Elinzanetant: A Nonhormonal Treatment Option for Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause

Abstract

Objective: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, and clinical role of elinzanetant for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause. Data Sources: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for English-language articles published through January 2026 using the terms elinzanetant, NT-814, OASIS, SWITCH, vasomotor symptoms, and menopause. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials evaluating elinzanetant in postmenopausal women with moderate to severe VMS were included. Data Synthesis: Elinzanetant is a dual neurokinin-1 (NK-1) and neurokinin-3 (NK-3) receptor antagonist targeting hypothalamic pathways involved in thermoregulation. Clinical trials demonstrated statistically significant reductions in VMS frequency and severity compared with placebo. Efficacy was observed as early as week 1 and sustained across treatment periods. Elinzanetant was generally well tolerated, including in long-term studies and in women receiving endocrine therapy for breast cancer. Conclusion: Elinzanetant represents an additional nonhormonal treatment option for menopausal VMS. As a dual NK-1 and NK-3 receptor antagonist, it differs mechanistically from selective NK-3 antagonists and may offer an alternative for patients who are not candidates for hormone therapy.