Scientists recently studied the impact of a prescription antiseizure drug on 420 women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer who suffered two or more hot flashes a day. The women were randomly selected to receive daily doses of 300 mg or 900 mg of Neurontin (generic name: gabapentin) or a dummy drug.

After eight weeks of treatment, the research team reported a 31 percent fall in hot flashes among the 300 mg group and a 15 percent drop among those given a placebo. Those taking the 900 mg dose noted a 46 percent reduction.

The scientists could not comment on long-term use of the drug, adding that the effects of doses higher than 900 mg per day merit further study Neurontin is widely used to treat epilepsy and post-shingles pain in adults.