Fezolinetant for treating vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause

Fezolinetant is currently in development for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms associated with the menopause. Vasomotor symptoms are characterised by hot flushes and night sweats caused by a loss of thermoregulatory control due to a decrease in oestrogen levels during menopause. These symptoms have been linked to problems with sleep, quality of life and depression, and the discomfort that they cause is the main menopause-related reason that women seek medical attention. The current standard of care for vasomotor symptoms associated with the menopause is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, HRT has been linked to several safety and tolerability concerns, resulting in many women being unable or unwilling to use it. There is, therefore, considerable need for a safe, effective non-hormonal therapy for menopause-related vasomotor symptoms.