Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol
RxNorm 1090992· NORETHINDRONE ACETATE AND ETHINYL ESTRADIOL· ORAL
Estrogen [EPC] · Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
Boxed Warning
WARNING: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS, PROBABLE DEMENTIA, BREAST CANCER, and ENDOMETRIAL CANCER Estrogen Plus Progestin Therapy Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen plus progestin substudy reported increased risks of pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 5.6 years of treatment with daily oral conjugated estrogens (CE) [0.625 mg] combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) [2.5 mg], relative to placebo [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), and Clinical Studies ( 14.5 )] . The WHI Memory Study (WHIMS) estrogen plus progestin ancillary study of WHI reported an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age and older during 4 years of treatment with daily CE (0.625 mg) combined with MPA (2.5 mg), relative to placebo. It is unknown whether this finding applies to younger postmenopausal women [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.5 ), and Clinical Studies ( 14.6 )]. Do not use estrogen plus progestogen therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.3 ), and Clinical Studies ( 14.5 , 14.6 )]. Breast Cancer The WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy demonstrated an increased risk of invasive breast cancer [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) and Clinical Studies ( 14.5 )]. Only daily oral 0.625 mg CE and 2.5 mg MPA were studied in the estrogen plus progestin substudy of the WHI. Therefore, the relevance of the WHI findings regarding adverse cardiovascular events, dementia and breast cancer to lower CE plus other MPA doses, other routes of administration, or other estrogen plus progestogen products is not known. Without such data, it is not possible to definitively exclude these risks or determine the extent of these risks for other products. Discuss with your patient the benefits and …
Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets are a combination of an estrogen and progestin indicated in a woman with a uterus for: • Treatment of Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms due to Menopause ( 1.1 ) • Prevention of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Treatment of Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms due to Menopause 1.2 Prevention of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Limitation of Use When prescribing solely for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, first consider the use of non-estrogen medications. Consider estrogen therapy only for women at significant risk of osteoporosis.
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Use estrogen, alone or in combination with a progestogen, at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman. Re-evaluate postmenopausal women periodically as clinically appropriate to determine whether treatment is still necessary. • One tablet orally once daily ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) 2.1 Treatment of Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms due to Menopause Take a single norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablet, orally once daily. 2.2 Prevention of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Take a single norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablet, orally once daily
Warnings
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Estrogens increase the risk of gallbladder disease ( 5.4 ) • Discontinue estrogen if severe hypercalcemia, loss of vision, severe hypertriglyceridemia or cholestatic jaundice occurs ( 5.5 , 5.6 , 5.9 , 5.10 ) • Monitor thyroid function in women on thyroid replacement therapy ( 5.11 , 5.18) 5.1 Cardiovascular Disorders Increased risk of PE, DVT, stroke, and MI are reported with estrogen plus progestin therapy. Increased risks of stroke and DVT are reported with estrogen-alone therapy. Immediately discontinue estrogen with or without progestogen therapy if any of these occur or are suspected. Manage appropriately any risk factors for arterial vascular disease (for example, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity) and/or venous thromboembolism (VTE) (for example, personal history or family history of VTE, obesity, and systemic lupus erythematosus). Stroke The WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy reported a statistically significant increased risk of stroke in women 50 to 79 years of age receiving daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) compared to women in the same age group receiving placebo (33 versus 25 strokes per 10,000 women- years) [ see Clinical Studies ( 14.5 ) ]. The increase in risk was demonstrated after the first year and persisted. 1 Immediately discontinue estrogen with or without progestogen therapy if a stroke occurs or is suspected. The WHI estrogen-alone substudy, reported a statistically significant increased risk of stroke in women 50 to 79 years of age receiving daily conjugated estrogens CE (0.625 mg)-alone compared to women in the same age group receiving placebo (45 versus 33 per 10,000 women-years). The increase in risk was demonstrated in year 1 and persisted [ see Clinical Studies ( 14.5 ) ] . Immediately discontinue estrogen-alone therapy if a stroke occurs or is suspected. Subgroup analyses of women 50 to 59 years of age suggest no increased risk of stroke for those women receiving CE (0.625 mg)-alone versus those receiving placebo (18 versus 21 per 10,000 women-years). 