8 Lynkuet (Elinzanetant) Side Effects You Should Know About

Lynkuet (elinzanetant) is one of several medications that can help relieve hot flashes due to menopause. Unlike many menopause medications, it’s nonhormonal. This can be helpful if you’re having trouble tolerating the side effects of hormonal treatments, such as estrogen supplements.

While Lynkuet doesn’t have the same risks as menopausal hormone therapy, it does have side effects to know about. Most Lynkuet side effects, such as drowsiness and headache, are mild in nature. But more serious side effects are possible, too, although they’re rare.

Lynkuet (elinzanetant) side effects at a glance

Most Lynkuet side effects are generally mild. Serious complications are very rare. But it’s good to know about both mild and serious side effects and when to seek help.

Common or mild Lynkuet side effects include:

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Drowsiness

• Stomach pain

• Diarrhea

• Mild rash

• Muscle spasms

• Sun sensitivity

Rare but serious Lynkuet side effects include:

• Severe drowsiness or dizziness

• Elevated liver enzymes (proteins)

• Seizures

• Depression

• Pregnancy loss (which is why you shouldn’t take Lynkuet until you’re in menopause)

• Allergic reactions

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Below, you’ll find more details about eight notable Lynkuet side effects, plus tips for managing them.

1. Headache

Headache was the most commonly reported Lynkuet side effect in clinical trials. But in most cases, headaches weren’t severe or frequent enough to cause people to stop taking Lynkuet. Tell your prescriber if you have a history of headaches or migraines before starting this medication.

If you experience headaches while taking Lynkuet, try these tips to help manage them:

• Drink extra water or other hydrating fluids.

• Optimize your sleep hygiene to support better sleep quality. Good things to try include maintaining a consistent bedtime and avoiding screens for 2 hours before bed.

• Rest in a dark, quiet room if you can.

• Apply an ice pack or cool compress to your head.

• Exercise regularly or add more movement to your routine to help prevent headaches.

• Ask a healthcare professional if you can take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

If your headaches seem severe or excessive, tell your prescriber. This isn’t typical with Lynkuet.

2. Drowsiness or fatigue

Lynkuet can make you feel drowsy or fatigued. That’s why you should take it at bedtime. Taking your dose shortly before you go to sleep can help limit daytime drowsiness. If you take other medications that cause drowsiness, this side effect may be more intense for you.

For most people, this Lynkuet side effect should be mild and go away when they wake up the next morning. But it’s possible to experience more severe drowsiness. This could raise your risk of falls or injury.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How long does menopause last? Check out our GoodRx guide to the stages and timeline of menopause.

• Compare options: Lynkuet (elinzanetant) is one of several available menopause treatments. Learn about the different options and how to save on them.

• Advice for hot flashes: Read a first-hand account of one woman’s experience with hot flashes, including her top tips for managing them.

Don’t drive or perform tasks requiring focus until this Lynkuet side effect wears off. A good rule is to dedicate at least 9 hours to sleep after taking a dose. If drowsiness or fatigue are affecting your daily routine despite following this tip, tell your prescriber. Lynkuet may not be right for you.

3. Dizziness

Lynkuet can also cause or contribute to dizziness. It’s also possible for you to experience dizziness and drowsiness together. Taking Lynkuet with other medications that cause dizziness may raise your risk of experiencing this side effect.

Typically, dizziness with Lynkuet is mild and wears off in the hours after you take it. Taking your dose at bedtime can help prevent you from feeling dizzy during the day. But in some cases, dizziness could be more severe or longer-lasting.

If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down in a safe area. Be careful standing up, and try to stay well hydrated throughout the day. If dizziness persists or causes you to fall, tell your prescriber. Lynkuet may not be the right medication for you.

4. Stomach pain

Stomach pain is another common Lynkuet side effect. This should be mild and easy to manage at home. Taking Lynkuet with food may help limit or prevent this side effect.

Keep in mind that stomach pain can have many potential causes. If it’s severe or doesn’t go away, contact your healthcare team. Sometimes, abdominal pain can be a symptom of liver problems (a rare but potentially serious Lynkuet side effect).

5. Diarrhea

Many medications cause diarrhea. While Lynkuet can also cause this side effect, it’s relatively uncommon. Diarrhea from Lynkuet shouldn’t be severe or persistent.

The following tips can help you manage diarrhea at home:

• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

• Avoid or limit greasy, spicy, or fatty foods.

• Avoid or limit alcohol and caffeine.

• Try eating a bland diet for a few days.

• Avoid dairy products, which can worsen diarrhea.

• Ask your healthcare team if you can take OTC antidiarrhea medications, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D).

If your diarrhea is accompanied by a fever or you see blood in your stool, seek medical help. There may be another cause for your symptoms, such as an infection.

6. Rash

Some people reported mild rashes while taking Lynkuet in studies. These included red, itchy rashes and hives. This Lynkuet side effect could happen at any time while taking the medication.

If you develop any type of rash while taking Lynkuet, contact your prescriber. This could indicate that you’re allergic to the medication. Oftentimes, these reactions can be managed with OTC medications. But in rare cases, allergic reactions could be more serious.

If you have severe or life-threatening symptoms, such as trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

7. Elevated liver enzymes

Very rarely, Lynkuet can elevate liver enzymes. This is a marker of liver function. High enzyme levels can mean that there’s extra strain on your liver. And they can be a sign of liver damage.

This Lynkuet side effect is reversible and typically doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms. If you stop taking the medication, your liver enzyme levels should go back to normal. There have been no reports of Lynkuet causing liver damage.

Liver enzyme changes are most likely to happen during the first 3 months after you start taking Lynkuet. But they can occur at any time. Your prescriber should ask you to go for a liver function test before starting Lynkuet and occasionally while taking it. You’ll likely go for blood tests more frequently when you start the medication.

If you have a history of liver problems, make sure your prescriber knows before you start taking Lynkuet. And if you develop any of the following symptoms of liver damage, seek medical attention:

• Stomach pain

• Dark urine

• Nausea or vomiting

• White or clay-colored stools

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

8. Seizures

During clinical trials, one participant taking Lynkuet experienced seizures. Researchers aren’t sure if the medication caused this symptom. However, animal studies found that convulsions (involuntary muscle contractions) were more likely to happen in animals exposed to Lynkuet. So it’s possible that the medication could raise your risk for seizures.

To be safe, tell your prescriber if you have a history of seizures before starting Lynkuet. You should also review your medication list with them. There are several medications that have a risk of seizures. Combining Lynkuet with one or more of them may make seizures more likely to happen.

If you experience a seizure while taking Lynkuet, seek medical help right away. And make sure your prescriber knows this happened. They may suggest stopping Lynkuet.

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Written by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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