Hi
I’m on Letrozole and suffering with hot flushes
I’ve tried venlafaxine, oxybutnin and clonidine hydrochloride for hot flushes with nothing helping. My tumour was oestrogen and progesterone positive, I’m hoping that I would be able to try Veoza to combat the hot flushes. Is it available in the uk on the nhs now and would I be able to have it please?
@jaynealis Sat here like a beetroot & feeling deeply uncomfortable with yet another hot flash I understand! Veozah is now approved by NICE but I don’t believe it’s being prescribed just yet-also some debate over impact on the liver-in case you are taking anything else that’s also tough on the liver-worth a read up on it. I’ve been using pregabalin which has definitely reduced the intensity of the flashes so might be worth mentioning that to your Dr as an option. This is so so tough & exhausting as a side effect xx
Hi @jaynealis,
Thank you for your post.
Hot flushes are the most commonly reported menopausal symptom due to breast cancer treatment, and like you many women contact us describing the difficulties they are experiencing with them whilst taking letrozole.
The frequency and severity of hot flushes vary from person to person. You don’t say how long you’ve been taking the drug, but as @whataloadof says, hot flushes are a tough and exhausting side effect of treatment. For many women they will fade over time and become less severe, but for some they can really affect their quality of life, so it’s important to get the support you need to help try and manage them effectively.
We know that there are different things that may help with hot flushes and it sounds like you’ve tried a number of things to do this including some of the drugs we list in our information.
Fezolinetant (Veoza) is currently only approved for use in people who have not had breast cancer. This is because the clinical trials didn’t include people with breast cancer. However, there are ongoing trials to see if it can be used for people who have had breast cancer.
NICE guidance (page 6) states that for people who have had breast cancer an individual assessment is recommended.
Some women find complementary therapies such as acupuncture helpful in managing hot flushes. In addition, there is also good evidence that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can also help some women.
If you haven’t already been offered one, you may find a referral to specialist menopause clinic helpful to get further expert advice and information about coping with menopausal symptoms. In collaboration with your treatment team, they may be able to talk with you about the possible use of fezolinetant or other strategies for managing the hot flushes you’re experiencing.
You may also find the podcast series Menopause and Cancer a helpful resource for further information and support signposts.
Please do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
Our number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties dial 18001 followed by our number and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
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Best wishes,
Catherine
Breast Care Nurse
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