1 Coronary Heart Disease The WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy reported an increased risk (not statistically significant) of coronary heart disease (CHD) events (defined as nonfatal MI, silent MI, or CHD death) in those women receiving daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) compared to women receiving placebo (41 versus 34 per 10,000 women-years). 1 An increase in relative risk was demonstrated in year 1, and a trend toward decreasing relative risk was reported in years 2 through 5 [see Clinical Studies ( 14.5 ) ] . The WHI estrogen-alone substudy reported no overall effect on CHD events in women receiving estrogen-alone compared to placebo 2 [see Clinical Studies ( 14.5 )] . Subgroup analyses of women 50 to 59 years of age, who were less than 10 years since menopause, suggest a reduction (not statistically significant) of CHD events in those women receiving CE (0.625 mg)-alone compared to placebo (8 versus 16 per 10,000 woman-years). 1 In postmenopausal women with documented heart disease (n = 2,763), average 66.7 years of age, in a controlled clinical trial of secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study [HERS]), treatment with daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) demonstrated no cardiovascular benefit. During an average follow-up of 4.1 years, treatment with CE plus MPA did not reduce the overall rate of CHD events in postmenopausal women with established CHD. There were more CHD events in the CE plus MPA-treated group than in the placebo group in year 1, but not during the subsequent years. Two thousand, three hundred and twenty-one (2,321) women from the original HERS trial agreed to participate in an open label extension of HERS, HERS II. Average follow-up in HERS II was an additional 2.7 years, for a total of 6.8 years overall. Rates of CHD events were comparable among women in the CE plus MPA group and the pl…
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets are contraindicated in women with any of the following conditions: • Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. • Breast cancer or a history of breast cancer [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. • Estrogen-dependent neoplasia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. • Active DVT, PE or a history of these conditions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. • Active arterial thromboembolic disease (for example, stroke and MI), or a history of these conditions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. • Known anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, or hypersensitivity to norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets . • Hepatic impairment or disease. • Protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency, or other known thrombophilic disorders. • Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding ( 4 , 5.2 ) • Breast cancer or a history of breast cancer ( 4 , 5.2 ) • Estrogen-dependent neoplasia ( 4 , 5.2 ) • Active DVT, PE, or history of these conditions ( 4 , 5.1 ) • Active arterial thromboembolic disease (for example, stroke and MI), or a history of these conditions ( 4 , 5.1 ) • Known anaphylactic reaction, angioedema or hypersensitivity to norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets ( 4 ) • Hepatic impairment or disease ( 4 , 5.10 ) • Protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency, or other known thrombophilic disorders ( 4 )
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that estrogens are metabolized partially by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Therefore, inducers or inhibitors of CYP3A4 may affect estrogen and progestin drug metabolism. Inducers of CYP3A4 such as St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) preparations, phenobarbital, carbamazepine and rifampin may decrease the plasma concentration of estrogens and progestins, possibly resulting in a decrease in therapeutic effects and/or changes in the uterine bleeding profile. Inhibitors of CYP3A4 such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir and grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentration of the estrogen or the progestin or both and may result in adverse reactions. Co-administration of atorvastatin and certain hormonal products containing ethinyl estradiol increase AUC values for ethinyl estradiol approximately 20 percent. Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase the plasma ethinyl estradiol concentration, possibly by inhibition of conjugation. Combination hormonal products have been shown to significantly decrease the plasma concentration of lamotrigine likely due to induction of lamotrigine glucuronidation. This may reduce seizure control; therefore, dosage adjustments of lamotrigine may be necessary. Inducers and/or inhibitors of CYP3A4 may affect estrogen drug metabolism and decrease or increase the estrogen plasma concentration. (7.1)
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets are not indicated for use in pregnancy. There are no data with the use of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets in pregnant women; however, epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses have not found an increased risk of genital or nongenital birth defects (including cardiac anomalies and limb-reduction defects) following exposure to combined (estrogens and progestins) product before conception or during early pregnancy. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Adverse events
Most frequently reported events (FDA FAERS). Report frequency does not imply causation.
