Components:
Method of action:
Treatment option:
Medically reviewed by Kovalenko Svetlana Olegovna, PharmD. Last updated on 09.04.2022
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Treatment of vaginal atrophy due to oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women.
The experience treating women older than 65 years is limited.
Vagifem is administered intravaginally as a local oestrogen therapy by use of an applicator.
Initial dose: One vaginal tablet daily for two weeks.
Maintenance dose: One vaginal tablet twice a week.
Treatment may be started on any convenient day.
If a dose is forgotten, it should be taken as soon as the patient remembers.) should be used.
'Special warnings and precautions for use', 'Endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma').
Vagifem may be used in women with or without an intact uterus.
Vaginal infections should be treated before start of the Vagifem therapy.
Administration:
1. Open the blister pack at the plunger end.
2. Insert the applicator in the vagina until resistance is met (8-10 cm).
3. Release the tablet by pressing the plunger.
4. Withdraw the applicator and discard.
- Known, past or suspected breast cancer
- Known, past or suspected oestrogen-dependent malignant tumours (e.g. endometrial cancer)
- Undiagnosed genital bleeding
- Untreated endometrial hyperplasia
- Previous or current venous thromboembolism (deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism)
- Known thrombophilic disorders
- Active or recent arterial thromboembolic disease (e.g. angina, myocardial infarction)
- Acute liver disease, or a history of liver disease as long as liver function tests have failed to return to normal
- Known hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients
- Porphyria.
Vagifem may be used in women with or without an intact uterus.
Vaginal infections should be treated before start of the Vagifem therapy.
Administration:
1. Open the blister pack at the plunger end.
2. Insert the applicator in the vagina until resistance is met (8-10 cm).
3. Release the tablet by pressing the plunger.
4. Withdraw the applicator and discard.
4.3 Contraindications- Known, past or suspected breast cancer
- Known, past or suspected oestrogen-dependent malignant tumours (e.g. endometrial cancer)
- Undiagnosed genital bleeding
- Untreated endometrial hyperplasia
- Previous or current venous thromboembolism (deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism)
- Known thrombophilic disorders
- Active or recent arterial thromboembolic disease (e.g. angina, myocardial infarction)
- Acute liver disease, or a history of liver disease as long as liver function tests have failed to return to normal
- Known hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients
- Porphyria.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for useFor the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms, HRT should only be initiated for symptoms that adversely affect quality of life. In all cases, a careful appraisal of the risks and benefits should be undertaken at least annually and HRT should only be continued as long as the benefit outweighs the risk.
Medical examination/follow-up
Before initiating or reinstituting hormone therapy, a complete personal and family medical history should be obtained. Physical (including pelvic and breast) examination should be guided by this and by the contraindications and warnings for use. During treatment, periodic check-ups are recommended of a frequency and nature adapted to the individual woman. Women should be advised what changes in their breasts should be reported to their doctor or nurse. Investigations including appropriate imaging tools, e.g. mammography, should be carried out in accordance with currently accepted screening practices, modified to the clinical needs of the individual.
The pharmacokinetic profile of Vagifem shows that there is very low systemic absorption of estradiol during treatment , however, being a HRT product the following need to be considered, especially for long term or repeated use of this product.
Conditions which need supervision
If any of the following conditions are present, have occurred previously, and/or have been aggravated during pregnancy or previous hormone treatment, the patient should be closely supervised. It should be taken into account that these conditions may recur or be aggravated during oestrogen treatment, in particular:
- Leiomyoma (uterine fibroids) or endometriosis
- Risk factors for thromboembolic disorders (see below)
- Risk factors for oestrogen-dependent tumours, e.g. 1st degree heredity for breast cancer
- Hypertension
- Liver disorders (e.g. liver adenoma)
- Diabetes mellitus with or without vascular involvement
- Cholelithiasis
- Migraine or (severe) headache
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- A history of endometrial hyperplasia (see below)
- Epilepsy
- Asthma
- Otosclerosis.
