Drug that prevents hot flushes to be available on NHS in England | Menopause
More than 500,000 women in England will be offered a drug to prevent hot flashes on the NHS.
The green light for Veoza, also known as fezolinetant, comes after medicines watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence cleared it for use on Wednesday.
Hot flashes, also called vasomotor symptoms, affect approximately 70% of women entering menopause. Women may feel suddenly and overwhelmingly hot, often affecting their quality of life, exercise, sleep, and productivity.
Despite the large number of women affected, there have been few safe and effective treatment options available for decades. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most effective, but this is not suitable for many people, such as some women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer, blood clots, or untreated high blood pressure. Some women may experience side effects or prefer a non-hormonal alternative.
A new treatment option for menopausal hot flashes and night sweats will be available on the NHS for cases where HRT is not suitable. The treatment, made by Astellas Pharma, works by blocking nerve pathways in the brain.
HRT remains a first-line treatment option, and given its established benefits and the variety of formulations currently available, most people with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms are likely to continue taking it. However, fezolinant fills an urgent need for people who cannot or do not want to use HRT, Nice said.
The Guardian understands around 500,000 women will be eligible for the aid.
Fezolinetant 45 mg tablet is taken once a day and is a non-hormonal treatment that works by blocking nerve pathways in the brain that trigger hot flashes and night sweats.
Helen Knight, director of drug evaluation at Nice, said: “We know that menopausal hot flashes and night sweats can have a profound impact on quality of life and significantly impact general wellbeing.
“Options have historically been limited for those who cannot receive HRT for a variety of reasons, and we have heard clearly from patients how difficult this can be.
“The evidence shows that fezolinant can meaningfully reduce symptoms and has been found to be cost-effective and delivers value for taxpayers. This decision will provide much-needed relief to those for whom HRT is not suitable.”
NHS England’s national clinical director for women’s health, Dr. Sue Mann said: “Menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats can affect all areas of a woman’s life, so this is particularly welcome news for women who cannot or do not want to take hormone replacement therapy.
“This is another vital treatment option that could help hundreds of thousands of women going through menopause better manage their symptoms and gain more control over their health.”
