Women in the UK will soon be able to access a new non-hormonal treatment to relieve one of menopause’s most disruptive symptoms, hot flushes, following its approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The new drug, elinzanetant, marketed under the name Lynkuet, is the first treatment of its kind globally to receive regulatory approval. Developed by pharmaceutical company Bayer, Lynkuet is positioned as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is currently the most widely used treatment for menopause-related symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats.
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While effective, HRT is not suitable for all women due to medical conditions or personal preference. Elinzanetant offers a hormone-free option that works by targeting specific brain signals involved in the body’s temperature regulation that are believed to become overactive as oestrogen levels decline during menopause.
Clinical trials showed that the daily pill was safe, well-tolerated, and significantly reduced the frequency and severity of hot flushes compared to a placebo. Women also reported improvements in sleep quality and overall well-being.
Julian Beach, MHRA’s interim executive director of healthcare quality and access, said, “Hot flushes and night sweats associated with menopause can have a significant negative impact on quality of life. We are therefore pleased to announce our approval of elinzanetant, which offers a non-hormonal alternative for those who may not be able to, or prefer not to, take hormone-based therapies.”
Although elinzanetant is not yet available through the NHS, it will be offered privately and is currently under review by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for potential inclusion in public healthcare coverage.
Menopause typically affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but can begin earlier. Symptoms can include hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety, brain fog, mood swings, and irregular periods.
