Drug that targets hot flushes approved in UK and EU

A new drug that prevents hot flushes during menopause has been approved for use in the UK and the EU.

Veoza, also known as fezolinetant, has been given the go-ahead by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the European Commission after it was approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration earlier this year.

Hot flushes, also known as vasomotor symptoms, are a common symptom of menopause that often feels like a sudden flare of heat, paired with sweating and flushed skin. Worldwide, more than half of women between 40 to 64 years experience them, with rates in Europe ranging from 56 per cent to 97 per cent.

Before menopause, there is a balance between oestrogens and a protein made by the brain, known as neurokinin B (NKB), that regulates the brain’s temperature control centre. As the body goes through menopause, oestrogen levels decline and this balance is disrupted, which can lead to hot flushes.

Veoza, developed by the Japanese drug maker Astellas Pharma, reduces the number and intensity of hot flushes and night sweats by blocking neurokinin-3.

“Hot flushes and night sweats caused by menopause are common and can have a significant impact on a woman’s daily life,” explained Julian Beach, the interim executive director of healthcare quality and access at the MHRA.

“We are therefore pleased to have authorised Veoza (fezolinetant) for hot flushes and night sweats caused by menopause via our reliance procedure.

“No medicine would be approved unless it met our expected standards of safety, quality and effectiveness and we continue to keep the safety of all medicines under close review.”

Professor Rossella Nappi, associate professor of obstetrics and gynaecology and director of the gynaecological endocrinology and menopause unit IRCCS San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia, said: “I’ve been awaiting the marketing authorisation of fezolinetant.

“I’m happy to see this advancement in women’s health and that my patients will soon have this new non-hormonal treatment option available to better control their moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms.”