Veozah (fezolinetant) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for certain menopause symptoms. As with other drugs, Veozah can cause side effects, such as trouble sleeping and back pain.

Veozah can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Veozah in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Veozah use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Veozah’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Veozah include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Veozah and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

† An allergic reaction is possible after using Veozah. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Veozah may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Veozah’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Veozah, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

† An allergic reaction is possible after using Veozah. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Veozah may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Veozah.

Insomnia

Insomnia (trouble sleeping) has been reported by people taking Veozah in clinical studies. This was a common side effect of the drug. With insomnia, you may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. You may also wake up too early and not be able to fall back asleep.

When you have insomnia, you may not be getting enough sleep. This can lead to issues such as daytime sleepiness or irritability.

What you can do

This side effect may go away as your body adjusts to the drug. But if you have insomnia that bothers you or doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to help you get more sleep.

Increased liver enzymes

It is possible that Veozah can cause increased liver enzymes, which may be a sign of liver damage. This wasn’t a common side effect reported in clinical studies of the drug.

Symptoms of liver damage can include:

What you can do

Your doctor will do a blood test to check your liver function before you start treatment with Veozah. This test measures the health of your liver. They will check your liver function again 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months after you start the drug to check for any liver problems.

Contact your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage while taking Veozah. They will likely do a blood test to check for signs of liver damage. They can determine whether it is safe for you to continue taking the drug.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Veozah can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Veozah. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Veozah. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Kidney problems: Your kidneys help remove drugs from your body. If you have kidney problems, such as severe chronic kidney disease, it will be harder for your kidneys to remove Veozah from your system. If your kidney problems are severe, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Liver problems: Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver problems, such as cirrhosis. If you have cirrhosis, your doctor may recommend another treatment option for you. You will have blood tests to measure your liver function before and during the first year of therapy to monitor the health of your liver.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Veozah or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Veozah. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not known whether Veozah is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding your child. Talk with your doctor before starting Veozah if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Alcohol consumption: There is no known interaction between Veozah and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol can worsen certain side effects of Veozah, such as hot flashes. Drinking alcohol while taking Veozah may also increase your risk of liver damage. Talk with your doctor about whether it is safe to drink alcohol during treatment with Veozah.

Most side effects of Veozah are mild and may go away within a few days to weeks as your body adjusts to the drug. You should talk with your doctor if any side effects last longer, are bothersome, or are serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Veozah, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Veozah: For details about other aspects of Veozah, refer to this article.
  • A look at menopause: For details about menopause, see our menopause hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.