Bellamine for hot flashes: An effective nonhormonal treatment?
My gynecologist just prescribed Bellamine to relieve my hot flashes. What can you tell me about the ingredients in this medication? Is it effective?
- Jan / Mississippi
Mayo Clinic breast-health specialist Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.
Answer
Bellamine is a prescription medication that is used to treat symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes. It is a combination of:
- Belladonna, an herb with antispasmodic properties
- Ergotamine, a medication that narrows blood vessels (vasoconstrictor)
- Phenobarbital, a barbiturate that reduces brain and nervous system activity
In two small clinical trials, the combination of belladonna, ergotamine and phenobarbital was found to be slightly more effective than a placebo in relieving hot flashes. But larger clinical trials are needed to support these initial findings.
Bellamine isn't usually recommended as a first-line drug to treat hot flashes because of its potential side effects, which can include sedation. For this reason, other medications — such as estrogens, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, gabapentin or clonidine — are often tried first before Bellamine.
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