to Menopause. It makes sense to know about the potential side effects of any medication and how easy or difficult it may be to discontinue before starting it.

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
3.3- 7 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.