Lynkuet
Lynkuet (elinzanetant) is used to treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. It's the first medication approved by the FDA in its drug class (NK1 / NK3 receptor antagonists). This medication is a capsule that you take by mouth once daily at bedtime. It's common to have headaches or feel tired and dizzy as side effects.
What is Lynkuet (elinzanetant)?
What is Lynkuet (elinzanetant) used for?
Moderate-to-severe hot flashes and night sweats from menopause (vasomotor symptoms of menopause)
How Lynkuet (elinzanetant) works
Lynkuet (elinzanetant) is an NK1 / NK3 receptor antagonist. It stops certain chemicals in the brain from attaching to neurokinin 1 (NK1) and neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptors. These receptors help control body temperature and play a role in causing hot flashes.
By blocking signaling from NK1 and NK3, Lynkuet (elinzanetant) can help reduce hot flashes, or the sudden feeling of getting hot and sweating.
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What are the side effects of Lynkuet (elinzanetant)?
Common Side Effects
- Headaches (10%)
- Feeling tired (7%)
- Feeling dizzy (6%)
- Feeling drowsy (5%)
- Stomach pain (5%)
Other Side Effects
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- Muscle spasms
- Depression
- Skin that's more sensitive to sunlight
Serious Side Effects
- Extreme dizziness or drowsiness
- Liver damage: tiredness, itchiness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, low appetite, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, clay-colored stools, dark urine
Source: FDA
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of Lynkuet (elinzanetant)
Pros
Only taken once a day
Hormone-free treatment option
Can take with or without food
Can help make hot flashes happen less often and be less severe
Cons
Not approved for vaginal dryness or other vaginal menopause symptoms
Common to feel dizzy and drowsy
Must avoid grapefruit
Not recommended for people with moderate or severe liver problems
Pharmacist tips for Lynkuet (elinzanetant)
You can take Lynkuet (elinzanetant) with or without food. Food doesn't affect how well the medication works.
Swallow Lynkuet (elinzanetant) capsules whole with some water. Don't cut, crush, or chew the capsules.
Take Lynkuet (elinzanetant) around the same time every night before bedtime. This helps the medication levels stay stable in your body.
Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about the medications you take or plan to take. Lynkuet (elinzanetant) can interact with some medications, including some antibiotics and heart medications. Some interactions can raise your risk of side effects, while others can make Lynkuet (elinzanetant) work less well. Your prescriber might adjust medications to keep you safe.
If your dose is lowered to one capsule of Lynkuet (elinzanetant) each night, peel back the foil of the blister pack enough to take out just one capsule. Leave the other capsule sealed until your next dose.
Lynkuet (elinzanetant) can make you feel dizzy and drowsy. Don't drive or do anything that needs your full attention until these side effects go away. Talk to your prescriber if these side effects affect your daily life too much.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Lynkuet (elinzanetant). Alcohol can make you feel more drowsy and dizzy. It can also make menopause symptoms worse.
Don't eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking Lynkuet (elinzanetant). Grapefruit can make the levels of the medication too high in the body. This can raise your risk of side effects.
Stop taking Lynkuet (elinzanetant) and get medical help right away if you notice signs of liver problems. These can include feeling tired, itchy, or nauseous. You might also have stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine. Since this medication has a risk of liver damage, the care team can check if your liver is okay.
Frequently asked questions about Lynkuet (elinzanetant)
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What are the risks and warnings for Lynkuet (elinzanetant)?
Lynkuet (elinzanetant) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Dizziness and drowsiness
Risk factors: Taking medications that cause drowsiness | Drinking alcohol
Lynkuet (elinzanetant) can cause dizziness and drowsiness. The risk is higher if you also take other medications that make you feel dizzy or tired. Don't drive or do anything that requires you to be alert until these side effects wear off. If you need to get up during the night, stand up slowly and hold on to something until you feel stable to prevent falling.
Liver damage
Risk factors: History of liver problems
Although it's rare, some people who took Lynkuet (elinzanetant) had higher liver enzyme levels on their blood tests. This can be a sign of liver irritation or damage.
Because of this risk, you'll need to do a blood test before you start Lynkuet (elinzanetant). This helps your prescriber check that your liver is healthy enough to start treatment. You'll need another blood test 3 months after starting to make sure it's still safe for you. If your liver enzyme levels are too high, you'll probably need to stop taking it.
Stop taking Lynkuet (elinzanetant) and get medical help right away if you have signs of liver damage. You might feel tired, itchy, nauseous, or not very hungry. Other signs are vomiting, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes, light-colored stool, and dark urine.
Risk of pregnancy loss
Animal studies show that Lynkuet (elinzanetant) might harm an unborn baby or cause pregnancy loss. Because of this, you shouldn't take this medication if you're pregnant.
If you can get pregnant, you'll need to take a pregnancy test before starting Lynkuet (elinzanetant). Use an effective method of birth control while taking the medication and for 2 weeks after you stop. If you become pregnant, tell your prescriber right away.
Risk of seizures in people who've had one before
In studies, one person taking Lynkuet (elinzanetant) had a seizure. Keep in mind that this person had a history of seizures.
Before starting Lynkuet (elinzanetant), tell your prescriber if you've had a seizure before. Also let them know of any other conditions that could raise your risk of seizures. They can make sure this medication is safe for you.
Lynkuet (elinzanetant) dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 capsules of 60mg | 1 carton | $639.50 | $639.50 |
Typical dosing for Lynkuet (elinzanetant)
The typical dose is 120 mg (two 60 mg capsules) by mouth once daily at bedtime.
Your dose might differ if you take certain medications that interact with Lynkuet (elinzanetant).
How much does Lynkuet (elinzanetant) cost?
Lynkuet (elinzanetant) contraindications
Currently pregnant
What are alternatives to Lynkuet (elinzanetant)?
Moderate-to-severe hot flashes and night sweats from menopause (vasomotor symptoms of menopause)
Moderate-to-severe hot flashes and night sweats from menopause (vasomotor symptoms of menopause)
Moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) during menopause, including hot flashes and night sweats
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