Generic name: fezolinetant
Drug class: Miscellaneous central nervous system agents
Dosage form: tablets, for oral use
Availability: Prescription only
Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data available
Brand names: Fezolinetant
What is Veozah?
Veozah is a nonhormonal prescription medicine used to reduce moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) due to menopause.
Before a woman enters menopause, a balance exists between the estrogen hormones and a brain chemical called neurokinin B (NKB), that works to regulate the body’s temperature. During menopause, estrogen levels decline and this balance is disrupted, leading to vasomotor symptoms.
Veozah contains a drug called fezolinetant. Fezolinetant is a neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor antagonist that works to reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes by restoring the balance between estrogen and NKB by blocking NKB in the temperature control center of the brain.
What is Veozah used to treat?
Veozah is used for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause.
Vasomotor symptoms are intense feelings of heat ("hot flashes" or "hot flushes"), night sweats, and feelings of warmth in the face, neck, and chest that can occur frequently in women transitioning through menopause.
Menopause is the natural change in a woman’s life when her period stops, usually between the ages 45 and 55. Up to 80% of menopausal women are thought to experience hot flashes, which can include periods of sweating, flushing and chills lasting for several minutes.
How should I take Veozah
- Take Veozah tablets exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
- Take one Veozah tablet by mouth with or without food at about the same time each day.
- Swallow the tablet whole with liquid. Do not cut, crush, or chew the tablet.
- If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible on the same day, with at least 12 hours before the next scheduled dose. Return to your normal schedule the following day.
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Vasomotor Symptoms Due to Menopause
45 mg orally once daily
Use:
- treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause.
Before Taking
Do not use Veozah if you:
- have cirrhosis.
- have severe kidney problems or kidney failure.
- are taking certain medicines called CYP1A2 inhibitors. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking Veozah?
Before you start treatment, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have liver disease or liver problems.
- have kidney problems.
- have any medical conditions that may become worse during treatment.
Pregnancy
There are no data for Veozah use during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
There are no data for Veozah use during breastfeeding.
Veozah side effects
Veozah can cause serious side effects, including:
- increased liver blood test values. Your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your liver before you start treatment. Your healthcare provider will also do this blood test at month 3, month 6, and month 9 after you start taking Veozah.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have the following signs and symptoms of liver problems:
- nausea
- vomiting
- yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
- pain in the right upper stomach (abdomen)
Common Veozah side effects include:
- stomach (abdominal) pain
- diarrhea
- difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- back pain
- hot flashes or hot flushes
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See more: Veozah Side EffectsWhat other drugs will affect Veozah?
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Veozah may affect the way other medicines work, and vice versa. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you are taking certain medicines called CYP1A2 inhibitors.
CYP1A2 inhibitors include:
- fluvoxamine
- ciprofloxacin
- enoxacin
- methoxsalen
- mexiletine
- oral contraceptives
- vemurafenib
- acyclovir
- allopurinol
- cimetidine
- peginterferon alpha-2a
- piperine
- zileuton