Gabapentin in Treating Hot Flashes in Patients With Prostate Cancer

Required characteristics:

1. Men with a history of prostate cancer who have received or are receiving androgen ablation therapy.
2. Must be on a stable dose of hormone therapy for the past 4 weeks and must not be planning on discontinuing hormone therapy throughout the duration of the randomized phase (5 weeks).
3. Presence of hot flashes for ≥1 month prior to study entry.
4. Bothersome hot flashes (defined by their occurrence ≥14 times per week and of sufficient severity to make the patient desire therapeutic intervention).
5. Life expectancy ≥ 6 months.
6. ECOG Performance Status (PS) 0 or 1.
7. ≥18 years of age

Contraindications:

1. History of renal insufficiency (defined as a creatinine ≥1.5 x UNL in the last two years).
2. Any of the following current (≤ 4 weeks) or planned therapies:

   * Antineoplastic chemotherapy
   * Androgens
   * Estrogens
   * Progestational agents
3. History of allergic or other adverse reaction to gabapentin.
4. Prior use of gabapentin.
5. Antidepressants (use is allowed if patient has been on a stable dose for ≥1 month and does not plan to modify this treatment during the next 5 weeks).