Why is this medicine prescribed?
Elinzanetant is used to treat hot flashes (sudden strong feelings of heat in the face, neck, and chest and sweating) due to menopause. Elinzanetant is in a class of medications called neurokinin 1 (NK1) and neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor antagonists. It works by changing the nerve response in the area of the brain that causes hot flashes.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Elinzanetant comes as capsules to take by mouth. Take once a day at bedtime with or without food. Take elinzanetant at around the same time every day.
Take elinzanetant exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the capsules whole with water; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Your doctor may tell you to take only one capsule each day at bedtime. If so, partially peel back the foil of the blister card and leave the remaining capsule inside until your next dose.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking elinzanetant,
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- some medications should not be taken with elinzanetant. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with elinzanetant. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting elinzanetant with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking elinzanetant, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizures or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking elinzanetant, call your doctor immediately. Elinzanetant may harm the fetus.
- you may be required to have a pregnancy test prior to starting elinzanetant. You should use birth control during treatment and for 2 weeks after stopping treatment with elinzanetant. Talk to your doctor about what birth control is right for you.
- you should know that elinzanetant may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
If you miss the dose at bedtime, skip that dose and take the next dose the next day at bedtime. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What should I do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Elinzanetant may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- tiredness, drowsiness
- dizziness
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- tiredness, yellowing of eyes or skin, abdominal pain, bruising or bleeding, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale stools, or pain in upper right part of stomach
- seizure
Elinzanetant may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone ( 1-800-332-1088).What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to elinzanetant.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.