The pharmacokinetic profile of Vagifem shows that there is very low absorption of estradiol during treatment. Due to this, the recurrence or aggravation of the above mentioned conditions is less likely than with systemic oestrogen treatment.
Reasons for immediate withdrawal of therapy
Therapy should be discontinued in case a contraindication is discovered and in the following situations:
- Jaundice or deterioration in liver function
- Significant increase in blood pressure
- New onset of migraine-type headache
- Pregnancy
Vagifem is a locally acting low dose estradiol preparation and therefore the occurrence of the below mentioned conditions is less likely than with systemic oestrogen treatment.
Endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma
Women with an intact uterus with abnormal bleeding of unknown aetiology or women with an intact uterus who have previously been treated with unopposed oestrogens should be examined with special care in order to exclude hyperstimulation/malignancy of the endometrium before initiation of treatment with Vagifem.
In women with an intact uterus the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma is increased when oestrogens are administered alone for prolonged periods. The reported increase in endometrial cancer risk among systemic oestrogen-only users varies from 2- to 12-fold compared with non-users, depending on both duration of treatment and on oestrogen dose. After stopping treatment, risk may remain elevated for at least 10 years.
During Vagifem treatment, a minor degree of systemic absorption may occur in some patients, especially during the first two weeks of once daily administration. However, average plasma E2 concentrations (Cave (0-24)) at all evaluated days remained within the normal postmenopausal range in all subjects.
Endometrial safety of long-term (more than one year) or repeated use of local vaginally administered oestrogen is uncertain. Therefore, if repeated, treatment should be reviewed at least annually, with special consideration given to any symptoms of endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma.
As a general rule, oestrogen replacement therapy should not be prescribed for longer than one year without another physical, including gynaecological, examination being performed. If bleeding or spotting appears at any time during therapy, the reason should be investigated, which may include endometrial biopsy to exclude endometrial malignancy.
The woman should be advised to contact her doctor in case bleeding or spotting occurs during treatment with Vagifem.
Unopposed oestrogen stimulation may lead to premalignant or malignant transformation in the residual foci of endometriosis. Therefore caution is advised when using this product in women who have undergone hysterectomy because of endometriosis, especially if they are known to have residual endometriosis.
Breast cancer
The overall evidence suggests an increased risk of breast cancer in women taking combined oestrogen-progestagen and possibly also oestrogen-only HRT, that is dependent on the duration of taking HRT.
The WHI trial found no increase in risk of breast cancer in hysterectomised women using oestrogen-only HRT. Observational studies have mostly reported a small increase in risk of having breast cancer diagnosed that is substantially lower than found in users of oestrogen-progestagen combinations.
The excess risk becomes apparent within a few years of use but returns to baseline within a few (at most five) years after stopping treatment.
A relationship between breast cancer risk and low dose local vaginal oestrogen therapy is uncertain.
HRT, especially oestrogen-progestagen combined treatment, increases the density of mammographic images which may adversely affect the radiological detection of breast cancer.
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is much rarer than breast cancer.
Epidemiological evidence from a large meta-analysis suggests a slightly increased risk in women taking oestrogen-only or combined oestrogen-progestagen HRT, which becomes apparent within 5 years of use and diminishes over time after stopping.
Some other studies, including the WHI trial, suggest that use of combined HRTs may be associated with a similar or slightly smaller risk.
A relationship between ovarian cancer risk and low dose local vaginal oestrogen therapy is uncertain.
Venous thromboembolism
HRT is associated with a 1.3- to 3-fold risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), i.e. deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. The occurrence of such an event is more likely in the first year of HRT than later.
Patients with known thrombophilic states have an increased risk of VTE and HRT may add to this risk. HRT is therefore contraindicated in these patients.
