Recent findings on the drug Veozah (generic name fezolinetant) have linked this product to rare but serious liver injury. If any Veozah users notice signs and symptoms suggesting liver injury, stopping this medication can prevent the worsening of this condition, and liver function will likely return to normal.
What is Veozah?
Veozah is a menopause drug used to treat hot flashes. This nonhormonal prescription medication reduces the frequency and severity of moderate to severe hot flashes. It works to restore the balance of estrogen hormones and brain receptors that control body temperature.
How can I tell if Veozah is affecting my liver?
Side effects are common with most drugs, but those who take Veozah must be mindful about the following symptoms, which would happen within 40 days of taking this prescription:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Itching
- Yellow eyes and skin
- Light-colored stools
If you are experiencing these symptoms, contact your doctor. If your liver has been negatively affected, a blood test will reveal abnormal liver enzymes and bilirubin levels. In most cases, stopping this medication will see your blood levels slowly return to normal.
What is my risk for taking Veozah?
Though genetics, general health, and current medications should all be taken into account, the following factors do indicate the potential for higher risks:
- Drinkers: Those who drink alcoholic beverages while on Veozah add stress to their liver.
- Breast cancer survivors: Some doctors take pause due to the drug’s impact on estrogen, and the fact that the drug has not been tested with breast cancer survivors.
- Those in chemotherapy: The drug may prove to be too much of an added stressor on the liver, depending on the treatment program and discretion of the doctor.
What are the adverse effects some patients are experiencing?
The FDA has reviewed a serious case of drug-induced liver injury with a Veozah patient. Prior to taking the medication, her blood levels were normal. Within 40 days of starting the drug, she experienced the following:
- Her alanine transaminase was more than 10 times the normal level.
- Her alkaline phosphates were more than four times the normal level.
- Her total bilirubin was more than 3 times the normal level.
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Decreased appetite
- Itching of the hands and feet that later spread to the entire body
- Jaundice
- Pale feces
- Dark urine
How often is liver damage fatal?
An unhealthy liver can be deadly, but if treated early and properly it can be reversed. This type of illness can be broken down into three stages:
- Stage 1: Inflammation: The liver may be tender or inflamed, but the patient may not notice, or symptoms may be mild.
- Stage 2: Fibrosis/scarring: If the inflammation isn’t treated, it can cause scarring. Scar tissue prevents blood from flowing, which makes the healthier parts of the liver work harder to make up for the scarred areas.
- Stage 3: Cirrhosis: If the scar tissue takes over, the liver may not function well or at all. This can lead to a condition called “portal hypertension.” This is high blood pressure in the main portal vein that runs through your liver.
Some complications of cirrhosis and portal hypertension include:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Kidney failure
- Respiratory failure
- Liver cancer
In the early stages, liver damage can often be healed with proper treatment and lifestyle changes. However, later stages of liver damage are not reversible and may require a liver transplant.
What should my doctor be doing about my Veozah treatment plan?
Healthcare professionals should be aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions. For every patient, they should conduct hepatic laboratory testing before prescribing Veozah. Patients should be tested every month for the first three months on the drug, then again at six months, and at nine months. This is an adequate way to monitor the liver blood levels. Doctors should also be discussing the risks and signs to look for with their patients.
What should I do if I take Veozah?
Stay vigilant about knowing the signs and symptoms, as well as the added environmental factors, such as drinking alcohol and the impact of other prescription medications. Ensure your bloodwork is being monitored, and should any symptoms of liver stress begin to present themselves, notify your doctor. You can also contact the FDA at 855-543-DRUG (3784) and press 4. Or email the FDA at druginfo@fda.hhs.gov.
Menopause drugs: A dangerous history
Countless drugs and regimens have been created by pharmaceutical companies to combat the flux and distress caused by menopause. Prior to 2002, it was widely believed that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was safe, prevented dementia and osteoporosis, and was prescribed for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Unfortunately, the data was based on small, pharma-sponsored studies. Years later, the Women’s Health Initiative Trial revealed that HRT increased cardiovascular disease and the risk of various cancers. There are many variables within these findings, and some data does indicate that hormones can be safe for certain users under specific conditions. But the overall message is that menopause drugs and treatment plans are ever-evolving, we are still learning the long-term effects of some drugs, and all users are subject to risk.
Recently-discontinued menopause drugs include:
- Estropipate (Ogen): Meant to prevent bone loss but increased the risk of heart problems and certain cancers
- Premarin and Prempro: Hormone drugs that were discontinued after a government study found that they increased the risk of stroke, breast cancer, coronary heart disease, and pulmonary embolism.
Veozah damaged my liver. What do I do?
Allen & Allen understands how impactful a health diagnosis can be on your day-to-day life. If you experienced severe liver damage due to taking Veozah, you may have experienced:
- Hospitalization
- Medical bills
- Lost income due to the inability to work
- Job loss due to the inability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Missing out on important life events, such as weddings and family vacations
Allen & Allen attorneys have experience challenging the practices of giant drug companies for our clients, so that they can focus on what’s most important: healing. For a free and confidential case evaluation, call the compassionate product liability lawyers at Allen & Allen, at 866-388-1307.
