Fezolinetant (Veozah)
A non-hormonal pill that targets the brain’s temperature center.
VIDEO LESSON
How it's taken
• 45 mg once daily, with or without food
Side effects at a glance
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea
• Insomnia and back pain
Rare but serious
• Liver injury: the label carries a boxed warning; stop and seek care for fatigue, itching, dark urine, pale stools or yellowing skin or eyes
Monitoring
Liver blood tests before starting and on the schedule in the label during treatment.
Good to know
Not for people with cirrhosis, severe kidney impairment or who take medicines that strongly inhibit CYP1A2.
AT A GLANCE
Class
Non-hormonal
Brand names
Veozah
Status
FDA-approved
Reviewed by
Farhan Tahir, MD
Is this medicine right for you?
Prescription medicines need individual medical advice. Dr. Tahir’s team offers consults through Youthful Medicine.
MECHANISM
How it works
Blocks neurokinin-3 (NK3) receptors on KNDy neurons in the hypothalamus. When estrogen falls these neurons overfire and destabilize temperature control; quieting them reduces hot flashes without using hormones. Taken once daily.
THE EVIDENCE
What the research actually shows.
EVIDENCE SUMMARY
Approved by the FDA on May 12, 2023 for moderate to severe hot flashes caused by menopause, the first drug of its kind. Approval was based on the SKYLIGHT 1 and 2 trials, which showed fewer and less severe hot flashes than placebo by week 4 and through week 12.
KEY TRIALS
SKYLIGHT 1 · SKYLIGHT 2 · SKYLIGHT 4
TYPICAL RESULT
Fewer and milder hot flashes vs placebo by week 4
SAFETY
Risks, side effects and who should avoid it
Carries a boxed warning for rare but serious liver injury. Liver blood tests are required before starting and regularly during the first months of treatment. Stop and call your clinician for fatigue, itching, nausea, dark urine, pale stools or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This summary is not a complete list of risks. Read the official prescribing information and discuss your own history with your clinician.
KEY REFERENCE
U.S. FDA. FDA approves novel drug to treat moderate to severe hot flashes caused by menopause. News release, May 12, 2023.
Educational content only, reviewed by Farhan Tahir, MD. Not individual medical advice. Medicines named here require a prescription and medical supervision.