Veoza is a non-hormonal medication designed to stop hot flushes and night sweats and will be fully available here in April.
Campaigners have branded the daily tablet a ‘game-changer’ which offers women an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the dreaded menopause symptoms.
“Veoza is a hugely positive development for those in perimenopause and menopause,” said Loretta Dignam, CEO and founder of the Menopause Hub.
“A UK study concluded that women experience a weekly total of 17 hot flushes and 11 night sweats – and this symptom alone can impact severely on sleep, mood, concentration, work and personal lives.
“I personally endured up to 39 hot flushes a day and then more at night with the duvet on and off over a three-year period so I know first-hand how debilitating they can be, so this will be a game-changer.
“Up to 80% of some 652,000 Irish women suffer symptoms of menopause, primarily hot flushes and night sweats which are triggered by low oestrogen levels, affecting the part of the brain that regulates body temperature.
“Veoza offers another option to women who can’t take HRT for various medical reasons or for those whose bodies won’t absorb the hormones.”
Ms Dignam said that at present the drug is not covered under the Drug Payment Scheme so it will be available privately at a cost of up to €70 per month.
But her clinics are looking forward to Veoza being eventually approved for public funding as soon as possible.
“The non-hormonal medication was presented at all three of my clinics in Dublin and Cork during the week and our staff are looking forward to being able to offer it to more women who are suffering these devitalising sweats.”
The one-a-day tablet was recently approved for use in Ireland by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Clinical trials in Europe found that after one month of treatment, the number of moderate to severe daily hot flushes was cut by 53% on average for participants.
It is not approved yet for those with active breast cancer.
The Menopause Hub is Ireland’s first dedicated clinic devoted to treating menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms and, has offices in Mount Merrion, South Dublin, Santry, North Dublin and Ballincollig, Co. Cork.
The clinics have treated more than 10,000 patients in Ireland since opening in 2019.
