The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just approved a new once-a-day pill named Lynkuet, aimed at helping menopausal women deal with moderate to severe hot flashes without using hormones. Bayer, the company behind this medication, expects it to be available in November.
Hot flashes, a common symptom in menopause, affect over 80% of women. Lynkuet works by blocking specific brain chemicals that trigger these uncomfortable sensations. Christine Roth from Bayer highlighted that this represents an important shift towards more individualized care for menopause.
While hormone therapy is effective for many, some women, especially those with certain health concerns, can’t use it. For them, non-hormonal options like Lynkuet and other recent treatments are crucial. A recent clinical trial involving 628 women found that those taking Lynkuet experienced a more than 73% reduction in hot flashes over 12 weeks, compared to 47% for those on a placebo.
However, some side effects like drowsiness and fatigue were reported. Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton from UVA Health noted that this year-long study confirmed that the drug effectively reduces hot flashes and provides hope for longer-lasting relief.
Hot flashes can be sudden and intense, often causing significant disruption in daily life, whether at work or home. Claire Gill, president of the National Menopause Foundation, emphasized the importance of having more treatment options.
This year, the FDA also approved another non-hormonal drug called fezolinetant, which works similarly by targeting brain pathways involved in hot flashes. Research shows that as estrogen levels drop during menopause, certain brain signals can become overactive, leading to these symptoms.
Both Lynkuet and fezolinetant aim to address this, blocking signals that lead to hot flashes. With these new options, women now have more ways to manage their menopause symptoms effectively.
For more information on menopause treatments, check out resources from the National Institutes of Health.
Source link
hot flashes,menopause,us food and drug administration
