Non-hormonal perimenopausal and menopause medication for hot flashes

Posted by Helen, Volunteer Mentor @naturegirl5, Jun 26, 2023

I did a search and it doesn’t look like any of our members on Mayo Clinic Connect have brought up a new medication that was approved in May, 2023 by the FDA in the U.S. This medication, Viozah, is a non-hormonal (no estrogen, for instance) oral medication for perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms for hot flashes and sleep disturbances. For those of us who cannot take any medication with estrogen this could be a medication that you might want to discuss with your provider. Something to note: The original trials did not include women in active treatment for cancer or are cancer survivors. Hopefully more research will be conducted with cancer survivors.

Below are two links on Viozah:

FDA Approves Novel Drug:

— https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-novel-drug-treat-moderate-severe-hot-flashes-caused-menopause

Mayo Clinic News Network: What’s the best non-hormonal treatment for hot flashes?
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/whats-the-best-nonhormonal-therapy-for-hot-flashes-experts-release-new-menopause-therapy-guidelines/

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

jessy0628 | @jessy0628 | Jun 28, 2023

This is what im looking for as i am estrogen receptive positive, my doctor prescribed me paxil but i didnt take it because of many side effects. I might try to discuss this. Thanks for the info. More power and God bless

gigi632 | @gigi632 | Jul 5, 2023

I am all following up on this medication with my doctor. I just had surgery to remove a neuroendocrine tumor and my doctors are advising against HRT or SSRI to treat my hot flashes and night sweats. They don't have any studies on how these medications affect NET tumors, but if anyone has any information, please let me know.

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Jul 7, 2023

In reply to @gigi632 "I am all following up on this medication with my doctor. I just had surgery to..." + (show)

@gigi632 From what I have read Viozah is new enough that the medication has not been studied in a variety of conditions and populations such as people with NET tumors. It’s good that you are talking with your doctor about the possibility of this medication. Is there an integrative medicine or functional medicine practice available to you where you get help in figuring out what is available and what might work for you?

gigi632 | @gigi632 | Jul 27, 2023

Thank you for the reply. I wasn't sure how to track this thread. I only have my GYN and oncologist. I think it is coming down to a quality of life issue at this point as I have very severe hot flashes and night sweats. Is there a functional medicine practice you can recommend? I live in Palo Alto, CA.

gynosaur42 | @gynosaur42 | Aug 3, 2023

Not sure if this would be helpful, but I see an integrative oncologist in Vermont and very much appreciate the research-based information she has provided me to date. My adenocarcinoma is estrogen-receptive and I use transdermal estradiol cream to address atrophy. Hot flashes, mind fog and related sleep challenges were history for me by the time of my cancer diagnosis. I asked my integrative oncologist about her training and she recommended seeking someone certified by the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology. I looked on their list and found three in California, in San Luis Obispo, Thousand Oaks, Truckee, Santa Rosa one of whom is located in Palo Alto: Lena Suhaila http://www.NaturallyWellWithin.com. Here's the url for the overall list:
https://fabno.org/membership.html
I wish you relief very soon!

gigi632 | @gigi632 | Aug 6, 2023

In reply to @gynosaur42 "Not sure if this would be helpful, but I see an integrative oncologist in Vermont and..." + (show)

Thank you so much for the help!

pookiestank64 | @pookiestank64 | Jan 30 12:16pm

I am on my 3rd week of taking Veozah. In 2012, I had breast cancer, with chemo and radiation for the treatment. I was 47 and I was in perimenopause. After I started chemo, I was in immediate menopause.
Sine then, I have had very frequent, severe hot flashes. Instead of hot flashes, I call it, “ Hot life”.
Any simple movement causes me to perspire immediately.
It’s so uncomfortable, embarrassing, unattractive, and just plain miserable.
I had to pay $150 for 1 month of Veozah, then I will need to see if my insurance will pay for more.
I am praying that Veozah works, since nothing else has helped. Almost 14 years of living this way, is enough already. I will let ya’ll know how it goes.

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