- The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK has approved elinzanetant, a new non-hormonal daily pill for menopausal hot flushes, making it the first global regulator to do so.
- Developed by Bayer, elinzanetant offers an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women experiencing vasomotor symptoms, commonly known as hot flushes.
- The medication works by calming specific brain signals that become overactive due to declining oestrogen levels during menopause, which disrupt the body's temperature regulation.
- Clinical trials demonstrated that the drug is safe, well-tolerated, effectively reduces hot flushes, improves sleep, and enhances the quality of life for women compared to a placebo.
- While not yet available on the NHS, the MHRA's approval means elinzanetant can be purchased privately in the UK and will be considered by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
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