Везантра

Oral contraception.

The decision to prescribe Везантра should take into consideration the individual woman's current risk factors, particularly those for venous thromboembolism (VTE), and how the risk of VTE with Везантра compares with other combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs).

Posology

How is Везантра taken?

Tablets must be taken orally in the order directed on the blister package at about the same time every day, with some liquid if necessary.

One tablet is to be taken daily for 21 consecutive days. Every subsequent blister pack is started after a 7-day tablet-free interval during which time a withdrawal bleeding usually occurs. This bleeding will usually start on the 2nd or 3rd day after the last tablet has been taken and it may not have stopped, before the next blister pack is started.

How to start the use of Везантра

No preceding hormonal contraceptive use in the past month.

Tablet-taking is started on day 1 of the woman's natural cycle (= the first day of her menstrual bleeding).

Changing from another combined hormonal contraceptive (combined oral contraceptive (COC), vaginal ring or transdermal patch):

Take the first tablet the day after the dose of the last active tablet of the previous contraceptive or, at the latest, the day after the usual period of stopping the tablets.

In case of vaginal ring or transdermal patch, take the first tablet the day of removal or at the latest the day scheduled for application of the new device or ring.

Changing from a progestogen-only method (progestogen-only -pill, injection, implant or from a progestogen-releasing intrauterine system (IUS))

Switching from the progestogen-only pill can be performed at any time in the cycle and Везантра coated tablet should be commenced the day after stopping.

Switching from an implant or IUS should occur on the day of removal and for an injectable contraceptive on the day scheduled for the new injection. In all cases, using an additional method of contraception for the 7 first days of treatment is recommended.

After abortion in 1st trimester

The woman may start the tablet intake immediately. In this case, it is not necessary to take further contraceptive precautions.

After delivery or abortion in 2nd trimester

The woman should be advised to start on day 21-28 after delivery in non-lactating women or abortion in the 2nd trimester, because there is an increased risk of thromboembolic disorders during the post partum period. If she starts later than this, she should be advised to use a concomitant barrier method during the first 7 days of tablet intake. However, if she already has had intercourse, pregnancy must be excluded, before she starts the tablets, or she should wait for her first menstrual bleeding.

In case of breast-feeding

Missed tablets

If the woman has forgotten tablet intake for less than 12 hours, the contraceptive protection is not reduced. The woman should take the tablet as soon as she remembers this, and the remaining tablets should be taken at the usual time.

If the delay exceeds 12 hours, the contraceptive protection may be reduced. Handling of missed tablets may be managed by the following two basic rules:

1. Tablets should never be delayed for longer than 7 days.

2. Seven days of uninterrupted tablet taking is required to maintain adequate suppression of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian-axis.

Thus, the following advice may be given in daily practice:

Week 1:

The woman should take the last missed tablet as soon as she remembers this, even if this means that she has to take 2 tablets at the same time. Hereafter, she continues taking the tablets at the usual time point. She should use a barrier method concomitantly, e.g. a condom, for the next 7 days. If intercourse has taken place during the previous 7 days, the possibility of pregnancy must be considered. The more forgotten tablets, and the closer to the usual tablet-free interval this takes place, the greater the risk of pregnancy.

Week 2:

The woman should take the last missed tablet as soon as she remembers this, even if this means that she has to take 2 tablets at the same time. Hereafter, she continues taking the tablets at the usual time point. Provided that the tablets have been taken correctly during the 7 days preceding the first missed tablet, it is not necessary to take further contraceptive precautions. However, if this is not the case, or if more than 1 tablet has been forgotten, the woman should be advised to additionally use a barrier method (such as a condom) for 7 days.

Week 3:

The risk of contraceptive failure is imminent because of the ensuing tablet-free interval. The reduced contraceptive protection may, however, be prevented by adjusting the tablet intake. Therefore, by following one of the following two alternatives, it is not necessary to take further contraceptive precautions, provided that all tablets have been taken correctly during the 7 days preceding the first missed tablet. If this is not the case, the woman should be advised to follow the first of the two alternatives. Additionally a barrier method (such as a condom) should be used concomitantly for the next 7 days.

1. The woman should take the last missed tablet as soon as she remembers this, even if this means that she has to take 2 tablets at the same time. Thereafter, she should continue to take the tablets at the usual time point. She should start on the next blister pack immediately after taking the last tablet in the current blister pack, i.e. there will be no tablet-free interval between the blister packs. A withdrawal bleeding is unlikely until the end of the second blister pack, but she may experience spotting or break through bleeding on the days she is taking tablets.

