Non-hormonal drug approved for severe menopause symptoms

Lee McCrystal has experienced hot flashes and night sweats since she started menopause in her late 40s, and she's not the only one.

The symptoms associated with menopause, referred to as vasomotor symptoms (VMS), affect 80 per cent of women going through the menopausal transition.

"I started to experience hot flushes around my face (and) my neck, I would experience intense heat," McCrystal said.

"It would be at all times of the day, they would happen when I was sleeping, when I was at work, at any point in the day."

"It impacted all aspects of my life, it really impacted my quality of sleep, my legs would be in and out of the bed all night, I would wake up sweaty, I'd have to rip my pyjamas off I'd be covered in sweat."

Now, a brand new non-hormonal treatment for VMS has been approved for use in Australia.

The drug, called VEOZA, specifically targets a temperature-regulating chemical in the brain called neurokinin B, which is stimulated when oestrogen levels drop.

It's produced by the Australian pharmaceutical company Astellas.

"Today's approval marks an important step in increasing the choices available to women experiencing some of the most bothersome symptoms of menopause," Astellas Australia senior medical lead Christine Kemp said.

Women who experience frequent VMS have higher rates of depression, anxiety, sleeping difficulty and lower quality of life, according to a 2023 study from leading menopause experts.

"Hot flushes and night sweats associated with menopause can be very disruptive, affecting a person's sleep, mood, energy and overall quality of life, with some women experiencing symptoms for ten years or more," Royal North Shore Hospital's Menopause and Menstrual Disorders Clinic head doctor, Professor Rodney Baber, said.

"Approval of VEOZA means we have a new non-hormonal treatment option available for women experiencing these disruptive symptoms.

"Women should talk to their doctor about managing symptoms in ways that suit their medical history and personal preferences."

The drug can only be prescribed for women experiencing moderate to severe symptoms.

The drug has also been approved for use in the US, UK and by the European Commission.