Khaberni - A recent clinical study showed that a drug commonly used to treat overactive bladder may play an important role in alleviating hot flashes for men undergoing hormone therapy for prostate cancer, which is one of the most common and bothersome side effects in this group of patients.
The findings, published in the "Journal of Clinical Oncology" and including participants from Mayo Clinic, indicated that oxybutynin was more effective than a placebo in reducing the number and severity of hot flashes.
Participants who received higher doses of the drug reported significant improvement in their daily activities and overall quality of life.
According to the study, the proportion of men experiencing hot flashes during androgen deprivation therapy ranges between 60% and 80%, and these symptoms negatively affect sleep, mood, and overall quality of life.
The lead researcher in the study, Dr. Bradley Stish, says that this type of symptom "does not receive enough attention despite its significant impact on patients."
The trial included 88 patients treated for six weeks, and the results showed that more than 75% of participants responded positively to the treatment, with the severity of their hot flashes reducing by 50% or more compared to the group that received the placebo.
No serious side effects were recorded, except for some mild cases of dry mouth among those receiving higher doses.
The researchers believe these results suggest the possibility of expanding treatment options for patients suffering from one of the most common and bothersome side effects of prostate cancer treatment, with calls for larger studies to confirm effectiveness and determine the most appropriate dosages.
Despite the researchers' emphasis on the need for broader studies in the future to verify the results and accurately determine the optimal dosages, the current results strongly support the adoption of oxybutynin as an effective treatment option for men suffering from bothersome hot flashes associated with hormone therapy.
