Antidepressants for Hot Flushes

Antidepressants for Hot Flushes

Have you been prescribed antidepressants to treat hot flushes or hot flashes even though you do not feel depressed? Yes, antidepressants can be used to treat hot flushes.

Antidepressants for Hot Flushes

Can antidepressants be used to treat hot flushes or hot flashes?

Yes, antidepressants can be used to treat hot flushes. On page two in Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms: Non-Hormonal Treatments for Vasomotor Symptoms – Antidepressants, dated 08 September 2024, the Australasian Menopause Society note:

“Several types of antidepressants (SNRI and SSRIs explained below) have been noted in small, short-term studies to reduce hot flushes. Four weeks is sufficient to establish whether these will be effective in reducing hot flushes. These medications should not be taken with any other antidepressants or any substance containing St. John’s Wort. Discontinuation should be tapered.

  • Venlafaxine and Desvenlafaxine are serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Serotonin and noradrenaline, known to affect mood, may also impact thermoregulation…
  • SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). This class of antidepressants includes paroxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, citalopram, and escitalopram. There is limited information about how different non-hormonal agents compare with each other for efficacy due to a lack of head-to-head studies…”

In Treatments for Menopause: Non-Hormone Treatments for Menopause – Non-Hormone Medicine: Antidepressants the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:

“Some antidepressants have been shown to reduce hot flushes and night sweats, and also help with mood, anxiety and depression. These medicines include:

  • Venlafaxine or Desvenlafaxine
  • Paroxetine
  • Citalopram or Escitalopram
  • Fluoxetine”.

In Hot Flashes: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Antidepressants, dated 04 March 2025, the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

Antidepressants for Hot Flushes

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves only one treatment that doesn’t use hormones for hot flashes. The treatment is a low-dose form of paroxetine (Brisdelle).

Other antidepressants that have been used to treat hot flashes include:

  • Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
  • Paroxetine (Paxil)
  • Citalopram (Celexa)
  • Escitalopram (Lexapro)

Antidepressants don’t work as well as hormone therapy for strong hot flashes. But they can help people who can’t use hormones. Possible side effects include nausea, trouble sleeping or feeling sleepy, weight gain, dry mouth or trouble having sex”.

In The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – Menopausal Hormone Therapy, published online 30 October 2023, the authors include:

“The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are effective in some, but not all, women with VMS. Paroxetine, 7.5 mg/day, has regulatory approval for VMS in the USA”.

Hot Flushes + Depression

Do antidepressants used to manage hot flushes also treat depression?

In Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? Non-Hormonal Medications To Treat Hot Flashes the (United States) National Institute on Aging note:

“People who take an antidepressant to help manage hot flashes generally take a lower dose than people who use the medication to treat depression or other psychiatric conditions”.

Off Label

What does “off-label” mean?

In Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? Non-Hormonal Medications To Treat Hot Flashes: Care and Treatment – How Do I Treat A Hot Flash?, dated 21 October 2024, the (United States) Cleveland Clinic’s definition is:

“Some prescription medications are used as off-label treatments to help reduce hot flashes. Using a product “off label” means that it’s not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hot flashes, but it can be safe and effective as a treatment option”.

Health Care Provider

What if I would like to try an antidepressant to treat my hot flushes?

The Cleveland Clinic also note:

Antidepressants for Hot Flushes“It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about any treatment option and discuss the pros and cons. Your provider is aware of your medical history. Some treatment options may not be safe to take with your other medications or other medical conditions”.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Antidepressants for Hot Flushes?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Antidepressants for Hot Flushes?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  2. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  3. Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In Video
  4. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  5. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  6. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  7. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? Non-Hormonal Medications To Treat Hot Flashes: Care and Treatment – How Do I Treat A Hot Flash?
  8. Hot Flashes: Diagnosis – Treatment: Antidepressants
  9. How Fezolinetant Advances Non-Hormonal Treatment of Hot Flashes [Video]
  10. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Menopause
    Antidepressants for Hot Flushes
  11. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  12. Managing Menopause Symptoms [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  13. Menopause Map: My Personal Path Print Tools – Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Antidepressants for Hot Flushes
  14. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  15. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  16. Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide
    Black Women’s Menopause
  17. Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms: Antidepressants
  18. Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
  19. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2024: Non-Pharmacological Interventions For VMS
  20. Rethinking Mental Health and Antidepressant Prescribing
  21. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
  22. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
  23. Treatments for Menopause

Last Updated: 17 March 2026 – Last Revised: 12 March 2026
/by
Copyright © 2011 – 2026 Meno Martha®. All Rights Reserved. | The information provided on  Meno Martha, Meno Martha International Menopause Directory and/or menomartha.com is for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for or replace the medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of your qualified health care providers. | By using this service you accept Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Terms of Use which incorporate Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy. | Meno Martha® is a registered Trademark | Meno Martha International Menopause Directory® is a registered Trademark.
Meno Martha and/or Meno Martha International Menopause Directory do not sell, produce or endorse any products, services or content of any kind including pills or potions for ‘menopause symptom relief’. Please Contact Us if you see or receive any advertisements allegedly by, for or on behalf of Meno Martha and/or Meno Martha International Menopause Directory.