Ryeqo - a good medicine that can effectively improve menorrhagia and pain caused by uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in female reproductive organs and have a great impact on patients' quality of life. In July 2021, Ryeqo tablets were approved by the European Union for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms related to uterine fibroids in women of childbearing age, providing a new treatment option for uterine fibroid patients. Today, the author will take you to learn about this new drug for uterine fibroids.

1. About uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors formed by the proliferation of uterine smooth muscle tissue and are the most common benign tumors in women. The disease mostly affects women between the ages of 30 and 50, and is less common under the age of 20. Most patients with uterine fibroids discover that they have the disease during a physical examination and do not find any obvious discomfort in life; some patients will experience symptoms such as abnormal menstruation, abdominal masses, increased leucorrhea, and lower abdominal pain.

At present, the cause of uterine fibroids is not yet clear, but it may be related to genetics, hormones, and stem cells.

2. The mechanism of action and efficacy of Ryeqo

Ryeqo is a combination tablet. Its active pharmaceutical ingredients are relugolix, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist, which can reduce the level of estrogen produced by the ovaries and relieve a series of symptoms of uterine fibroids; estradiol (an estrogen) can reduce the risk of bone loss; and norethindrone acetate (a progesterone) is necessary for women with a uterus when taking estrogen.

Safety and efficacy:

A two-year, Phase 3 LIBERTY project evaluated the safety and effectiveness of Ryeqo. The project includes LIBERTY 1 and LIBERTY 2These were two replicated 24-week multinational clinical studies.

The two studies met the primary endpoint of menstrual blood loss relief rate, while meeting 6 of 7 key secondary endpoints. Ryeqo also maintained bone mineral density equivalent to placebo, as part of a well-tolerated safety profile through 24 weeks.

In summary, Ryeqo can effectively improve symptoms such as abnormal menstruation and lower abdominal pain caused by uterine fibroids.

3. Review of the history of Ryeqo’s approval

In 2019, Ryeqo was officially approved for marketing in Japan and is used to improve the following symptoms caused by uterine fibroids: menorrhagia, lower abdominal pain, low back pain and anemia.

In July 2021, Ryeqo was approved by the European Union for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms related to uterine fibroids in women of childbearing age. Notably, Ryeqo is Europe’s first and only once-daily, long-term treatment option for uterine fibroids.

In October 2021, Ryeqo was approved in the UK for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms related to uterine fibroids in adult women of childbearing age. Ryeqo thus becomes the first oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist approved in the UK for this female patient group.

4. Is Ryeqo launched in China?

Sadly, Ryeqo is not yet available in China. Patients in need can obtain this medicine through the regular overseas medical platform (Medical Companion Travel). It is reported that as early as 2018, my country had launched a Ryeqo clinical recruitment trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Ryeqo in the treatment of prostate cancer. Currently, the trial is still ongoing.

5. Conclusion

In addition to effectively improving a series of symptoms caused by uterine fibroids, Ryeqo has also been proven to inhibit the production of testicular testosterone and has certain effects on patients with prostate cancer. Ryeqo has received widespread attention from patients since its launch. The author also hopes that Ryeqo will be launched in China as soon as possible to benefit more Chinese uterine fibroid patients.