Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest ESTRADIOL VALERATE AND ESTRADIOL VALERATE DIENOGEST SANDOZ INC FDA Approved Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest tablets provide an oral contraceptive regimen consisting of 26 active film-coated tablets that contain the active ingredients specified for each tablet below, followed by two inert film-coated tablets: • 2 dark yellow tablets each containing 3 mg estradiol valerate • 5 medium red tablets each containing 2 mg estradiol valerate and 2 mg dienogest • 17 light yellow tablets each containing 2 mg estradiol valerate and 3 mg dienogest • 2 dark red tablets each containing 1 mg estradiol valerate • 2 white tablets (inert) Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest also contains the excipients lactose monohydrate, maize starch, maize starch pre-gelatinized, povidone 25, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol 6000, talc, titanium dioxide, and ferric oxide pigment, yellow, or ferric oxide pigment, red. The empirical formula of estradiol valerate is C 23 H 32 O 3 and the chemical structure is: Estradiol Valerate Estradiol Valerate The chemical name of estradiol valerate is Estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17-diol(17ß)-,17-pentanoate. The empirical formula of dienogest is C 20 H 25 NO 2 and the chemical structure is: Dienogest Dienogest The chemical name of dienogest is (17α)-17-Hydroxy-3-oxo-19-norpregna-4,9-diene-21-nitrile. EV Chem Struc Dien Chem Struc
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Applications
NDA022252

Drug Facts

Composition & Profile

Dosage Forms
Tablet
Strengths
3 mg 2 mg 1 mg
Quantities
28 tablets
Treats Conditions
1 Indications And Usage Estradiol Valerate And Estradiol Valerate Dienogest Is An Estrogen Progestin Coc Indicated For Use By Women To Prevent Pregnancy 1 Treatment Of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding In Women Without Organic Pathology Who Choose To Use An Oral Contraceptive As Their Method Of Contraception 1 2 The Efficacy Of Estradiol Valerate And Estradiol Valerate Dienogest In Women With A Body Mass Index Bmi Of 30 Kg M 2 Has Not Been Evaluated 1 8 8 1 1 Oral Contraception Estradiol Valerate And Estradiol Valerate Dienogest Is Indicated For Use By Women To Prevent Pregnancy The Efficacy Of Estradiol Valerate And Estradiol Valerate Dienogest In Women With A Body Mass Index Bmi Of 30 Kg M 2 Has Not Been Evaluated 1 2 Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Estradiol Valerate And Estradiol Valerate Dienogest Is Also Indicated For The Treatment Of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding In Women Without Organic Pathology Who Choose To Use An Oral Contraceptive As Their Method Of Contraception See Clinical Studies 14 2
Pill Appearance
Shape: round Color: yellow Imprint: DT

Identifiers & Packaging

Container Type BOX
Packaging

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest tablets are available in packages of three blister packs (NDC 50419-409-03). The active and inert film-coated tablets are rounded with biconvex faces, one side is embossed with a regular hexagon shape with the letters DD or DJ or DH or DN or DT. Each blister pack (28 film-coated tablets) contains in the following order: • 2 round biconvex dark yellow film-coated tablets with embossed “DD” in a regular hexagon on one side each containing 3 mg estradiol valerate • 5 round biconvex medium red film-coated tablets with embossed “DJ” in a regular hexagon on one side each containing 2 mg estradiol valerate and 2 mg dienogest • 17 round biconvex light yellow film-coated tablets with embossed “DH” in a regular hexagon on one side each containing 2 mg estradiol valerate and 3 mg dienogest • 2 round biconvex dark red film-coated tablets with embossed “DN” in a regular hexagon on one side each containing 1 mg estradiol valerate • 2 white round biconvex white film-coated tablets with embossed “DT” in a regular hexagon on one side (inert) 16.2 Storage Store at 25º C (77º F); excursions permitted to 15–30 o C (59–86 o F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature] .; PACKAGE/LABEL PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest NDC 0781-4110-52 1 Unit Rx only This product (like all oral contraceptives) is intended to prevent pregnancy. It does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases. Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest Tablets estradiol valerate 3 mg, 1 mg tablets estradiol valerate/dienogest 2 mg/2 mg, 2mg/3 mg tablets 28 tablets oral Single carton

