A new drug 'switches off' hot flushed, one of the key symptoms of menopuase, and could soon be made available in the UK. The drug, fezolinetant, has just been approved for use in the USA and is now being assessed for release in Europe.
The drug, made by Astellas Pharma, could be suitable for women unable to take HRT.
Professor Waljit Dhillo, an endocrinologist at Imperial College London, told The Guardian: “This is going to be a completely blockbuster drug. It’s like a switch. Within a day or two the flushes go away. It’s unbelievable how well these drugs work. It’s going to be completely gamechanging for a lot of women."
The drug works by blocking a protein called neurokinin-3 that plays a role in regulating body temperature in menopausal women.
Trials showed that after 12 weeks of use the drug reduced the frequency of hot flushes by 60%. It also reduced the severity of flushes and improved sleep.
Women reported an instant impact after taking just one pill. 70% of women going through menopause suffer hot flushes.
