Use of a lidocaine patch in the management of postsurgical neuropathic pain in patients with cancer: a phase III double-blind crossover study (N01CB).

Objective: Current therapies often have limited efficacy and untenable side effects when used to treat persistent incisional pain following cancer-related surgery. Lidocaine patches reduce neuropathic pain from herpes zoster but their benefits for persistent cancer-related postsurgical incisional pain remain unclear.

Study Design: Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, two-period crossover trial.

Pilot evaluation of paroxetine for treating hot flashes in men.

Objective: To provide prospective information on the potential utility of paroxetine for treating hot flashes In men receiving androgen ablation therapy for prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: Men with symptomatic androgen ablation therapy-related hot flashes were entered into this clinical trial between August 2001 and October 2003. After a baseline week of documentation of the frequency of hot flashes, patients were assigned to receive paroxetine; the initial dosage was 12.

Pilot evaluation of mirtazapine for the treatment of hot flashes.

This prospective, single-arm, pilot clinical trial, developed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of mirtazapine for alleviating hot flashes, was conducted between May 2001 and January 2002. Patients' baseline characteristics were collected during the first week of the study. At the beginning of the second week, patients were started on mirtazapine at a dose of 7.

Pilot evaluation of gabapentin for treating hot flashes.

Objective: To obtain pilot prospective data regarding the efficacy and tolerability of gabapentin for alleviating hot flashes.

Patients And Methods: This prospective single-arm clinical trial was conducted between July 26, 2001, and November 30, 2001. Patients underwent a baseline week and then 4 weeks of gabapentin treatment, with increasing doses during the first 3 weeks, from 300 to 600 to 900 mg/d.