Medroxyprogesterone Compared With Venlafaxine in Treating Hot Flashes in Women

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• History of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ, or lobular carcinoma in situ (currently without evidence of malignant disease) OR
• Concerns about taking estrogen for fear of breast cancer
• Bothersome hot flashes, defined as occurrence at least 14 times per week and of sufficient severity as to make patient desire therapeutic intervention
• Presence of hot flashes for at least 1 month
• Hormone receptor status:
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Sex:
• Female
• Performance status:
• ECOG 0-1
• Life expectancy:
• At least 6 months
• Cardiovascular:
• No prior thromboembolic disease
• No uncontrolled hypertension (persistent diastolic blood pressure greater than 95 mm Hg and/or systolic blood pressure greater than 160 mm Hg)
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Chemotherapy:
• More than 4 weeks since prior antineoplastic chemotherapy
• No concurrent antineoplastic chemotherapy unless clinically appropriate
• Endocrine therapy:
• More than 4 weeks since prior androgen or estrogen therapy
• More than 3 months since prior progesterone as part of hormone replacement therapy
• At least 1 year since any other progesterone therapy (including megestrol)
• No concurrent androgen, estrogen, or progestational agents unless clinically appropriate
• Concurrent tamoxifen, raloxifene, or aromatase inhibitors are allowed if started more than 4 weeks ago and continuation for more than 5 weeks is planned
• Other:
• More than 2 weeks since prior agents for treatment of hot flashes (e.g., clonidine, Bellergal-S, or vitamin E of more than 400 mg per day)
• More than 1 year since prior antidepressants (including Hypericum perforatum \[St John's Wort\])
• No other concurrent antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• No other concurrent agents for treatment of hot flashes (e.g. clonidine, Bellergal-S, or vitamin E of more than 400 mg per day)