Evaluation of low-dose venlafaxine hydrochloride for the therapy of hot flushes in breast cancer survivors

: Venlafaxine is an effective treatment for the relief of vasomotor symptoms in patients previously treated for breast cancer. A favourable effect is maintained also in those patients using tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy. The use of the low dose (37.5 mg/day) is associated with minimal side effects and produces a good improvement in hot flushes if pursued over 8 weeks.