- off label use524
- nausea513
- headache440
- drug ineffective416
- fatigue361
- anxiety290
- product dose omission issue257
- pain256
- amenorrhoea252
- dizziness249
- depression231
- vomiting230
- metrorrhagia223
- diarrhoea219
- rash214
- pruritus193
Adverse reactions (label)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: • Cardiovascular Disorders [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . • Malignant Neoplasms [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Most common adverse reactions with norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets (incidence greater than or equal to 5 percent) are: headache, abdominal pain, breast pain, and edema (generalized). (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA at 1 (888) 721-7115 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse reactions reported by ≥5 percent of women in controlled clinical studies of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets are shown in Table 1. Table 1. Associated Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥5 Percent of Women by Body System * BODY SYSTEM/ Adverse Reaction Number (Percent) of Subjects Placebo Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets 0.5/2.5 Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets 1/5 N = 247 N = 244 N = 258 BODY AS A WHOLE 23 (12.8) 30 (16.9) 30 (15.7) Edema - Generalized 10 (4) 12 (4.9) 11 (4.3) Headache 12 (4.9) 14 (5.7) 16 (6.2) DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 8 (4.4) 17 (9.6) 25 (13.1) Abdominal Pain 3 (1.2) 13 (5.3) 14 (6.8) UROGENITAL SYSTEM 20 (11.1) 34 (19.2) 45 (23.6) Breast Pain 9 (3.6) 22 (9) 20 (7.8) *The total number of women for each body system may be less than the number of women with AEs in that body system because a women may have had more than one AE per body system 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Genitourinary System Changes in vaginal bleeding pattern and abnormal withdrawal bleeding or flow; breakthrough bleeding; spotting; increase in size of uterine leiomyomata, vaginitis, including vaginal candidiasis; change in amount of cervical secretion; changes in cervical ectropion; ovarian cancer; endometrial hyperplasia; endometrial cancer; uterine cancer; vaginal hemorrhage; ovarian cyst; irregular menstruation; metrorrhagia; menorrhagia; dysmenorrhea; uterine enlargement. Breasts Tenderness, enlargement, breast pain, nipple pain, nipple discharge, galactorrhea; fibrocystic breast changes; breast cancer; breast disorder; breast mass; breast enlargement. Cardiovascular Deep and superficial venous thrombosis; pulmonary embolism; thrombophlebitis; thrombosis; chest pain; myocardial infarction; cerebrovascular accident (stroke); transient ischemic attack; hemiparesis; increase in blood pressure; irregular heart rate; palpitations; dyspnea. Gastrointestinal Nausea, vomiting; cholestatic jaundice; pancreatitis, enlargement of hepatic hemangiomas; bloating, abdominal cramps; abdominal pain; increased incidence of gallbladder disease; cholecystitis; cholelithiasis. Skin Chloasma or melasma that may persist when drug is discontinued; generalized erythema; erythema multiforme; erythema nodosum; hemorrhagic eruption; loss of scalp hair; hirsutism; rash, pruritus. Eyes Retinal vascular thrombosis; visual impairment; intolerance to contact lenses. Central Nervous System (CNS) Headache; migraine; dizziness; depression; chorea; nervousness; mood disturbances; irritability; exacerbation of epilepsy, dementia; paresthesia; insomnia. Miscellaneous Increase or decrease in weight; reduced carbohydrate tolerance; aggravation of porphyria; edema; arthralgias; leg cramp…
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