2. The woman may also be advised to stop taking tablets from the current blister pack. In this case, she should keep a tablet-free interval of up to 7 days, including the days she forgot to take her tablets, and thereafter continue with the next blister pack.

If the woman has missed tablets and does not get a withdrawal bleeding during the first, normal tablet-free interval, the possibility of pregnancy must be considered.

Advice in the case of gastro-intestinal disturbances

If case of severe gastro-intestinal symptoms (e.g. vomiting or diarrhoea), absorption of the active ingredients may not be complete and additional contraceptive measures should be taken.

If vomiting or severe diarrhea occurs within 3 to 4 hours after taking a tablet, a new tablet should be taken as a replacement as soon as possible. The new tablet should be taken if possible within 12 hours of the usual dose time.

If more than 12 hours elapse, the same instructions as those provided for missed tablets should apply.

If the woman does not want to change her usual tablet intake, she should take the required extra tablet(s) from another blister pack.

How to delay or shift a withdrawal bleeding

In order to delay a withdrawal bleeding, the woman should continue the next blister pack of Везантра, after taking the last tablet in the current pack, without a tablet-free interval. The extension can be carried on for as long as desired until the end of the second blister pack. During the extension the woman may experience break through bleeding or spotting. Regular intake of Везантра is resumed after the usual 7 days tablet-free interval.

To shift her withdrawal bleeding to another day of the week, rather than the one the woman is used to with the present tablet intake, she may be advised to shorten the forthcoming tablet-free interval by as many days as she likes. The shorter the interval, the greater the risk that she will not have a withdrawal bleeding and that she may have breakthrough bleeding or spotting during the second blister pack (which is also the case when delaying a period). It is important to emphasise that the tablet-free interval should not be extended.

Method of administration

For oral administration.

Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) must not be used in the presence of the conditions mentioned below. If such a condition should occur for the first time during use of COCs, the use must be discontinued immediately:

- Presence or risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)

- Presence or risk of arterial thromboembolism (ATE)

- Severe hepatic disease, current or previous, as long as liver function values have not returned to normal.

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- Presence or history of liver tumours (benign or malignant).

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- Known or suspected hormone-dependent malignant tumour (e.g. genital organ or breast tumours).

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- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.

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Везантра is contraindicated for concomitant use with the medicinal products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir.

Warnings

If any of the conditions or risk factors mentioned below is present, the suitability of Везантра should be discussed with the woman.

In the event of aggravation, or first appearance of any of these conditions or risk factors, the woman should be advised to contact her doctor to determine whether the use of Везантра should be discontinued.

Circulatory disorders

Risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)

The use of any combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared with no use. Products that contain levonorgestrel, such as Везантра, norgestimate or norethisterone are associated with the lowest risk of VTE. The decision to use Везантра should be taken after a discussion with the woman to ensure she understands the risk of VTE with Везантра, how her current risk factors influence this risk, and that her VTE risk is highest in the first ever year of use. There is also some evidence that the risk is increased when a CHC is re-started after a break in use of 4 weeks or more.

In women who do not use a CHC and are not pregnant, about 2 out of 10,000 will develop a VTE over the period of one year. However, in any individual woman the risk may be far higher, depending on her underlying risk factors (see below).

It is estimated that out of 10,000 women who use a CHC that contains levonorgestrel, about 6¹ will develop a VTE in one year.

This number of VTEs per year is fewer than the number expected in women during pregnancy or in the postpartum period.

VTE is fatal in 1% to 2% of the cases.

Thrombosis in other blood vessels has very rarely been reported, i.e. hepatic, mesenteric, renal, cerebral or retinal veins and arteries, in users of oral contraceptives.

Risk factors for VTE

The risk for venous thromboembolic complications in COC users may increase substantially in a woman with additional risk factors, particularly if there are multiple risk factors (see table).

Везантра is contraindicated if a woman has multiple risk factors that put her at high risk of venous thrombosis. If a woman has more than one risk factor, it is possible that the increase in risk is greater than the sum of the individual factors - in this case her total risk of VTE should be considered. If the balance of benefits and risks is considered to be negative a COC should not be prescribed.

