Lynkuet (Elinzanetant) A Promising New Treatment for Menopausal Hot Flashes

Many women going through menopause have hot flashes and night sweats that make it hard to sleep and feel comfortable. Until recently, most treatments used hormones, which aren’t right for everyone. A new medicine called Lynkuet (generic name elinzanetant) offers a non-hormonal option that helps reduce these symptoms. It was approved by the FDA in 2025 after several large studies showed it worked well and had an acceptable safety profile.

How does the drug work?

When estrogen levels drop, certain nerve cells in the brain’s temperature control center (called KNDy neurons) become too active. This makes your body think it’s overheating, leading to sudden warmth and sweating.

Elinzanetant blocks two brain signals (called neurokinin-1 and neurokinin-3) that these cells use to send “I’m hot” messages. By blocking those signals, it helps restore normal temperature control,  reducing hot flashes and night sweats,  without using hormones.

What Did the Research Discover?

Lynkuet was tested in three big research studies called OASIS 1, OASIS 2, and OASIS 3. Together, these studies included over 1,400 women between the ages of 40 and 65 who had moderate to severe hot flashes.

In the studies:

• Women took Lynkuet 120 mg once a day or a placebo (a pill with no medicine) for 12 weeks.
  
• After that, everyone continued taking Lynkuet to see how well it worked over time.
  
• By week 12, women on Lynkuet had about three fewer hot flashes per day than women on placebo.
  
• Hot flashes also became less intense and more manageable.
  
• Many women said they slept better and felt a better quality of life overall.
  

In another study that lasted up to one year, Lynkuet continued to work well and stayed safe. Doctors also checked the uterus and found no signs of cancer or unusual growth, which is important for long-term use.

In the JAMA journal, researchers reported that more than 60% of women taking Lynkuet had their hot flashes cut in half after just four weeks, compared to about 30% on placebo. After 12 weeks, about 7 in 10 women had major improvement, and many said their sleep and mood got better too.

What Is It Prescribed For and What Does It Do?

Lynkuet (elinzanetant) is used to treat moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats caused by menopause.

It works by calming the part of the brain that controls body temperature. During menopause, when estrogen levels drop, the brain’s temperature system becomes too sensitive, causing sudden waves of heat. Lynkuet blocks two signals in the brain (called NK1 and NK3 receptors) that trigger these hot flashes.

In simpler terms, Lynkuet helps balance the brain’s thermostat, so your body doesn’t overreact to small changes in temperature.

Unlike hormone replacement therapy, Lynkuet doesn’t contain estrogen or progesterone, so it’s a good option for women who can’t or don’t want to take hormones.

What Are Some of the Side Effects?

Lynkuet was well-tolerated in studies, but like any medicine, it can cause side effects. The most common ones were:

• Headache
  
• Feeling tired or sleepy
  
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
  
• Stomach pain or cramps
  
• Rash or mild skin irritation
  
• Diarrhea or sore muscles
  

Rare but more serious side effects include:

• Changes in liver tests (your doctor may check bloodwork before and during treatment)
  
• Drowsiness that can affect driving or using machines
  
• Seizures in people who have a history of them
  
• Pregnancy loss — this medicine should not be used during pregnancy
  

What Are the Dosage Recommendations and How Is It Prescribed?

• The usual dose is 120 mg once daily, taken as two 60 mg capsules at bedtime.
  
• Take the capsules whole with water. Do not crush or chew them.
  
• You can take Lynkuet with or without food.
  
• If you forget a dose, skip it and take your next one as scheduled. Don’t take extra to make up for a missed dose.
  
• Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice, because it can change how the medicine works in your body.
  
• Some people who take certain antibiotics or antifungal medicines may need a lower dose of 60 mg once daily.
  

How Can I Apply This Information?

If you’re having hot flashes or night sweats and want a non-hormonal treatment, talk with your doctor about Lynkuet (elinzanetant).

It’s important to remember this is a prescription medicine, and everyone’s health is different. Your doctor will check if it’s safe for you and monitor for any side effects.

Lynkuet gives women another option for managing menopause symptoms, especially if hormone therapy isn’t a good fit.

Source:

1. Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. Lynkuet (elinzanetant) [Prescribing Information]. Whippany, NJ; 2025. https://labeling.bayerhealthcare.com/html/products/pi/Lynkuet_PI.pdf
   
2. Pinkerton JV, Simon JA, Joffe H, et al. Elinzanetant for the Treatment of Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause: OASIS 1 and 2 Randomized Clinical Trials.JAMA. 2024;332(16):1343–1354. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.14618. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2822766