The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved linzagolix as a second at-home treatment option for endometriosis, which could benefit up to 1,000 women each year.
NICE’s draft guidance recommends that patients whose previous treatments, including surgery, have been ineffective, should be offered a daily dose of linzagolix. The medication should be taken alongside low-dose hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent symptoms similar to menopause and reduce the risk of bone loss.
Linzagolix, which received marketing authorization for this patient group in March, was previously approved by NICE for treating moderate to severe uterine fibroids. This approval follows the earlier approval of relugolix–estradiol–norethisterone (Ryeqo) for endometriosis in March.
NICE conducted a “fast-track” review of linzagolix, examining evidence that it, when combined with hormone therapy, significantly reduced both non-menstrual pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea (painful periods). A cost-comparator analysis found that linzagolix is comparable to relugolix in terms of effectiveness. This approval offers women additional treatment options after other therapies have failed.
It is estimated that around 1.5 million women in the UK suffer from endometriosis. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, expressed her support for the approval, stating that linzagolix provides a convenient, once-daily tablet for managing endometriosis at home, helping ease pressure on NHS services.
Dr. Sue Mann, national clinical director in women’s health for NHS England, also welcomed the decision. She noted that this approval gives women who have not found relief through previous treatments or surgery a new option. “This is another step forward in improving care and quality of life for women with endometriosis,” Dr. Mann said. She also highlighted the recent introduction of the first long-term daily pill for managing the condition on the NHS, offering women more treatment choices in the comfort of their homes.
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