One of the most bothersome menopause symptoms is hot flashes.
Hormone therapy is by far the best treatment for hot flashes. But due to concerns about safety, many women and their doctors are reluctant to prescribe hormone therapy even though new studies clearly show estrogen is both safe and effective for the majority of women for the treatment of hot flashes.
A new study has reviewed a new class of medication that is not a hormone. It is called a KNDY (candy) neuron modulator and it works by changing pathways in the brain to reduce hot flashes.
The new medication in this new study is called Elinzanetant. The medication seems both safe and effective for hot flashes and may also improve sleep, sexual function and quality of life. Another similar medication called Fezolinetant is also being studied. Fezolinetant is likely to be available to patients in the next 6 to 12 months. Elinzanetant will likely be available in 12 to 24 months.
So far, both of these medications seem safe and effective for hot flashes and are likely to be excellent estrogen alternatives. You will start to hear more about these medications in the months to come as they get closer to market. So stay tuned.
Below is a video of my interview with Dr. Jim Simon who was the first author on the Elinzanetant study that was recently published in the journal Menopause.
