Veozah
Veozah (fezolinetant) helps treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. It belongs to the drug class called neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor antagonists. Veozah (fezolinetant) is a hormone-free medication. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth once a day. Side effects can include stomach pain, diarrhea, and trouble sleeping. There's currently no generic version available.
What is Veozah (fezolinetant)?
What is Veozah (fezolinetant) used for?
- Moderate-to-severe hot flashes and night sweats from menopause (vasomotor symptoms of menopause)
How Veozah (fezolinetant) works
Veozah (fezolinetant) is a neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor antagonist. It blocks a chemical in the brain called neurokinin B (NKB). This chemical plays a role in regulating body temperature and causing hot flashes.
By blocking NKB, Veozah (fezolinetant) can help lessen hot flashes (when you feel hot and start sweating).
Drug facts
Side effects of Veozah (fezolinetant)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Stomach pain (4%)
- Diarrhea (4%)
- Trouble sleeping (4%)
- Back pain (3%)
- Hot flush (3%)
- Higher liver enzyme levels (2%)
Veozah (fezolinetant) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Liver damage: tiredness, itchiness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, low appetite, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, clay-colored stools, dark urine
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The following Veozah (fezolinetant) 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):
- Back pain
- Diarrhea
- Hot flashes
- Stomach pain
- Trouble sleeping
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Pros and cons of Veozah (fezolinetant)
Pros
- Taken once a day
- Works well to lessen how often you have hot flashes from menopause and lower how severe they are
- Hormone-free treatment option
- Can take with or without food
Cons
- Not approved for helping with vaginal dryness or other vaginal menopause symptoms
- Might cause unpleasant side effects, like stomach pain, diarrhea, and back pain
- Need lab work often for the first 9 months to check liver health
- Not recommended for people with severe kidney problems or liver cirrhosis
Pharmacist tips for Veozah (fezolinetant)
- Swallow Veozah (fezolinetant) tablets whole with a drink. Don't cut, crush, or chew the tablets.
- Take Veozah (fezolinetant) at about the same time every day. This helps the medication levels stay stable in your body so it works the best it can. It also helps make taking the medication a part of your routine so it's easier for you to remember.
- If you miss a dose of Veozah (fezolinetant), take it as soon as possible. If your next dose is less than 12 hours away, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the usual time.
- Make sure to get your lab tests done when your prescriber tells you to while taking Veozah (fezolinetant). For the first 9 months, you'll need regular blood tests to check your liver. Veozah (fezolinetant) can affect the liver, so the tests help check that the medication is safe for you.
- Stop taking Veozah (fezolinetant) and get medical help right away if you have signs of liver problems. These can include feeling tired, itchy, or nauseous. You could also have stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine. Your care team can check your liver for any problems.
- Avoid alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine since these could make hot flashes worse. Speak with your healthcare team about other ways to relieve hot flashes.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take. They can make sure your medications are safe to take together. Veozah (fezolinetant) can interact with many medications. Some medications can raise the levels of Veozah (fezolinetant) in the body. This can raise your risk of side effects like stomach pain and diarrhea.
Common questions about Veozah (fezolinetant)
People didn't report gaining weight while taking Veozah (fezolinetant) during 1-year studies. But changes in weight — often weight gain — is common during menopause. Talk to your prescriber or primary care provider if you notice unexplained weight gain while taking this medication. They can help find ways to manage your weight.
No, Veozah (fezolinetant) isn't an antidepressant. This means it doesn't help with depression. Instead, it's a medication that helps treat vasomotor symptoms of menopause. This includes hot flashes and night sweats.
You should start seeing some improvement in your hot flash symptoms within 1 week of taking Veozah (fezolinetant). But it could take a few weeks or months to see the full effect. Keep track of how often you have hot flashes and how severe they are. Follow up with your prescriber or primary care provider about how you're feeling and how much the medication is helping.
You can take Veozah (fezolinetant) at any time of the day that works for you. But try to take it at around the same time each day. This helps keep medication levels stable in your body. Also, pay attention to how you feel after taking it. For example, if it makes it hard to sleep, you might want to take it in the morning to see if that helps with your sleep. If you're not sure when to take Veozah (fezolinetant), ask your prescriber or pharmacist for help.
Weight loss wasn't reported during studies of Veozah (fezolinetant). This medication also hasn't been studied for weight loss. Work with your primary care provider to come up with a plan that best fits you if you need help with losing weight.
Veozah (fezolinetant) isn't known to cause withdrawal symptoms like some other medications can. But it's still a good idea to talk to your prescriber first before stopping. This helps them understand reasons why you want to stop and how they can best help you.
Ask your healthcare team if it's safe to drink alcohol while taking Veozah (fezolinetant). In general, alcohol can have negative effects on your body, including liver damage. Veozah (fezolinetant) can also affect your liver. So, drinking alcohol might raise your risk of liver damage even more, especially if you drink a lot. In addition, alcohol can make hot flashes worse for some people.
Hair loss isn't listed as a known or common side effect of Veozah (fezolinetant). If you're worried about hair loss, talk to your primary care provider. They can help you find out what's causing any hair loss you might have.
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Risks and warnings for Veozah (fezolinetant)
Veozah (fezolinetant) 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.
Liver damage
Some people who took Veozah (fezolinetant) had higher liver enzyme levels on their blood test results. This can be a sign of liver irritation or damage. It can happen within 40 days of starting this medication.
Some didn't have noticeable symptoms of liver damage. But others reported feeling unwell, tired, itchy, or nauseous. Some also reported jaundice, pale-colored stools, or dark urine. Signs and symptoms generally went away after stopping Veozah (fezolinetant).
Because of this risk, your prescriber will check your liver with a blood test before you start Veozah (fezolinetant). You'll also need regular blood tests for at least the first 9 months of treatment. This helps check that Veozah (fezolinetant) is safe for you.
Stop taking Veozah (fezolinetant) 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 include vomiting, stomach pain, low appetite, yellow skin or eyes, light-colored stool, and dark urine. The care team can help figure out what's going on.
Veozah (fezolinetant) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45mg | 30 tablets | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Typical dosage for Veozah (fezolinetant)
The typical dose is 45 mg by mouth once a day.
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How much does Veozah (fezolinetant) cost?
$0.00
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Veozah (fezolinetant) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Veozah (fezolinetant) will not be safe for you to take.
- Liver cirrhosis
- Severe kidney problems or end-stage kidney disease
- Take medications known as CYP1A2 inhibitors. Examples include amiodarone (Pacerone) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
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