Home > Focus Areas > Menopause Connect > Post
  • Saved

1yr
Novel MOA targets age-old condition

Hot flashes—experienced by 70%-80% of menopausal women—are physically distressing and worsen quality of life. Newer therapies, such as NK3R antagonists, leverage a non-hormonal approach to addressing these symptoms.

For example, fezolinetant is a selective NK3R antagonist that directly blocks NKB from binding to the KNDy neuron. NKB is a known trigger of vasomotor symptoms (VMS).

KNDy neurons located at the level of the hypothalamus are inhibited by estrogen and triggered by the neuropeptide NKB, thus resulting in the regulation of body temperature.

During menopause, estrogen decline interferes with this balance involving NKB. Left unopposed, NKB signaling increases KNDy neuronal activity. This process sets off heat-dissipation mechanisms, such as vasodilation and sweating (or VMS).

Thus, fezolinetant helps decrease the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats, honing in on NK3R with an affinity 450 times higher than that of NK1 or NK2 receptors.

What are your thoughts on this new mechanism of action for the treatment of VMS?

Profile Image
  • 1yr
    Nice addition to treatment options for VMS. Plan to check on formulary coverage.
  • 1yr
    Great to have another tool in the toolkit
  • 1yr
    I agree with my colleagues. Identifying the NK3 receptor and then developing a viable antagonist are great steps forward in the management of VMS. Women are much more open to using such an effective non-hormonal treatment. The higher cost remains an obstacle, though.
  • 1yr
    Great to have a non hormonal option for our patients with VMS. Also a great option for women who have contraindications to HRT.
  • 1yr
    Great to have a treatment mechanism esp for women who can’t use estrogen. Biggest problem is it will be very expensive I’m sure. And may or may not be covered by in.
  • 1yr
    It is helpful to be able to offer women suffering from menopausal hot flashes another non-hormonal option with proven benefits and good safety profile. The new MOA is exciting and offers additional insight into other pathways involved with VMS
  • 1yr
    This is really a breakthrough for treatment of hot flashes in those whom hormones are contraindicated. Very excited to try it for those patients.
  • 1yr
    An excellent completely non hormonal medication which actually addresses the very root of where the 'hot flash' begins i.e. the NK3 receptor --- I have prescribed it to several patients who have not had hysterectomy and could not or would not take hormones --categorically declined hormones --- ALL of them have given me excellent feedback on therapeutic response i.e. depth of response measured by decrease in number and severity of hot flashes, also quick onset of action within ~1 week or even less, also how well they are able to sleep through the night.
    Most patients are not worried about and readily agree to the initial and subsequent need for liver function test monitoring.
    Overall excellent except for cost, which is high and many insurers/PBM are still requiring preauthorization.
  • 1yr
    While hormone therapy (HT) has been the mainstay of treatment, there is a need for non-hormonal alternatives due to contraindications or patient preference against hormone use. The development of NK3R antagonists represents a novel approach by directly targeting the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of VMS, providing an effective and well-tolerated alternative to hormone therapy.
  • 1yr
    An excellent option as some women are unable to take estrogen and non hormonal option decreases risk of estrogen side effects
  • 1yr
    excellent alternative for women who cannot estrogen medication to prevent hot flashes
  • 1yr
    Sounds like a promising non estrogen treatment with a new MO.
  • 1yr
    Exciting time to work in medicine. Glad to know there are options for women unable or opting not to use hormonal treatments.
  • 1yr
    NK3 receptor Antagonist are game changer in the management of the VMS management in particular the hot flashes It is exciting to this discovery of the pathogenesis involved in it ! Great alternative to HRT where the skepticsm still prevails among the patients and the health care providers and pts have embraced it well and have a positive experience with it !
  • 1yr
    It looks like a good,safe,viable option
  • 1yr
    I have meet with rep from the company and have tried samples with several patient and it seems to help them. Good option for patient not able to use hormonal therapies
  • 1yr
    very new MOA and effective for menopausal symptoms releive

  • 1yr
    The above explanation is clear and concise. Veozah is an important addition to the treatment of VMS associated with menopause.
  • 1yr
    AGREE WITH ABOVE. NICE ADDITION TO TREATMENT OPTIONS. HAVE USED IN SEVERAL PATIENTS WITH GOOD FEEDBACK.
  • 1yr
    I have prescribed this medication already with good results. It seems to be safe and quite effective in helping with vasomotor symptoms

Show More Comments