Getty imagesA new daily pill treating endometriosis has been approved for use on NHS in England.
A tablet called Linjagolix will soon be available for more than 1,000 women to help managing the symptoms of the condition.
It is estimated that endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK – it can cause chronic pain, heavy duration and excessive fatigue.
The condition occurs when cells similar to cells in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body such as the pelvic, bladder and bowel.
Linzagolix is the second tech-at-hom pill to be available on NHS.
In March, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) Approves uniform treatment called ReluGolix combination therapy,
Two tablets vary slightly as linzagolics will require additional ‘ad back’ treatment, while relaying combination therapy adds both to a tablet.
The list price for linzagolix is £ 80 for the monthly pack of the tablet, while the 28-day courses rilugolix is priced at NHS £ 72.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
- Serious duration pain that prevents you from doing normal activities
- Very heavy periods
- Pain when you worship or urinate
- Other symptoms may include your lower abdominal pain, pain after sex, fatigue, shortness of breath, low mood, anxiety
- Difficulty getting pregnant
Although there is no cure for endometriosis, current treatments include painkillers and hormone injections that temporarily shut down the body production of estrogen – hormones that cause endometriosis tissue and cause pain.
However, patients often need to travel hospitals to injections, which last up to three months.
In clinical trials, linjagolics were shown to reduce painful period and non-masic religion pelvic pain compared with dummy drug.
The tablet works by blocking specific hormones, including estrogen.
Charity endometriosis UK says it will then inspire a ‘medical menopause’ and will be used with ‘back back’ hormone therapy.
To prevent symptoms such as menopause and bone damage, ‘add back’ therapy uses low dosage hormone-ripeness therapy (HRT).
Linzagolix will be available only especially to patients whose previous therapy or surgical treatment has been unsuccessful.
National Clinical Director in Women’s Health for NHS England, Dr. Suu Mann said that a new bullet is welcome for women living with endometriosis.
“This is another treatment option that will help women control their health and will often manage the symptoms of painful and weak conditions.
“This is a will for women to improve treatment, care and quality of life to our ongoing commitment – giving women more options in treatment. They can take their homes comfort.”
Women’s Health Minister Barona Meron said that the daily pill could be a “game-changer” for thousands of women struggling with endometriosis, which could be “a weak and life-limited situation”.
Endometriosis UK CEO Emma Cox said that Charity welcomed the approval of Linjagolics for the use of NHS in England and “asked all other nations to approve the drug, which is the alternative to the entire UK”.
“Endometriosis has very few options available due to the historical lack of research, and we are happy to approve this new drug for endometriosis.”
Welsh ministers have issued directions to NHS to NHS in Wales, which requires them to provide funds and resources for new approved treatments within 60 days.
