New drug for menopausal hot flashes approved in UK

New drug for menopausal hot flashes approved in UK

Veoza is a nonhormonal menopausal medication that acts directly on the brain and prevents hot flashes. It blocks a brain protein called neurokinin3, which plays a unique role in regulating body temperature in menopausal women.

Menopause, which occurs when a woman goes 12 consecutive months without menstruation, can cause distressing symptoms in women up to ten years before it actually occurs.

There are more than 30 symptoms that can occur in varying degrees of intensity. These include hot flashes or vasomotor symptoms, which approximately 80% of women suffer from. These sudden, overwhelming bouts of heat can disrupt daily life, affecting everything from sleep and exercise to general productivity.

For decades, women struggling with menopausal symptoms have had limited safe and effective treatment options.

Hormone replacement therapy is the standard solution, but it's not right for everyone. Women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer, blood clots, or untreated high blood pressure are excluded from this option. Additionally, some women experience unwanted side effects, leading to the search for nonhormonal alternatives.

That's why Veoza is seen as hope for these women. Its mechanism of action, based on fezolinetant, controls certain receptors that trigger hot flashes. By modulating these receptors, the drug provides effective relief without relying on the traditional hormone replacement approach.