6 mins read

Overview: Lynkuet is used to treat hot flashes that may happen during menopause. This medicine does not contain hormones. Common side effects are tiredness, dizziness, and drowsiness. Take this medicine before you go to sleep at night. Do not drive or do anything that may be dangerous if you feel sleepy, lightheaded, or dizzy. Make sure you talk with your health care provider before starting or stopping any medicine.

Uses

What is Lynkuet used for?

Lynkuet (elinzanetant) is commonly used to treat moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause. 

Lynkuet may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Lynkuet work (mechanism of action)?

Certain cells in a part of your brain may become too active during menopause. These overactive nerve cells release too much of two substances. One substance further increases the activity of these nerve cells. The other substance plays a part in hot flashes.

Lynkuet blocks these two substances from binding to their sites. As a result, you may have fewer hot flashes. Lynkuet does not contain hormones. 

How is Lynkuet supplied (dosage forms)?

Lynkuet is available as 60 mg oral capsules.

How should I store Lynkuet?

Lynkuet should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. 

Only remove a capsule from the blister pack when you are ready to take it. If you will only take one capsule each day, peel the foil cover back just enough to show one capsule. Peel the remaining foil back the next day when you are ready to take your next dose.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Lynkuet?

The most common side effects of Lynkuet are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness (see below)
  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle spasmas
  • Rash

There may be other side effects of Lynkuet that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Lynkuet?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Lynkuet are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Lynkuet may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Lynkuet and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Lynkuet. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. Stop taking Lynkuet and get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Dizziness, Sleepiness, Tiredness. Lynkuet can make you tired, dizzy, or sleepy. The medicine may also make you feel like you might faint. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Lynkuet affects you.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Lynkuet?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Lynkuet.

  • Elinzanetant
  • Lynkuet 
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Lynkuet.

Pregnancy. Do not take Lynkuet if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, stop taking Lynkuet and contact your health care provider right away. See the Pregnancy section for more details.

What should I know about Lynkuet before using it?

Do not take Lynkuet unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Lynkuet with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Lynkuet out of the reach of children.

Do not cut, crush, or chew Lynkuet. Swallow the capsule whole with water. 

Take this medicine about the same time each day at bedtime. This medicine can make you sleepy, tired, lightheaded, or dizzy. 

You likely will need bloodwork before and after you start Lynkuet. These test results are to help make sure that you can safely take this medicine. 

Your skin may be sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds, while you are taking Lynkuet. This is called photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using Lynkuet?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Lynkuet is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver or gallbladder problems
  • Seizures
  • Kidney problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Lynkuet may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Lynkuet, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Lynkuet may cause death or serious harm to a fetus. If you can become pregnant, you need to be tested for pregnancy before starting Lynkuet. You also need to use effective birth control while you are taking Lynkuet and for 2 weeks after your last dose. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding.  It is not known if Lynkuet passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Lynkuet?

For more information about Lynkuet, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.Lynkuet.com or call them at 888-842-2937.

Interactions

Does Lynkuet interact with foods or drinks?

Do not eat or drink things with grapefruit or grapefruit juice in them while taking Lynkuet. Grapefruit can increase the amount of Lynkuet in your body and may cause serious side effects. Otherwise, Lynkuet can be taken with foods or drinks. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Lynkuet. The risk of tiredness, dizziness, or drowsiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking Lynkuet. Alcohol may also cause a hot flash. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol that you drink.

Does Lynkuet interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Lynkuet.

  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Nelfinavir (Viracept) or ritonavir (Norvir), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Dronedarone (Multaq), which is a medicine used to help keep a normal heart rhythm in people who have had atrial fibrillation
  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, or medicines for anxiety

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Lynkuet, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Lynkuet. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Lynkuet?

If you or someone else has used too much Lynkuet, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Lynkuet?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember as long as it is still before bedtime. Otherwise, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.