What Is Lynkuet, and Why Does It Matter?
Lynkuet (elinzanetant) is a new nonhormonal medicine taken by mouth to help manage moderate to severe hot flashes linked to menopause. Hot flashes, also called vasomotor symptoms (VMS), can cause sudden feelings of heat, sweating, and sleep problems. Lynkuet works by blocking two brain receptors – neurokinin-1 (NK1) and neurokinin-3 (NK3) – that help control body temperature and sleep patterns.
This is the first medicine approved that targets both of these receptors at the same time. By doing so, it may help reduce how often hot flashes happen and how intense they feel. It may also help improve sleep, which is often disrupted during menopause.
Hot flashes affect up to 80% of women going through menopause and can last for many years. These symptoms can interfere with daily life, sleep, and overall well-being. Hormone therapy has been the main treatment, but it's not right for everyone. Some people can't take hormones due to health risks, while others prefer to avoid them. Lynkuet offers a new option for those looking for relief without using estrogen or progestin.
In studies, people who took elinzanetant had fewer and less severe hot flashes, compared to those who took a placebo. By week 12, more than 70% of people taking the medicine saw a meaningful drop in hot flashes, and over 80% responded by the end of treatment. Sleep also improved, with many people reaching normal sleep levels, while those on a placebo still had mild sleep issues.
Why Was It Approved?
Lynkuet was approved because studies showed it helped reduce hot flashes and improve sleep in people going through menopause. In these studies, people taking elinzanetant had fewer and less intense hot flashes than those taking a placebo. Some people noticed improvements as early as the first week, and the benefits continued through 12 and 26 weeks.
By week 12, more than 70% of people taking the medicine had at least a 50% drop in how often they had hot flashes. In comparison, fewer than half of those on a placebo saw the same level of improvement.
The medicine also helped improve sleep and overall quality of life during menopause. These improvements were seen across different studies and were considered meaningful for daily living.
Lynkuet was not linked to serious safety problems. The most common side effects were headache, tiredness, dizziness, and feeling sleepy. These were usually mild or moderate. Serious side effects were rare and not tied to the medicine.
There were no reports of serious liver problems, cancer, or changes in the lining of the uterus. A few people had higher liver enzyme levels, but they didn't have symptoms and didn't need treatment. Bone health stayed stable, and there were no major changes in lab results or vital signs.
What Do I Need to Know?
You take Lynkuet by mouth once a day at bedtime. The usual dose is 120 mg, which means taking two 60 mg capsules. You can take it with or without food. If you miss a dose, just take the next one at your regular time on the next day. Don't take extra to make up for a missed dose. Also, don't cut, crush, or chew the capsules.
Before starting Lynkuet, your health care provider will check your liver function with a blood test. This test may be repeated after three months. You should not take Lynkuet if you are pregnant, have moderate to severe liver problems, or are taking certain medicines that may interact with it. If you could become pregnant, use effective birth control while taking Lynkuet and for two weeks after stopping it.
Because this medicine may make you feel sleepy or dizzy, avoid driving or using heavy machinery until you know how it affects you. Grapefruit and some medicines or supplements may interact with Lynkuet, so be sure to tell your health care provider about everything you take.
Lynkuet was generally well tolerated in studies lasting up to 26 weeks. More safety data will come from a longer 52-week study that is still ongoing. This medicine may be a helpful option if you can't or don't want to use hormone therapy to manage menopause symptoms.