Table: Risk factors for VTE

There is no consensus about the possible role of varicose veins and superficial thrombophlebitis in the onset or progression of venous thrombosis.

The increased risk of thromboembolism in pregnancy, and particularly the 6 week period of the puerperium, must be considered (for information on “Fertility, pregnancy and lactation” see section 4.6).

Symptoms of VTE (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism)

In the event of symptoms women should be advised to seek urgent medical attention and to inform the healthcare professional that she is taking a CHC.

Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can include:

- unilateral swelling of the leg and/or foot or along a vein in the leg;

- pain or tenderness in the leg which may be felt only when standing or walking,

- increased warmth in the affected leg; red or discoloured skin on the leg.

Symptoms of pulmonary embolism (PE) can include:

- sudden onset of unexplained shortness of breath or rapid breathing;

- sudden coughing which may be associated with haemoptysis;

- sharp chest pain;

- severe light headedness or dizziness;

- rapid or irregular heartbeat.

Some of these symptoms (e.g. “shortness of breath”, “coughing”) are non-specific and might be misinterpreted as more common or less severe events (e.g. respiratory tract infections).

Other signs of vascular occlusion can include: sudden pain, swelling and slight blue discoloration of an extremity.

If the occlusion occurs in the eye symptoms can range from painless blurring of vision which can progress to loss of vision. Sometimes loss of vision can occur almost immediately.

Risk of arterial thromboembolism (ATE)

Epidemiological studies have associated the use of CHCs with an increased risk for arterial thromboembolism (myocardial infarction) or for cerebrovascular accident (e.g. transient ischaemic attack, stroke). Arterial thromboembolic events may be fatal.

Risk factors for ATE

The risk of arterial thromboembolic complications or of a cerebrovascular accident in CHC users increases in women with risk factors (see table).

Везантра is contraindicated if a woman has one serious or multiple risk factors for ATE that puts her at high risk of arterial thrombosis. If a woman has more than one risk factor, it is possible that the increase in risk is greater than the sum of the individual factors - in this case her total risk should be considered. If the balance of benefits and risks is considered to be negative a CHC should not be prescribed.

Table: Risk factors for ATE

Symptoms of ATE

In the event of symptoms women should be advised to seek urgent medical attention and to inform the healthcare professional that she is taking a CHC.

Symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident can include:

- sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body;

- sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination;

- sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding;

- sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes;

- sudden, severe or prolonged headache with no known cause;

- loss of consciousness or fainting with or without seizure.

Temporary symptoms suggest the event is a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

Symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI) can include:

- pain, discomfort, pressure, heaviness, sensation of squeezing or fullness in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone;

- discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, arm, stomach;

- feeling of being full, having indigestion or choking;

- sweating, nausea, vomiting or dizziness;

- extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath;

- rapid or irregular heartbeats.

Tumours

An increased risk of cervical cancer in long-term users of COCs has been reported in some epidemiological studies, but there continues to be controversy about the extent to which this finding is attributable to the confounding effects of sexual behavior and other factors such as human papilloma virus (HPV).

A meta-analysis of 54 epidemiological studies showed that there is a slightly increased relative risk (RR = 1.24) of having breast cancer diagnosed in women who are currently using COCs. The excess risk gradually disappears during the course of the 10 years after cessation of COC use. Because breast cancer is rare in women under 40 years of age, the excess number of breast cancer diagnoses in current and recent COC users is small in relation to the overall risk of breast cancer. These studies do not provide evidence for causation.

The observed pattern of increased risk may be due to an earlier diagnosis of breast cancer in COC users, the biological effects of COCs or a combination of both. The breast cancers diagnosed in ever-users tend to be less advanced clinically than the cancers diagnosed in never-users.

In rare cases, benign liver tumors, and even more rarely, malignant liver tumors have been reported in users of COCs. In isolated cases, these tumors have led to life-threatening intra-abdominal hemorrhages. A hepatic tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis when severe upper abdominal pain, liver enlargement or signs of intra-abdominal hemorrhage occur in women taking COCs.

Other conditions

Hypertriglyceridaemia

Women with hypertriglyceridaemia, or a family history thereof, may be at increased risk of pancreatitis when taking COCs.

