Elinzanetant approved as first dual NK-1 and NK-3 blocker for menopausal hot flashes

Elinzanetant, sold as Lynkuet, has emerged as a notable non-hormonal option for women living with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, according to a profile of its use published in Drugs & Therapy Perspectives. The oral drug is the first dual neurokinin-targeted therapy approved for this indication in several countries, including the USA and in the EU.

The drug works as a selective antagonist of two receptors in the brain, neurokinin-1 (NK-1) and neurokinin-3 (NK-3). These receptors are involved in triggering hot flashes, the cardinal symptoms of menopause that can be frequent, severe and disruptive, affecting sleep and quality of life for many women.

In pivotal phase 3 trials, elinzanetant significantly reduced the frequency and severity of menopausal vasomotor symptoms, which served as the primary endpoints of the studies. Reductions in the frequency of symptoms were evident as early as week 1 of treatment, the profile reports.

The benefits extended beyond hot flashes themselves. Elinzanetant also significantly improved sleep disturbances and menopause-related quality of life in the trials, and the efficacy was sustained for up to 52 weeks of treatment.

Tolerability findings were also favourable. Elinzanetant was generally well tolerated, with fatigue and headache identified as the most frequent treatment-related adverse events. The profile notes that the drug showed a favourable safety profile, with no hepatotoxicity signal.

Because vasomotor symptoms can affect sleep and quality of life for many women, a non-hormonal therapy that targets the neural pathways involved in triggering hot flashes addresses a clear treatment need. The plain language summary accompanying the article describes elinzanetant as the first oral treatment that blocks both NK-1 and NK-3 receptors in the brain for this indication.

The profile concludes that elinzanetant is an important non-hormonal treatment option for moderate to severe menopausal vasomotor symptoms, combining significant reductions in symptom frequency and severity with improvements in sleep and quality of life, sustained efficacy over a year of treatment, and a safety profile without evidence of liver toxicity.

The article, authored by Kimberley Chen and Yahiya Y. Syed, was published on 5 September 2026 as an open access Adis Drug Q&A in Drugs & Therapy Perspectives.

Subject of Research: Elinzanetant, a dual NK-1 and NK-3 receptor antagonist, for moderate to severe menopausal vasomotor symptoms

Article Title: Elinzanetant in moderate to severe menopausal vasomotor symptoms: a profile of its use

Article References: Chen, K., & Syed, Y. Y. (2026). Elinzanetant in moderate to severe menopausal vasomotor symptoms: a profile of its use. Drugs & Therapy Perspectives. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-026-01272-7

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1007/s40267-026-01272-7

Keywords: elinzanetant, menopause, vasomotor symptoms, hot flashes, NK-1 receptor, NK-3 receptor, non-hormonal therapy, phase 3 trials, sleep disturbances, quality of life, Lynkuet, drug profile