Generally recognised risk factors for VTE include use of oestrogens, older age, major surgery, prolonged immobilisation, obesity (BMI >30 kg/m²), pregnancy/postpartum period, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cancer. There is no consensus about the possible role of varicose veins in VTE.
A relationship between venous thromboembolism and low dose local vaginal oestrogen therapy is uncertain.
As in all postoperative patients, prophylactic measures need to be considered to prevent VTE following surgery. If prolonged immobilisation is to follow elective surgery, temporarily stopping HRT 4 to 6 weeks earlier is recommended. Treatment should not be restarted until the woman is completely mobilised.
In women with no personal history of VTE but with a first degree relative with a history of thrombosis at a young age, screening may be offered after careful counselling regarding its limitations (only a proportion of thrombophilic defects are identified by screening).
If a thrombophilic defect is identified which segregates with thrombosis in family members or if the defect is 'severe' (e.g. antithrombin, protein S, or protein C deficiencies or a combination of defects) HRT is contraindicated.
Women already on chronic anticoagulant treatment require careful consideration of the benefit-risk of use of HRT.
If VTE develops after initiating therapy, the drug should be discontinued. Patients should be told to contact their doctors immediately when they are aware of a potential thromboembolic symptom (e.g. painful swelling of a leg, sudden pain in the chest, dyspnoea).
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
There is no evidence from randomised controlled trials of protection against myocardial infarction in women with or without existing CAD who received combined oestrogen-progestagen or oestrogen-only therapy.
Randomised controlled data found no increased risk of CAD in hysterectomised women using oestrogen-only therapy.
Ischaemic stroke
Combined oestrogen-progestagen and oestrogen-only therapy are associated with an up to 1.5-fold increase in risk of ischaemic stroke. The relative risk does not change with age or time since menopause. However, as the baseline risk of stroke is strongly age-dependent, the overall risk of stroke in women who use HRT increase with age.
A relationship between ischaemic stroke and low dose local vaginal oestrogen therapy is uncertain.
Other conditions
Oestrogens may cause fluid retention, and therefore patients with cardiac or renal dysfunction should be carefully observed.
Women with pre-existing hypertriglyceridaemia should be followed closely during oestrogen replacement or hormone replacement therapy, since rare cases of large increases of plasma triglycerides leading to pancreatitis have been reported with oestrogen therapy in this condition.
The relationship between pre-existing hypertriglyceridaemia and low dose local vaginal oestrogen therapy is unknown.
Oestrogens increase thyroid binding globulin (TBG), leading to increased circulating total thyroid hormone (as measured by protein-bound iodine (PBI)), T4 levels (by column or by radioimmunoassay) or T3 levels (by radioimmunoassay).'Pharmacokinetic Properties') is likely to result in less pronounced effects on plasma binding proteins than with systemic hormones.
HRT does not improve cognitive function. There is some evidence from the WHI trial of increased risk of probable dementia in women who start using continuous combined or oestrogen-only HRT after the age of 65.
Intravaginal applicator may cause minor local trauma, especially in women with serious vaginal atrophy.
Evidence regarding the risks associated with HRT in the treatment of premature menopause is limited. Due to the low level of absolute risk in younger women, however, the balance of benefits and risks for these women may be more favourable than in older women.
No effects known.
Adverse events from clinical trials:
More than 673 patients have been treated with Vagifem 10 micrograms in clinical trials, including over 497 patients treated up to 52 weeks.
