Key takeaways:
Lynkuet (elinzanetant) is a nonhormonal medication that’s FDA approved to relieve hot flashes due to menopause. It works by blocking chemicals in your brain that play a role in raising body temperature.
Lynkuet typically starts working within 4 weeks (1 month) of starting treatment. But some people may begin to notice hot flash reduction in as little as 1 week. It may take up to 12 weeks (3 months) to experience Lynkuet’s full effects.
Common Lynkuet side effects include dizziness and drowsiness. Taking your doses at bedtime can help limit daytime drowsiness. Don’t drive or perform other tasks requiring focus in the hours after taking Lynkuet.
There are ways to save on Lynkuet. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card could help you get Lynkuet for as little as $25 per month. A patient assistance program is also available.
Save on related medications
Menopause brings with it many possible symptoms. Hot flashes and night sweats are two that you might experience. If at-home remedies and over-the-counter products aren’t enough to manage your symptoms, there are several prescription options that can help.
Lynkuet (elinzanetant) is a new type of nonhormonal menopause medication. It was FDA approved in October 2025 to relieve hot flashes and night sweats (also known as vasomotor symptoms, or VMS) due to menopause.
If you’ve recently been prescribed Lynkuet, it’s common to have questions about it. Top of mind for many is how long it takes Lynkuet to work. Below are pharmacist-backed answers to five frequently asked questions about Lynkuet.
1. How long does it take Lynkuet (elinzanetant) to work?
In clinical trials, people reported a significant reduction in VMS within 4 weeks (1 month) of starting Lynkuet. But some people reported that the medication started working in as little as 1 week. It may take up to 12 weeks (3 months) to experience Lynkuet’s full effects.
2. How does Lynkuet (elinzanetant) work?
Lynkuet is a dual neurokinin-1 (NK1) and neurokinin-3 (NK3) receptor antagonist. It works by targeting areas of the brain that regulate body temperature.
Lynkuet blocks the chemicals neurokinin B (NKB) and substance P from attaching to their receptors (binding sites). When these chemicals are more active, your body temperature goes up.
Estrogen helps to keep NKB and substance P in check. But during menopause, your estrogen levels naturally drop. As a result, these chemicals can become more active. And this often leads to hot flashes.
By blocking NKB and substance P binding sites, Lynkuet helps reduce hot flashes caused by these chemicals.
3. Who is Lynkuet (elinzanetant) for?
Lynkuet is approved for women who are experiencing moderate-to-severe VMS during menopause. Most healthcare professionals will say you’re in menopause when you haven’t had a period for at least 1 year. Lynkuet hasn’t been studied for use during perimenopause (the transitional years leading up to menopause).
Lynkuet doesn’t help treat vaginal menopause symptoms, such as vaginal dryness. So if you’re also experiencing these, your prescriber may consider a medication that can target all your symptoms, such as hormone therapy. Or they may suggest combining Lynkuet with a medication that just treats vaginal symptoms, such as a vaginal estrogen cream.
4. What are the side effects of Lynkuet (elinzanetant)?
Common Lynkuet side effects include:
Headaches
Fatigue
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Stomach pain
Rash
Diarrhea
Muscle spasms
How long does menopause last? Check out our GoodRx guide to the stages and timeline of menopause.
Compare treatment 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 one woman’s firsthand account of experiencing hot flashes — and her top tips for managing them.
Drowsiness related to Lynkuet may be more intense for some people. That’s why you should take your doses at bedtime. Don’t attempt to drive or perform other actions requiring focus until this side effect wears off. A good tip is to dedicate at least 9 hours to sleep after taking Lynkuet.
Although rare, there have been reports of elevated liver enzymes (proteins) in people who took Lynkuet. Liver enzymes are a marker of liver function. And higher levels can point to potential liver damage.
Your prescriber will likely ask you to go for routine liver function tests, especially when you first start taking Lynkuet. This will help them make sure the medication isn’t impacting your liver.
In clinical trials, one participant experienced seizures while taking Lynkuet. Animal studies also suggest the medication may have this side effect. Before starting Lynkuet, tell your prescriber if you have a history of seizures or take other medications that raise the risk of seizures.
5. How is Lynkuet (elinzanetant) different from Veozah?
Lynkuet and Veozah (fezolinetant) are similar in many ways. But one difference is how they work in the body.
Lynkuet and Veozah are both nonhormonal medications. And they both work by blocking NKB in the brain. But Lynkuet also blocks substance P. Research suggests that blocking substance P may help improve sleep quality and mood. So Lynkuet may have additional benefits that Veozah doesn’t. But more research is needed to say for sure.
The table below highlights some of the other differences between Lynkuet and Veozah.
| Lynkuet | Veozah | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Elinzanetant | Fezolinetant |
| Medication class | NK1/NK3 receptor antagonist | NK3 receptor antagonist |
| Available dosage form | 60 mg capsule | 45 mg tablet |
| Typical dosage | 2 capsules by mouth once daily | 1 tablet by mouth once daily |
| Best time to take it | At bedtime | Any time of day is fine, as long as you’re consistent |
| Notable dosage adjustments |
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| Common side effects |
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How to save on Lynkuet
There are ways to save on Lynkuet, which is available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between patient assistance programs and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription:
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 a month for Lynkuet using a savings card from the manufacturer.
Save with a patient assistance program. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Lynkuet’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.
The bottom line
Lynkuet (elinzanetant) is a nonhormonal option for managing menopause-related hot flashes. Lynkuet takes about 4 weeks (1 month) to start working for most people. But some people may notice some hot flash relief in as little as 1 week. It may take up to 12 weeks (3 months) to experience Lynkuet’s full effects.
Lynkuet works by blocking chemicals in your brain that play a role in raising body temperature. Lynkuet is FDA approved for women who’ve entered menopause. It hasn’t been studied for use during perimenopause (the transitional years leading up to menopause).
Lynkuet can cause dizziness and drowsiness. These side effects may be intense for some people. Take your doses at bedtime to help limit daytime drowsiness. And avoid driving or performing other activities that require you to be alert in the hours after taking Lynkuet.
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References
Hager, M., et al. (2024). Elinzanetant, a new combined neurokinin-1/-3 receptor antagonist for the treatment of postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy.
Jayasena, C. N., et al. (2015). Neurokinin B administration induces hot flushes in women. Scientific Reports.
National Institute on Aging. (2024). What is menopause? National Institutes of Health.
Pinkerton, J. V., et al. (2024). Elinzanetant for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause: Oasis 1 and 2 randomized clinical trials. JAMA.
Rance, N. E. (2008). Menopause and the human hypothalamus: Evidence for the role of kisspeptin/neurokinin B neurons in the regulation of estrogen negative feedback. Peptides.
The Menopause Society. (n.d.). Menopause definitions.
The Menopause Society. (n.d.). Menopause topics: Symptoms.
