Fezolinetant (Oral)
Generic name: fezolinetant [ fez-oh-LIN-e-tant ]
Brand name: Veozah
Drug class: Miscellaneous central nervous system agents
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 5, 2024.
Uses for fezolinetant
Fezolinetant is used to reduce moderate to severe symptoms of menopause, including feelings of warmth in the face, neck, and chest, or sudden strong feelings of heat and sweating (hot flashes).
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using fezolinetant
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of fezolinetant in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of fezolinetant in the geriatric population.
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Amiodarone
- Cimetidine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Enoxacin
- Fluvoxamine
- Interferon Alfa-2b
- Mexiletine
- Obeticholic Acid
- Peginterferon Alfa-2a
- Vemurafenib
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Tocilizumab
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Kidney disease, severe or end-stage or
- Liver disease (eg, cirrhosis)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
Proper use of fezolinetant
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
This medicine should come with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Take this medicine at the same time each day. You may take it with or without food.
Swallow the tablet whole with liquid. Do not cut, crush, or chew it.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For moderate to severe hot flashes:
- Adults—45 milligrams (mg) once a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For moderate to severe hot flashes:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
If you miss a dose and it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Related/similar drugs
paroxetine, megestrol, Veozah, Bijuva, estradiol / progesterone, Estratest, Brisdelle, esterified estrogens / methyltestosterone, Covaryx, Essian
Precautions while using fezolinetant
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Your doctor will do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking this medicine and at month 3, month 6, and month 9 after you start taking this medicine.
Do not use this medicine if you are also using cimetidine (Tagamet®), fluvoxamine (Luvox®), or mexiletine (Mexitil®).
Check with your doctor right away if you have nausea, pain in the upper stomach, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
Side Effects of fezolinetant
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
- Dark urine
- feeling of warmth
- light-colored stools
- nausea
- redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
- stomach pain
- sudden sweating
- vomiting
- yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Back pain
- diarrhea
- trouble sleeping
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Veozah
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
Therapeutic Class: Central Nervous System Agent
More about fezolinetant
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Reviews (34)
- Latest FDA alerts (1)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: miscellaneous central nervous system agents
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