The FDA Approved A New Menopause Drug To Treat Hot Flashes

"I remember when my mom was going through menopause and, suddenly red and sweating, she'd stop what she was doing to go stand under a ceiling fan - she called these her "personal summers." Up to 80% of women experience hot flashes and night sweats during menopause, and they can last for years, according to Harvard Health. On Friday, the FDA approved a new drug - elinzanetant - to treat moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats without the use of hormones."

"Instead, the drug works by blocking two types of receptors in the brain that impact temperature regulation. In research trials, it successfully reduced the frequency and severity of both night sweats and hot flashes in postmenopausal women ages 40 to 65 when compared to a placebo. Most participants reported improvement in their symptoms, and their ability to sleep at night, one week after beginning treatment, according to Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, one of the lead clinical trial investigators, in an interview with The New York Times."

Up to 80% of women experience hot flashes and night sweats during menopause, which can persist for years. The FDA approved elinzanetant as a non-hormonal option to treat moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats. Bayer will market the drug as Lynkuet, a soft gel capsule taken once daily at bedtime with or without food, available in the U.S. beginning in November. Elinzanetant blocks two types of brain receptors involved in temperature regulation and reduced both frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms in clinical trials. Most participants reported symptom improvement and better sleep within one week. Fezolinetant targets the same pathway but blocks only one receptor.

Read at Scary Mommy