Clonidine
Clonidine is a drug used to treat high blood pressure. It can be used to reduce hot flushes after ovarian cancer. Side effects of clonidine include a dry mouth and blurred vision.
Gabapentin
Gabapentin is a drug used to treat epileptic fits. It has been shown to be effective in reducing hot flushes. Many women find gabapentin acceptable to use. However, up to half of the women who use gabapentin experience side effects including sleepiness, light-headedness, and dizziness. These side effects may resolve with time or can be reduced by adjusting the dose.
Venlafaxine (Efexor®) and other similar drugs
Many studies have shown that antidepressants like venlafaxine (Efexor®), paroxetine (Paxil®), fluoxetine (Prozac®), citalopram (Celexa®) or sertraline (Zoloft®) may reduce hot flushes. Venlafaxine is more effective than clonidine. These drugs act quickly (within a week) but may not have a long-lasting effect.Around a quarter of women experience side effects with antidepressants.