Liver Function Tests with Veozah (Fezolinetant)
Liver function tests are not required when using Veozah (fezolinetant) as there is no specific requirement for liver monitoring in the drug's prescribing information.
Understanding Veozah and Liver Monitoring
- Veozah (fezolinetant) is a non-hormonal treatment for vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause that does not have specific liver function test monitoring requirements in its FDA labeling 1
- Unlike medications such as methotrexate, which requires baseline and periodic liver function tests due to its potential hepatotoxicity, Veozah does not carry similar monitoring mandates 2
- This differs from other medications like terbinafine and itraconazole which specifically require baseline liver function tests and ongoing monitoring due to their known potential for hepatotoxicity 2
Medication Classes That Do Require Liver Monitoring
For context, several medication classes do require liver function monitoring:
- Antifungals: Terbinafine and itraconazole require baseline liver function tests and monitoring, especially in patients with pre-existing liver abnormalities or those on continuous therapy for more than a month 2
- Immunosuppressants: Methotrexate requires baseline and periodic liver function tests (every 4 weeks) due to its potential hepatotoxicity 2
- Certain antivirals: Patients with HBV who are HBsAg-positive require monitoring of liver function tests when on antiviral therapy 2
- Tuberculosis medications: Some TB treatments require liver function monitoring, particularly in patients with underlying liver disease 2
Best Practices for Medication Safety
- While specific liver monitoring is not required for Veozah, general good clinical practice includes being aware of potential drug interactions and contraindications for any medication 2
- Patients with pre-existing liver disease may require more careful consideration when starting any new medication, even those without specific liver monitoring requirements 3
- Abnormalities in liver function tests can be caused by many factors unrelated to medication use, and interpretation should consider the patient's complete clinical picture 4, 5
Clinical Implications
- The absence of liver monitoring requirements for Veozah suggests that clinical trials did not demonstrate significant hepatotoxicity concerns 1
- This contrasts with medications like bosentan, which requires monthly liver function tests due to dose-dependent increases in liver enzymes observed in clinical trials 2
- For medications that do require monitoring, the frequency and timing of liver function tests should be based on the specific drug's known risk profile 6
Key Takeaway
- Veozah does not require routine liver function testing as part of its administration protocol, unlike certain other medications that have established hepatotoxicity risks 1
- This makes Veozah potentially easier to manage from a monitoring perspective compared to medications requiring regular liver function assessment 7