Clonidine in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

Thirty-seven women complaining of hot flushes, sweating and other menopausal symptoms were treated with clonidine. A double-blind crossover trial with placebo controls was undertaken. The clonidine dose was 2 X 0.025 mg/24 hours-0.075 mg/24 hours, increased if necessary at intervals of two weeks. The effect of clonidine did not differ significantly from placebo effect in the treatment of the symptoms. Side effects during clonidine management were slight and no difference was seen in their incidence compared with that in the patients treated with the placebo. A definitive placebo response was perceivable in the decreasing of symptoms.