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Date of Award
Spring 2024
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Lisa Akselrad, PA-C
Abstract
Vasomotor symptoms, notably hot flashes, are symptoms that affect up to 75% of menopausal women (18). Hot flashes are described as a “sudden, brief, periodic increase in body temperature.”(18) Currently, the mainstay first line approach to treating hot flashes is estrogen, a naturally circulating hormone within the female body to regulate and maintain the reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. (19) This exogenous administration of estrogen, while efficacious, is not always an available option for many women. According to the CDC, in 2020, “239,612 new cases of female breast cancer were diagnosed in the United States” (21). Women with a known history of breast cancer are contraindicated from using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for hot flashes. This large number of women becomes excluded from the first line treatment in aiding in vasomotor symptoms. Alternative non-hormonal methods, such as SSRI and SNRIs, have proven efficacy against vasomotor symptoms. Additionally, gabapentin, pregabalin and oxybutynin have been seen to have a reduction effect. This article focuses on a new non-hormonal treatment option recently approved by the FDA to antagonize neurokinin 3 receptors within the hypothalamus and treat hot flashes safely for women who can’t use HRT. This article describes the NK3 Receptor Antagonist mechanism of action, describes its efficacy, and compares to previously established non-hormonal treatments for hot flashes.
Recommended Citation
Christiana, Taylor, "Fezolinetant Compared to Alternative Non-hormonal Treatments for Vasomotor Symptoms" (2024). Capstone Showcase. 48.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2024/pa/48
Fezolinetant Compared to Alternative Non-hormonal Treatments for Vasomotor Symptoms
Vasomotor symptoms, notably hot flashes, are symptoms that affect up to 75% of menopausal women (18). Hot flashes are described as a “sudden, brief, periodic increase in body temperature.”(18) Currently, the mainstay first line approach to treating hot flashes is estrogen, a naturally circulating hormone within the female body to regulate and maintain the reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. (19) This exogenous administration of estrogen, while efficacious, is not always an available option for many women. According to the CDC, in 2020, “239,612 new cases of female breast cancer were diagnosed in the United States” (21). Women with a known history of breast cancer are contraindicated from using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for hot flashes. This large number of women becomes excluded from the first line treatment in aiding in vasomotor symptoms. Alternative non-hormonal methods, such as SSRI and SNRIs, have proven efficacy against vasomotor symptoms. Additionally, gabapentin, pregabalin and oxybutynin have been seen to have a reduction effect. This article focuses on a new non-hormonal treatment option recently approved by the FDA to antagonize neurokinin 3 receptors within the hypothalamus and treat hot flashes safely for women who can’t use HRT. This article describes the NK3 Receptor Antagonist mechanism of action, describes its efficacy, and compares to previously established non-hormonal treatments for hot flashes.