Two New Treatment Options in Women's Health

In May 2023, the U.S. FDA approved a new nonhormonal oral agent — fezolinetant (Veozah) — to relieve vasomotor menopausal symptoms. This drug is a first-in-class neurokinin-3 receptor antagonist that improves thermoregulatory sensitivity in the brain. In studies published during 2023, fezolinetant reduced the frequency of hot flashes by 2 or 3 episodes daily compared with placebo, and it also reduced severity of symptoms. Benefits were seen as soon as 1 week, and the drug was well tolerated through 1 year of use; headache was the most common side effect. Contraindications include cirrhosis and severe renal disease, and it has several important drug interactions. Baseline liver function testing (and then repeat testing every 3 months) is adv…