Liver conditions

Acute or chronic disturbances of liver function may necessitate the discontinuation of COC use until the liver function values returned to normal. Recurrence of cholestatic jaundice and/or cholestasis-related pruritus which occurred during pregnancy or previous use of sex steroids necessitates the discontinuation of COCs.

Hypertension

Although small increases in blood pressure have been reported in many women taking COCs, clinically important increases are rare. Only in these rare cases an immediate discontinuation of COC use is justified. If, during the use of a COC in preexisting hypertension, constantly elevated blood pressure values or a significant increase in blood pressure do not respond adequately to antihypertensive treatment, the COC must be withdrawn. Where considered appropriate, COC use may be resumed if normotensive values can be achieved with antihypertensive therapy.

Angioedema

In women with hereditary angioedema exogenous estrogens may induce or exacerbate symptoms of angioedema.

Glucose intolerance/diabetes

Although COCs may have an effect on peripheral insulin resistance and glucose tolerance, there is no evidence for a need to alter the therapeutic regimen in diabetics using low-dose COCs (containing less than 0.05 mg of ethinylestradiol). Therefore, diabetics should be closely monitored during COC use.

Others

The relapse of a cholestatic jaundice or pruritus related to cholestasis that occurred during a previous pregnancy or prior intake of steroid hormones should lead to discontinuation of the COC.

The occurrence or exacerbation of the following pathologies has been observed during pregnancy or in women taking COCs, although the liability of the COC has not been set out: jaundice and/or pruritus because of a cholestasis, biliary lithiasis, porphyria, disseminated lupus erythematosus, haemolytic-uraemic syndrome, Sydenham's Chorea, gestational herpes, hearing loss because of otosclerosis.

Some cases of aggravation of endogenous depression, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have been observed when taking COCs.

Chloasma may occur, in particular in women with a medical history of chloasma gravidarum. Women with a predisposition to chloasma under COCs should avoid exposing themselves to sun or ultra-violet rays.

Women who get severely depressed during the use of COCs should discontinue use and be advised to use an alternative contraceptive method while trying to determine if the symptoms are due to the COC preparation. Women who have previously suffered from episodes of major depression should be closely monitored and stop the use of the COC if the symptoms of depression relapse.

Medical examination/consultation

Prior to the initiation or reinstitution of Везантра a complete medical history (including family history) should be taken and pregnancy must be ruled out. Blood pressure should be measured and a physical examination should be performed guided by the contraindications and warnings. It is important to draw a woman's attention to the information on venous and arterial thrombosis, including the risk of Везантра compared with other COCs, the symptoms of VTE and ATE, the known risk factors and what to do in the event of a suspected thrombosis. The woman should also be instructed to carefully read the user leaflet and to adhere to the advice given. The frequency and nature of examinations should be based on established practice guidelines and be adapted to the individual woman.

Women should be advised that oral contraceptives do not protect against HIV infections (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD).

Reduced efficacy

The efficacy of oral contraceptives may be reduced in the case of missed tablets vomiting or diarrhoea or concomitant medication.

Reduced cycle control

With all combined oral contraceptives, irregular bleeding (spotting or break through bleeding) may occur, especially during the first months. Hence, the evaluation of any irregular bleeding should be considered after a period of adaptation of approximately 3 cycles.

If bleeding irregularities occur after previously regular cycles, then non-hormonal causes should be considered, and adequate diagnostic measures are indicated to exclude malignancy or pregnancy. These may include curettage.

Occasionally withdrawal bleeding during the tablet-free interval may not occur at all. However, if the tablets have not been taken according to the instructions, before the first absent withdrawal bleeding, or if two withdrawal bleedings are overdue, pregnancy should be excluded before COC use is continued.

ALT elevations

During clinical trials with patients treated for hepatitis C virus infections (HCV) with the medicinal products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir with or without ribavirin, transaminase (ALT) elevations higher than 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) occurred significantly more frequent in women using ethinylestradiol-containing medications such as combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs).

Везантра contains lactose and sucrose.

Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucosegalactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.

¹ Mid-point of range of 5-7 per 10,000 WY, based on a relative risk for CHCs containing levonorgestrel versus non-use of approximately 2.3 to 3.6

No study on the ability to drive and use machines has been performed. No effects on the ability to drive and use machines in COC users have been observed.