Oestrogen-related adverse events such as breast pain, peripheral oedema and postmenopausal bleedings have been reported at very low rates, similar to placebo, with Vagifem 10 micrograms, but if they occur, they are most likely present only at the beginning of the treatment. The adverse events observed with a higher frequency in patients treated with Vagifem 10 micrograms as compared to placebo and which are possibly related to treatment are presented below.
| System organ class | Common > 1/100 to <1/10 | Uncommon > 1/1,000 to <1/100 | Rare > 1/10,000 to <1/1,000 |
| Infections and infestations | Vulvovaginal mycotic infection | ||
| Nervous system disorders | Headache | ||
| Gastrointestinal disorders | Abdominal pain | Nausea | |
| Reproductive system and breast disorders | Vaginal haemorrhage, vaginal discharge or vaginal discomfort | ||
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Rash | ||
| Investigations | Weight increased | ||
| Vascular disorders | Hot flush Hypertension |
Post-marketing experience:
In addition to the above mentioned adverse drug reactions, those presented below have been spontaneously reported for patients being treated with Vagifem 25 micrograms, and are considered possibly related to treatment. The reporting rate of these spontaneous adverse reactions is very rare (<1/10,000 patient years).
- Neoplasms benign and malignant (including cysts and polyps): breast cancer, endometrial cancer
- Immune system disorders: generalised hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. anaphylactic reaction/shock)
- Metabolism and nutrition disorders: fluid retention
- Psychiatric disorders: insomnia
- Nervous system disorders: migraine aggravated
- Vascular disorders: deep venous thrombosis
- Gastrointestinal disorders: diarrhoea
- Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: urticaria, rash erythematous, rash pruritic, genital pruritus
- Reproductive system and breast disorders: endometrial hyperplasia, vaginal irritation, vaginal pain, vaginismus, vaginal ulceration
- General disorders and administration site conditions: drug ineffective
- Investigations: weight increased, blood oestrogen increased.
Other adverse reactions have been reported in association with oestrogen treatment. Risk estimates have been drawn from systemic exposure and it is not known how these apply to local treatments:
- Myocardial infarction, congestive heart disease
- Stroke
- Gall bladder disease
- Skin and subcutaneous disorders: chloasma, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, vascular purpura
- Increase in size of fibroids
- Epilepsy
- Libido disorder
- Deterioration of asthma
- Probable dementia over the age of 65.
Breast cancer risk
Risk estimates have been drawn from systemic exposure and it is not known how these apply to local treatments.
- An up to 2-fold increased risk of having breast cancer diagnosed is reported in women taking combined oestrogen-progestagen therapy for more than 5 years.
- Any increased risk in users of oestrogen-only therapy is substantially lower than that seen in users of oestrogen-progestagen combinations.
- The level of risk is dependent on the duration of use.
- Results of the largest randomised placebo-controlled trial (WHI-study) and largest epidemiological study (MWS) are presented.
Million Women Study - Estimated additional risk of breast cancer after 5 years' use
| Age range (years) | Incidence per 1,000 never-users of HRT over a 5 year period* | Risk ratio and 95% CI # | Additional cases per 1,000 HRT users over 5 years (95% CI) |
| Oestrogen only HRT | |||
| 50 - 65 | 9 - 12 | 1.2 | 1 - 2 (0 - 3) |
| Combined oestrogen-progestagen | |||
| 50 - 65 | 9 - 12 | 1.7 | 6 (5 - 7) |
| * Taken from baseline incidence rates in developed countries. # Overall risk ratio. The risk ratio is not constant but will increase with increasing duration on use. Note: Since the background incidence of breast cancer differs by EU country, the number of additional cases of breast cancer will also change proportionately. | |||
US WHI studies - additional risk of breast cancer after 5 years' use
| Age range (years) | Incidence per 1,000 women in placebo arm over 5 years | Risk ratio and 95% CI | Additional cases per 1,000 HRT users over 5 years (95% CI) |
| CEE oestrogen-only | |||
| 50 - 79 | 21 | 0.8 (0.7 - 1.0) | -4 (-6 - 0)* |
| CEE+MPA oestrogen & progestagen‡ | |||
| 50 - 79 | 17 | 1.2 (1.0 - 1.5) | +4 (0 - 9) |
* WHI study in women with no uterus, which did not show an increase in risk of breast cancer.
