What is Veoza?
Veoza (fezolinetant) is a new non-hormonal prescription medication that has recently become available in the UK to help treat moderate to severe hot flushes and night sweats caused by menopause.
For many women, hot flushes and night sweats are among the most disruptive symptoms of menopause. They can affect sleep, concentration, mood, confidence and overall quality of life. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms for many women, it is not suitable for everyone. Veoza provides an additional treatment option for women who cannot take HRT or who would prefer a non-hormonal approach.
If it is not hormonal, how does it work?
Unlike HRT, Veoza does not replace hormones. Instead, it works by acting on the brain’s temperature regulation system.
During menopause, declining levels of oestrogen can disrupt the body’s internal thermostat. This makes the brain more sensitive to even small changes in body temperature, triggering hot flushes and night sweats.
Veoza blocks the action of a naturally occurring brain chemical called neurokinin B. By reducing the effects of this chemical, it helps to reset the body’s temperature control centre, making it less likely that hot flushes and night sweats will occur.
Because Veoza works on the brain’s temperature regulation rather than replacing hormones, it is considered a non-hormonal treatment.
How effective is Veoza?
Clinical studies have shown that Veoza can significantly reduce both the frequency and severity of hot flushes and night sweats.
Many women begin to notice an improvement within the first few weeks of treatment, with benefits continuing over the following months. Although individual responses vary, many patients report improved sleep, fewer interruptions during the night and an overall improvement in their quality of life.
It is important to remember that Veoza specifically treats vasomotor symptoms—hot flushes and night sweats. Unlike HRT, it does not replace declining hormone levels and therefore is unlikely to improve other menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness, low libido, joint aches, mood changes or help protect bone health.
What makes Veoza different from HRT?
HRT remains the gold standard treatment for menopause because it replaces the hormones that naturally decline during menopause. This means it can improve a wide range of symptoms while also providing important long-term benefits, including helping to maintain bone strength and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Veoza offers a different approach. Rather than replacing hormones, it targets only the body’s temperature regulation system.
For women whose main concern is troublesome hot flushes or night sweats, and who are unable or do not wish to take HRT, Veoza may be an excellent alternative.
However, it should not be viewed as a replacement for HRT in women who would otherwise benefit from hormone therapy. The right treatment depends on your individual symptoms, medical history and personal preferences, and this is something we would be happy to discuss with you.
Who may benefit from Veoza?
Veoza may be suitable for women who:
- Are experiencing moderate to severe hot flushes and night sweats.
- Cannot take HRT because of certain medical conditions or personal circumstances.
- Choose not to take hormonal medication.
- Have tried lifestyle measures without sufficient improvement in their symptoms.
Research into the use of Veoza in women with a history of breast cancer is still ongoing. Although it may become an important treatment option in the future, more evidence is needed before it can be routinely recommended in this group. If you have had breast cancer or are currently receiving treatment, we can discuss the most appropriate options for your individual circumstances.
Are there any side effects?
Like all medications, Veoza can cause side effects, although most women tolerate it well.
Common side effects may include headache, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea or difficulty sleeping, although these are generally mild.
A rare but important side effect is inflammation of the liver. For this reason, liver function blood tests are required before starting treatment and at regular intervals during the first few months. This allows us to identify any changes early and ensure the medication remains safe for you.
If you develop symptoms such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, persistent nausea, vomiting or severe abdominal pain while taking Veoza, you should stop the medication and seek medical advice promptly.
Is Veoza right for me?
Every woman’s menopause journey is different, and there is no single treatment that is right for everyone.
At Sloane Street Surgery, we believe that menopause care should be personalised. We will take the time to understand your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle and treatment goals before discussing the options available.
For many women, body-identical HRT (as distinct from bio-identical which is not recommended by the British Menopause Society owing to insufficient safety, purity and efficacy data) remains the most appropriate treatment. For others, Veoza may offer an effective non-hormonal alternative for managing hot flushes and night sweats. Lifestyle measures, sleep optimisation and other non-hormonal treatments may also play an important role in improving symptoms.
When should I speak to a doctor?
If hot flushes, night sweats or other menopausal symptoms are affecting your sleep, work, relationships or overall wellbeing, we encourage you to come and speak with us.
Whether you are interested in learning more about HRT, Veoza or other treatments for perimenopause and menopause, our doctors are here to help you understand your options and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Menopause is a natural stage of life, but that does not mean you have to struggle through it alone. With the growing range of safe and effective treatments now available, we can help you find the approach that allows you to feel like yourself again.
About the author
MBChB DRCOG MRCGP BSc
“Nothing gives me more joy than getting to know my patients, understanding what worries them, and caring for them as well as I possibly can”.
During my junior doctor training, I worked in women’s health, orthopaedics, elderly care and psychiatry at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital and other London hospitals. I then spent a year focusing on obstetrics, women’s health and fertility before completing my GP training in London.
I have over 10 years’ experience as a private GP in London and have developed close working relationships with leading consultants and private hospitals, helping to ensure smooth referrals and continuity of care for my patients.
I enjoy caring for patients at all stages of life. Alongside general medicine, I have a strong interest in mental health and believe that mental wellbeing is central to overall health. I particularly enjoy getting to know families and seeing children, teenagers and adults.
Having grown up and worked in Southern and East Africa, I also have an interest in travel medicine and vaccination advice.
