NEW NON-HORMONAL DRUG FOR MANAGING HOT FLASHES GETS US FDA NOD

HERE is some good news for women experiencing hot flashes, a common symptom of menopause, which is a normal, natural change in a woman’s life when her period stops.

- KAVITA BAJELI-DATT @New Delhi

A latest study has found that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved new non-hormonal prescription medicine to treat moderate to severe hot flashes and night symptoms caused by menopause is effective and safe.

The drug elinzanetant was found to significantly reduce both the frequency and severity of hot flashes, while improving women’s sleep and quality of life.

This new menopause drug contains no estrogen and offers an important new option for women who cannot or do not wish to take existing treatment options because of potential side effects, said experts. It is the second non-hormonal drug to receive US FDA approval. The US FDA had first approved Veozah (Fezolinetant) in 2023 as the first non-hormonal oral medication for treating moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms - commonly known as hot flashes, said Dr Bharani Vijayaragavan, Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Motherhood Hospital, Chennai.

Though these medicines are not available in India yet, they are considered breakthrough medicines for women who do not prefer hormone therapy.