A non-hormonal drug for treating hot flushes and night sweats during menopause is now available on the NHS in England when HRT (hormone replacement therapy) isn’t suitable, reports the BBC.
The treatment, called Veozah, is a daily pill which blocks nerve pathways in the brain that trigger the symptoms, and could help around half a million women, particularly those who can’t use HRT because of underlying health conditions, and whose options up until now have been limited.
Veozah, also known as fezolinetant, is an important option, sais Helen Knight, Director of medicines evaluation at NICE – the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – which provides guidance on how to improve healthcare.
“The evidence shows fezolinetant can meaningfully reduce symptoms, and was found to be cost effective.”
The drug can be used in cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism, and in some cases of diabetes or heart disease when HRT isn’t suitable.
However, it is not going to be an option for everyone, added NICE, saying Veozah was not recommended for women with breast cancer, other oestrogen-dependent cancers or liver disease because these groups were not included in clinical trials of the drug. As a result, there are no data available on the risks or benefits to these women.
Voezah was approved in 2023, but has only now been recommended by NICE on the NHS for treating moderate to severe symptoms of menopausal hot flushes and night sweats
BBC article – Alternative to HRT for menopausal hot flushes now on NHS (Open access)
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