‡When the analysis was restricted to women who had not used HRT prior to the study there was no increased risk apparent during the first 5 years of treatment: after 5 years the risk was higher than in non-users.
Endometrial cancer risk
Postmenopausal women with a uterus
The endometrial cancer risk is about 5 in every 1000 women with an uterus not using HRT.
In women with a uterus, use of systemic oestrogen-only HRT is not recommended because it increases the risk of endometrial cancer.
Depending on the duration of systemic oestrogen-only use and oestrogen dose, the increase in risk of endometrial cancer in epidemiology studies varied from between 5 and 55 extra cases diagnosed in every 1000 women between the ages of 50 and 65.
Adding a progestagen to systemic oestrogen-only therapy for at least 12 days per cycle can prevent this increased risk.
Ovarian cancer
Risk estimates have been drawn from systemic exposure and it is not known how these apply to local treatments.
Use of oestrogen-only or combined oestrogen-progestagen HRT has been associated with a slightly increased risk of having ovarian cancer diagnosed.
A meta-analysis from 52 epidemiological studies reported an increased risk of ovarian cancer in women currently using HRT compared to women who have never used HRT (RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.31-1.56). For women aged 50 to 54 years taking 5 years of HRT, this results in about 1 extra case per 2,000 users. In women aged 50 to 54 who are not taking HRT, about 2 women in 2000 will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer over a 5-year period.
Risk of venous thromboembolism
Risk estimates have been drawn from systemic exposure and it is not known how these apply to local treatments.
HRT is associated with a 1.3- to 3-fold increased relative risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), i.e. deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. The occurrence of such an event is more likely in the first year of using HRT. Results of the WHI studies are presented:
WHI Studies - Additional risk of VTE over 5 years' use
| Age range (years) | Incidence per 1,000 women in placebo arm over 5 years | Risk ratio and 95% CI | Additional cases per 1,000 HRT users |
| Oral oestrogen-only* | |||
| 50 - 59 | 7 | 1.2 (0.6 - 2.4) | 1 (-3 - 10) |
| Oral combined oestrogen-progestagen | |||
| 50 - 59 | 4 | 2.3 (1.2 - 4.3) | 5 (1 - 13) |
* Study in women with no uterus.
Risk of coronary artery disease
Risk estimates have been drawn from systemic exposure and it is not known how these apply to local treatments.
The risk of coronary artery disease is slightly increased in users of combined oestrogen-progestagen HRT over the age of 60.
Risk of ischaemic stroke
Risk estimates have been drawn from systemic exposure and it is not known how these apply to local treatments.
The use of oestrogen-only and oestrogen-progestagen therapy is associated with an up to 1.5-fold increased relative risk of ischaemic stroke.
WHI studies combined - Additional risk of ischaemic stroke* over 5 years' use
| Age range (years) | Incidence per 1,000 women in placebo arm over 5 years | Risk ratio and 95% CI | Additional cases per 1,000 HRT users over 5 years |
| 50 - 59 | 8 | 1.3 (1.1 - 1.6) | 3 (1 - 5) |
* No differentiation was made between ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
Vagifem is intended for intravaginal use and the dose of estradiol is very low. Overdose is therefore unlikely, but if it occurs, treatment is symptomatic.
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Natural and semisynthetic oestrogens, plain.
ATC code: G03CA03
The active ingredient, synthetic 17β-estradiol, is chemically and biologically identical to endogenous human estradiol.
Endogenous 17β-estradiol induces and maintains the primary and secondary female sexual characteristics. The biological effect of 17β-estradiol is carried out through a number of specific oestrogen receptors. The steroid receptor complex is bound to the cells DNA and induces synthesis of specific proteins.
Maturation of the vaginal epithelium is dependent upon oestrogens. Oestrogens increase the number of superficial and intermediate cells and decrease the number of basal cells in vaginal smear.
Oestrogens maintain vaginal pH around normal range (4.5) which enhances normal bacterial flora.
