The objective of this present study was to evaluate the efficacy of fluoxetine (Prozac) and black cohosh in the treatment of women with postmenopausal symptoms.
“At the end of the sixth month of treatment, black cohosh reduced the hot flush score by 85%, compared with a 62% result for fluoxetine. By the sixth month of the study, 40 women had discontinued the study–20 (33%) in the fluoxetine group and 20 (33%) in the black cohosh group. Compared with fluoxetine, black cohosh is more effective for treating hot flushes and night sweats. On the other hand, fluoxetine is more effective in improvements shown on Beck’s Depression Scale.”
Key points:
- Black cohosh was more effective at reducing hot flushes (85%) compared to 62% for fluoxetine (Prozac).
- Fluoxetine was more effective at treating mood symptoms related to menopause.
Reference:
Oktem M, Eroglu D, Karahan HB, Taskintuna N, Kuscu E, Zeyneloglu HB. Black cohosh and fluoxetine in the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms: a prospective, randomized trial. Adv Ther. 2007 Mar-Apr;24(2):448-61.
About Jarret Morrow, M.D.
351 women age 45 to 55 years with 2 or more vasomotor symptoms per day were treated in a 1-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 87% of the participants completed the trial.
The conclusion was that, "Black cohosh used in isolation, or as part of a multibotanical regimen, shows little potential as an important therapy for relief of vasomotor symptoms."
Newton KM, Reed SD, LaCroix AZ, Grothaus LC, Ehrlich K, Guiltinan J. Ann Intern Med. 2006 Dec 19;145(12):869-79.
http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/145/12/869
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