Package Descriptions
  • 16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest tablets are available in packages of three blister packs (NDC 50419-409-03). The active and inert film-coated tablets are rounded with biconvex faces, one side is embossed with a regular hexagon shape with the letters DD or DJ or DH or DN or DT. Each blister pack (28 film-coated tablets) contains in the following order: • 2 round biconvex dark yellow film-coated tablets with embossed “DD” in a regular hexagon on one side each containing 3 mg estradiol valerate • 5 round biconvex medium red film-coated tablets with embossed “DJ” in a regular hexagon on one side each containing 2 mg estradiol valerate and 2 mg dienogest • 17 round biconvex light yellow film-coated tablets with embossed “DH” in a regular hexagon on one side each containing 2 mg estradiol valerate and 3 mg dienogest • 2 round biconvex dark red film-coated tablets with embossed “DN” in a regular hexagon on one side each containing 1 mg estradiol valerate • 2 white round biconvex white film-coated tablets with embossed “DT” in a regular hexagon on one side (inert) 16.2 Storage Store at 25º C (77º F); excursions permitted to 15–30 o C (59–86 o F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature] .
  • PACKAGE/LABEL PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest NDC 0781-4110-52 1 Unit Rx only This product (like all oral contraceptives) is intended to prevent pregnancy. It does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases. Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest Tablets estradiol valerate 3 mg, 1 mg tablets estradiol valerate/dienogest 2 mg/2 mg, 2mg/3 mg tablets 28 tablets oral Single carton

Overview

Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest tablets provide an oral contraceptive regimen consisting of 26 active film-coated tablets that contain the active ingredients specified for each tablet below, followed by two inert film-coated tablets: • 2 dark yellow tablets each containing 3 mg estradiol valerate • 5 medium red tablets each containing 2 mg estradiol valerate and 2 mg dienogest • 17 light yellow tablets each containing 2 mg estradiol valerate and 3 mg dienogest • 2 dark red tablets each containing 1 mg estradiol valerate • 2 white tablets (inert) Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest also contains the excipients lactose monohydrate, maize starch, maize starch pre-gelatinized, povidone 25, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol 6000, talc, titanium dioxide, and ferric oxide pigment, yellow, or ferric oxide pigment, red. The empirical formula of estradiol valerate is C 23 H 32 O 3 and the chemical structure is: Estradiol Valerate Estradiol Valerate The chemical name of estradiol valerate is Estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17-diol(17ß)-,17-pentanoate. The empirical formula of dienogest is C 20 H 25 NO 2 and the chemical structure is: Dienogest Dienogest The chemical name of dienogest is (17α)-17-Hydroxy-3-oxo-19-norpregna-4,9-diene-21-nitrile. EV Chem Struc Dien Chem Struc

Indications & Usage

• Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest is an estrogen/progestin COC indicated for use by women to prevent pregnancy. ( 1 ) • Treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in women without organic pathology who choose to use an oral contraceptive as their method of contraception. ( 1.2 ) • The efficacy of Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest in women with a body mass index (BMI) of >30 kg/m 2 has not been evaluated. ( 1 , 8.8 ) 1.1 Oral Contraception Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest is indicated for use by women to prevent pregnancy. The efficacy of Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest in women with a body mass index (BMI) of > 30 kg/m 2 has not been evaluated. 1.2 Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest is also indicated for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in women without organic pathology who choose to use an oral contraceptive as their method of contraception [see Clinical Studies ( 14.2 )].