A 12-months, double-blind, randomised, parallel group, placebo-controlled, multicentre study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Vagifem 10 micrograms in the treatment of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy symptoms.
After 12 weeks of treatment with Vagifem 10 micrograms the change from baseline, in comparison with placebo treatment, demonstrated significant improvements in the three primary endpoints: Vaginal Maturation Index and Value, normalisation of vaginal pH and relief of the moderate/severe urogenital symptoms considered most bothersome by the subjects.
Endometrial safety of Vagifem 10 micrograms was evaluated in the above mentioned trial and a second, open-label, multicentre trial. In total, 386 women underwent endometrial biopsy at the beginning and at the end of 52 weeks treatment. Incidence rate of hyperplasia and/or carcinoma was 0.52% (95% CI 0.06%, 1.86%), indicating no increased risk.
Absorption
Oestrogens are well absorbed through the skin, mucous membranes and the gastrointestinal tract. After vaginal administration, estradiol is absorbed circumventing first-pass metabolism.
A 12-weeks, single-centre, randomised, open label, multiple dose, parallel-group trial was conducted to evaluate the extent of systemic absorption of estradiol from the Vagifem 10 micrograms tablet. Subjects were randomised 1:1 to receive either 10 micrograms or 25 micrograms Vagifem. Plasma levels of estradiol (E2), oestrone (E1) and oestrone sulfate (E1S) were determined. The AUC(0-24) for plasma E2 levels increased almost proportionally after the administration of 10 micrograms and 25 micrograms Vagifem. The AUC(0-24) indicated higher systemic estradiol levels for the 10 micrograms E2 tablet as compared to baseline on treatment days 1, 14 and 83, being statistically significant at days 1 and 14 (Table 1). However, average plasma E2 concentrations (Cave (0-24)) at all evaluated days remained within the normal postmenopausal range in all subjects. The data from days 82 and 83 as compared to baseline indicate that there is no cumulative effect during twice weekly maintenance therapy.
Table 1 Values of PK parameters from plasma Estradiol (E2) concentrations:
| Vagifem 10 micrograms | ||
| AUC(0-24) pg.h/ml (geom. mean) | Cave (0-24) pg/ml (geom. mean) | |
| Day -1 | 75.65 | 3.15 |
| Day 1 | 225.35 | 9.39 |
| Day 14 | 157.47 | 6.56 |
| Day 82 | 44.95 | 1.87 |
| Day 83 | 111.41 | 4.64 |
The levels of oestrone and oestrone sulfate seen after 12 weeks of Vagifem 10 micrograms administration did not exceed baseline levels, i.e. no accumulation of oestrone or oestrone sulfate was observed.
Distribution
The distribution of exogenous oestrogens is similar to that of endogenous oestrogens. Oestrogens are widely distributed in the body and are generally found in higher concentrations in the sex hormone target organs. Oestrogens circulate in the blood largely bound to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin.
Biotransformation
Exogenous oestrogens are metabolized in the same manner as endogenous oestrogens. The metabolic transformations take place mainly in the liver. Estradiol is converted reversibly to oestrone, and both can be converted to estriol, which is the major urinary metabolite. In postmenopausal women, a significant portion of the circulating oestrogens exist as sulfate conjugates, especially oestrone sulfate, which serves as a circulating reservoir for the formation of more active oestrogens.
Elimination
Estradiol, oestrone and estriol are excreted in the urine along with glucuronide and sulfate conjugates.
Special patient groups
The extent of systemic absorption of estradiol during treatment with Vagifem 10 micrograms has been evaluated in postmenopausal women aged 60-70 (mean age 65.4) only.
17β-Estradiol is a well-known substance. Non-clinical studies provided no additional data of relevance to clinical safety beyond those already included in other sections of the SPC.
Not applicable.
Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
17β-estradiol is expected to pose a risk to the aquatic environment, especially to fish populations.
