New Hot Flash Medication Reduces Vasomotor Symptoms and Improves Menopause Sleep Without Hormones

Few things are worse than waking up from night sweats or dealing with hot flashes throughout the day. Both — known as vasomotor symptoms (VMS) — are two of the most well-known signs that you’re going through menopause. You can try hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as it is a generic form of treatment, but it’s not always beneficial for everyone. Instead, hot flash medication — an experimental drug called elinzanetant — doesn’t use hormones and has been shown to reduce hot flashes and improve sleep based on a study from the journal JAMA Network . Keep reading to learn more about the results and how this medicine can help during menopause.

What is hot flash medication?

The latest hot flash medication is an experimental drug called elinzanetant. It works by blocking the brain chemicals responsible for menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. It’s also free of hormones, an appealing option for those who would prefer to avoid hormonal therapy.

The U.S Food and Drug Administration approved a similar drug called fezolinetant last year –  it was sold as Vezoah and was also hormone-free. And while these treatment options seem promising, their relatively new availability can make it difficult to secure.

Elinzanetant was created by Bayer and the team has already submitted their study results to the FDA for approval.

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What did the study reveal about elinzanetant?

The study, published in August 2024, involved about 400 women whose hot flashes and sleep disturbance symptoms were moderate to severe. Researchers classified this as having more than 50 hot flashes a week with anywhere from 14-16 per day.

These women were divided into two groups: one group was given elinzanetant while the other half was given a placebo (which does nothing). The women took their selected pill once a day and kept diaries to monitor their progress for the 26-week duration of the study. After 12 weeks, the women who were given the placebo to start were switched to elinzanetant for the remaining 14 weeks.

It is unknown how much the drug will cost and if it’s covered by insurance. The study also noted that there were minimal side effects from the medicine and headaches and fatigue were the most common.

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Elinzanetant showed significant improvement in menopause symptoms

According to the study, women who were taking elinzanetant experienced a reduction of at minimum two severe hot flashes a day, outpacing the placebo group within the first week. By the 12th week of the study, more than 70 percent of the medicated group were responding positively to the medication, and more than 80 percent responded by the end of the clinical trial.

Sleep disturbances are also common during menopause

Hot flashes are a sudden feeling of being extremely hot, especially around the face, head and chest areas that cause intense sweating and flushing. When these happen during one’s sleep , they’re called night sweats and can be extremely disruptive during the rest cycle.

“Sleep disturbances can substantially impair quality of life during menopause and additionally have implications for women’s physical health as they age,” notes the study. Many women who were taking elinzanetant reported that their quality of sleep was improved due to fewer disruptions from night sweats.

For more menopause relief

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan .