Randomized, Open-Label Quality of Life Study Using Gabapentin Versus Venlafaxine in Treating Hot Flashes in Patients With Prostate Cancer
Randomized, Open-Label Quality of Life Study Using Gabapentin Versus Venlafaxine in Treating Hot Flashes in Patients With Prostate Cancer
The purpose of this study is to assess the change in quality of life over a 6 month period between gabapentin and venlafaxine in men with prostate cancer treated for hot flashes related to androgen deprivation therapy.
60 evaluable patients with prostate cancer currently receiving androgen ablation therapy or who have had an orchiectomy will be enrolled in this study. All patients will be randomized 1:1 (30 patients per treatment arm) to either receive gabapentin or venlafaxine. Treatment duration will be a total of 6 months. During those 6 months, study staff will evaluate frequency and intensity of hot flashes using hot flash score from hot flash diary every 28 days. Patients will also record side effects associated with either gabapentin or venlafaxine on their medication diaries. Study staff will record the severity of all adverse events reported. Patients will also complete the quality of life Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P) form at baseline, cycle 3, and cycle 6/off study.
Inclusion Criteria:
Men 18 years or older with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the prostate
Prior or current androgen deprivation for at least 6 months prior to study entry with either bilateral orchiectomy or being maintained on a stable dose of LHRH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) agonist or antagonist
Exclusion Criteria:
cannot currently be taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)