The following adverse effects have been reported during combined oral contraceptive treatment:

Description of selected adverse reactions

- Venous thromboembolic disorders, i.e. deep leg or pelvic venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

- Arterial thromboembolic disorders

- Hypertension

- Cervical cancer

- Liver tumours

- Skin and subcutaeous disorders: chloasma; erythema nodosum.

- Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, porphyria, systemic lupus erythematosus, herpes gestationis, Sydenham's chorea, haemolytic uremic syndrome, cholestatic jaundice.

The frequency of diagnosis of breast cancer is very slightly increased among COC-users.4.

In women with hereditary angioedema exogenous estrogens may induce or exacerbate symptoms of angioedema.

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).

Symptoms of overdose of oral contraceptive have been reported in adults, adolescents and children aged 12 and under. Symptoms of overdose can manifest by nausea, vomiting, breast pains, dizziness, abdominal pains, drowsiness/fatigue and vaginal bleeding in young girls. There is no antidote and treatment should only be symptomatic.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Hormonal contraceptives for systemic use; Progestogens and estrogens, fixed combinations; ATC code: G 03 AA 07

The contraceptive effect of Везантра is based on the interaction of various factors. The most important of these factors are the inhibition of ovulation and changes in the cervical mucus.

Combined oral contraceptives, when taken correctly, have a failure rate of approximately 1% per year. The failure rate may increase when pills are missed or taken incorrectly.

Clinical trials have been performed in 2498 women aged 18 to 40 years. The overall Pearl Index calculated from these trials was 0.69 (95% confidence interval 0.30 - 1.36) based on 15,026 treatment cycles.

Levonorgestrel

Absorption

Levonorgestrel is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration of Везантра. The bioavailability is approximately 100% and levonorgestrel is not subject to first-pass metabolism.

Distribution

Levonorgestrel is to a large extent bound to albumin and SHBG (Sex Hormon Binding Globulin) in plasma.

Biotransformation

Metabolism is mainly by reduction of the Δ4-3-oxo group and hydroxylation at the positions 2α, 1β and 16β, followed by conjugation. The majority of the metabolites circulating in the blood are sulphates of 3α, 5β-tetrahydro-levonorgestrel, while excretion mainly takes place as glucuronides. Some of the original levonorgestrel is also circulating as 17β-sulphate. Metabolic clearance is subject to marked inter-individual variation which may partly explain the wide variation in the concentrations of levonorgestrel observed among patients.

Elimination

Levonorgestrel is eliminated with a mean T½ of approximately 36 hours at steady state. Levonorgestrel and its metabolites are primarily excreted in the urine (40%-68%) and approximately 16%-48% is excreted in the faeces.

Ethinylestradiol

Absorption

Ethinylestradiol is rapidly and completely absorbed, and peak plasma levels are reached after 1.5 hours. Following presystemic conjugation and first-pass metabolism, the absolute bioavailability is 60%. The area under curve and C_max may over time be expected to increase slightly.

Distribution

Ethinylestradiol is to 98.8% bound to plasma proteins, almost entirely to albumin.

Biotransformation

Ethinylestradiol undergoes presystemic conjugation both in the small intestinal mucosa and in the liver. Hydrolysis of the direct conjugates of ethinylestradiol by the intestinal flora gives ethinylestradiol, which can be re-absorbed, thereby creating an enterohepatic circulation. The primary route of metabolism of ethinylestradiol is cytochrome P-450-mediated hydroxylation, where the primary metabolites are 2-OH-Ethinylestradiol and 2-methoxy-Ethinylestradiol. 2-OH-Ethinylestradiol is further metabolised to chemically reactive metabolites.

Elimination

Ethinylestradiol disappears from plasma with a T½ of approximately 29 hours (26-33 hours), plasma clearance varies from 10-30 l/hour. The excretion of conjugates of ethinylestradiol and its metabolites takes place via urine and faeces (ratio 1:1).

Acute toxicity of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel is low. Because of marked species differences preclinical results possess a limited predictive value for the application of estrogens in humans.

In experimental animals estrogens displayed an embryolethal effect already at relatively low doses; malformations of the urogenital tract and feminisation of male fetuses were observed. Levonorgestrel displayed a virilising effect in female fetuses. Reproduction toxicology studies in rats, mice and rabbits revealed no hint for teratogenicity beyond the effect on sexual differentiation.

Preclinical data based on conventional studies of repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenic potential revealed no particular human risks beyond those discussed in other sections of the SPC.

Not applicable.

No special requirements.