Menopause typically starts in the mid- to late 40s and can trigger mood swings, insomnia and hot flashes that cause sweating, flushing and chills. These symptoms are brought on by a dip in estrogen and progesterone. In a significant breakthrough, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has just granted approval of Veozah, a new drug to effectively treat hot flashes and night sweats associated with “the change.”
How It Works
Veozah, the non-hormonal once-a-day pill, works by blocking receptors in the brain that regulate body temperature and offers an alternative to traditional HRT therapy commonly used to manage hot flashes. Clinical trials involving over 3,000 women revealed that Veozah significantly reduced the frequency of weekly hot flashes. The studies followed participants for a year, confirming the drug’s efficacy.
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, the director of the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health, expressed her enthusiasm to CNN, stating, “I think at the end of the day, it’s always good that women have more options, so I’m happy to see that there’s been further development in an overlooked field, and that is menopausal medicine. And that for women to have more options is always a good thing.” She emphasized the importance of ongoing research to understand this class of medication better.
Who Should Skip It
It is essential to note that Veozah carries a warning regarding the risk of liver injuries. The FDA advises undergoing blood tests to ensure no pre-existing conditions like liver damage or infection before starting the medication. They also advise undergoing periodic blood tests to monitor for signs of liver damage while taking the drug.
Side Effects
Common side effects include insomnia, back pain, hot flush, abdominal pain, diarrhea and elevated liver enzymes.
An Additional Safe Option
Dr. Janet Maynard, the director of the FDA’s Office of Rare Diseases, Pediatrics, Urologic and Reproductive Medicine, said in a press release: “Hot flashes as a result of menopause can be a serious physical burden on women and impact their quality of life. The introduction of a new molecule to treat moderate to severe menopausal hot flashes will provide an additional safe and effective treatment option for women.”
