Hot flashes are one of the most common complaints during menopause. But there is hope to end the suffering and to manage menopause. PRISTIQ, one of the latest scientific breakthroughs in women’s health research, is welcome news for women dealing with the physical and emotional effects of frequent and moderate to severe hot flashes.

This sub-study was overseen by Dr. JoAnn V. Pinkerton, Medical Director of the Midlife Health Center and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Virginia.

The information presented in this article is for information purposes and should never be considered as formal medical advice. As will all the materials presented on this outlet, women are encouraged to undertake further research and talk to their healthcare providers to determine the suitability of this product.

**Important disclaimer: PRISTIQ is currently under review with the FDA for the treatment of hot flashes and is not yet approved for this indication.**

What is PRISTIQ?
PRISTIQ (the trade name for desvenlafaxine) is what doctors know as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRS) and is currently an FDA approved treatment option for major depression disorder in adults. According to the latest findings presented in Washington D.C. at the 59th Annual Clinical Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2011), PRISTIQ helps significantly reduce the frequency and severity of moderate to severe hot flashes. Developed and marketed by Pfizer Inc., PRISTIQ is pending FDA approval and recognition as a viable alternative for women who cannot or do not want to take the traditional hormone replacement therapies presently available.

PRISTIQ study participants
This study is a Phase 3 Efficacy Sub-study and part of a year-long, double-blind trial conducted in the United States and Canada. During this sub-study 365 women ages 45-71 took either PRISTIQ or a placebo for twelve weeks. Among the important criteria these women had to meet to be included in the study were:
*Experiencing moderate to severe hot flashes in terms of both frequency and impact on daily life - at least 7 hot flashes per day or about 50 per week
*There were no specific health considerations listed that would exclude participants’’ eligibility
*Participants enrolled in the study were not currently taking PRISTIQ for depression treatment

Results of PRISTIQ study
This research study shows promising benefits in reduction of both severity and frequency of hot flashes. Among the more important findings:

*By the fourth week, women taking PRISTIQ had a 55% reduction in number of daily hot flashes; for example down from an average of 12 to 6 hot flashes.

*By comparison, women taking a placebo reported a 31% reduction in number of hot flashes or from around 12 hot flashes to around 9 per day.

*At the twelve-week point, the PRISTIQ group noted hot flash reduction in terms of numbers had decreased by 62%, while the placebo group indicated a 38% reduction.

*While judging severity is a more subjective matter for the participants, by the fourth week the PRISTIQ takers reported a 20% drop in how bothersome their hot flashes were, compared to an 8% drop for the placebo participants. By week twelve, these figures were 25% and 12% respectively.

These results point to measurable results as proof of hot flash reduction, as well as women feeling that they noticed improvements in their daily lives. This study also shows that results occurred in just a few weeks as participants experienced measures of relief.

Only a small percentage of women elected to stop taking either PRISTIQ (10%) or the placebo (3.7%) due to adverse effects. Moreover, 2.5% of PRISTIQ takers and 8.4% of placebo takers stopped treatment because they did not see any results.

PRISTIQ side effects
Among the side effects noted by the participants were nausea, dry mouth, fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, and drowsiness.

PRISTIQ is also unsuitable for adolescents as it may cause increased feelings of depression. Patients with glaucoma, bipolar disorder, high cholesterol, heart disease, and kidney or liver problems should be especially cautious when considering taking PRISTIQ.

Please refer to the related articles for further information regarding patients currently taking PRISTIQ for depression.

Learn more about PRISTIQ including a complete list of side effects at www.PRISTIQ.com

Read the original press release @http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110503006557/en/PRISTIQ%C2%AE-desvenlafaxine-Extended-Release-Tablets-Shown-Significantly

This series has been coordinated with the assistance of BioSector2 www.biosector2.com

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Menopause, Your Doctor, and You