Key Finding: The OPTION-VMS study provides the first real-world evidence that the FDA-approved non-hormone treatment fezolinetant is effective for menopausal symptoms, with results mirroring those seen in clinical trials.
A new real-world study of fezolinetant, a non-hormonal treatment for menopausal hot flashes, shows significant improvements in both vasomotor symptoms and mood disturbances.
In a group of 201 women using fezolinetant, hot flashes and night sweats improved significantly from pre-treatment through the 12-week study period. Critically, depressive and anxiety symptoms also showed significant improvement as early as 4 weeks, with benefits continuing through the 12-week mark.
The improvements observed in this real-world setting were similar to those seen in more restrictive clinical trials.
The study also included women on other therapies: Women taking SSRIs/SNRIs (n=329) and other non-hormone treatments (n=126) also experienced improvements in depressive and anxiety symptoms.
The OPTION-VMS study analyzed data from 656 women aged 40-75 who were prescribed non-hormone therapy drugs for bothersome menopausal vasomotor symptoms.
Pauline M. Maki, Ph.D., of the University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine, stated that the real-world study shows fezolinetant's benefits are similar to clinical trials, which typically have restrictive enrollment criteria. She also noted that non-hormonal treatments provide reassurance to women seeking effective solutions for menopause symptoms.