Dosage & Administration

• Take one tablet daily by mouth at the same time every day. ( 2.1 ) • Tablets must be taken in the order directed on the blister pack. ( 2.1 ) • Do not skip or delay intake by more than 12 hours. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 How to Take Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest must be taken exactly as directed. Take one tablet by mouth at the same time every day. Tablets must be taken in the order directed on the blister pack. Tablets should not be skipped or intake delayed by more than 12 hours. For patient instructions for missed pills, see FDA-Approved Patient Labeling. 2.2 How to Start Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest Instruct the patient to begin taking Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest on Day 1 of her menstrual cycle (that is, the first day of her menstrual bleeding). See FDA-Approved Patient Labeling . Instruct the patient to use a non-hormonal contraceptive as back-up during the first 9 days. For postpartum women who do not breastfeed or after a second trimester abortion, start Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest no earlier than 4 weeks postpartum due to the increased risk of thromboembolism. If the patient starts on Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest postpartum and has not yet had a period, evaluate for possible pregnancy, and instruct her to use an additional method of contraception until she has taken Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest for 9 consecutive days. The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of medication should also be considered. If the patient is switching from a combination hormonal method such as a: • Another pill • Vaginal ring • Patch • Instruct her to take the first dark yellow pill on the first day of her withdrawal bleed. She should not continue taking the pills from her previous birth control pack. If she does not have a withdrawal bleed, rule out pregnancy before starting Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest. • If she previously used a vaginal ring or transdermal patch, she should start using Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest on the day the ring or patch is removed. • Instruct the patient to use a non-hormonal back-up method such as a condom or spermicide for the first 9 days. If the patient is switching from a progestin-only method such as a: • Progestin-only pill • Implant • Intrauterine system • Injection • Instruct her to take the first dark yellow pill on the day she would have taken her next progestin-only pill or on the day of removal of her implant or intrauterine system or on the day when she would have had her next injection. • Instruct the patient to use a non-hormonal back-up method such as a condom or spermicide for the first 9 days. 2.3 Advice in Case of Gastrointestinal Disturbances In case of severe vomiting or diarrhea, absorption may not be complete and additional contraceptive measures should be taken. If vomiting or diarrhea occurs within 3-4 hours after taking a colored tablet, this can be regarded as a missed tablet.

Warnings & Precautions
• Vascular risks : Stop Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest if a thrombotic event occurs. Stop Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest at least 4 weeks before and through 2 weeks after major surgery. Start Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest no earlier than 4 weeks after delivery, in women who are not breastfeeding. ( 5.1 ) • Liver disease : Discontinue Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest if jaundice occurs. ( 5.3 ) • High blood pressure : Do not prescribe Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest for women with uncontrolled hypertension or hypertension with vascular disease. ( 5.4 ) • Carbohydrate and lipid metabolic effects : Monitor prediabetic and diabetic women taking Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest. Consider an alternate contraceptive method for women with uncontrolled dyslipidemia. ( 5.6 ) • Headache : Evaluate significant change in headaches and discontinue Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest if indicated. ( 5.7 ) • Uterine bleeding : Evaluate irregular bleeding or amenorrhea. ( 5.8 ) • CYP3A4 induction : Women taking strong CYP3A4 inducers (for example, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin, and St. John’s wort) should not choose Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest as their oral contraceptive due to the possibility of decreased contraceptive efficacy. ( 5.13 , 7.1 ) 5.1 Thromboembolic Disorders and Other Vascular Problems Stop Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest if an arterial or venous thrombotic event (VTE) occurs. The use of COCs increases the risk of venous thromboembolism. However, pregnancy increases the risk of venous thromboembolism as much or more than the use of COCs. The risk of VTE in women using COCs has been estimated to be 3 to 9 per 10,000 woman-years. The risk of VTE is highest during the first year of use. Data from a large, prospective cohort safety study of various COCs suggest that this increased risk, as compared to that in non-COC users, is greatest during the first 6 months of COC use. Data from this safety study indicate that the greatest risk of VTE is present after initially starting a COC or restarting (following a 4 week or greater pill-free interval) the same or a different COC. Use of COCs also increases the risk of arterial thromboses such as strokes and myocardial infarctions, especially in women with other risk factors for these events. The risk of thromboembolic disease due to oral contraceptives gradually disappears after COC use is discontinued. If feasible, stop Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest at least 4 weeks before and through 2 weeks after major surgery or other surgeries known to have an elevated risk of thromboembolism. Start Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest no earlier than 4 weeks after delivery, in women who are not breastfeeding. The risk of postpartum thromboembolism decreases after the third postpartum week, whereas the risk of ovulation increases after the third postpartum week. COCs have been shown to increase both the relative and attributable risks of cerebrovascular events (thrombotic and hemorrhagic strokes), although, in general, the risk is greatest among older (>35 years of age), hypertensive women who also smoke. COCs also increase the risk for stroke in women with other underlying risk factors. Oral contraceptives must be used with caution in women with cardiovascular disease risk factors. Stop Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest if there is unexplained loss of vision, proptosis, diplopia, papilledema, or retinal vascular lesions. Evaluate for retinal vein thrombosis immediately. [See Adverse Reactions ( 6 ).] 5.2 Carcinoma of the Breasts and Reproductive Organs Women who currently have or have had breast cancer should not use Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest because breast cancer is a hormonally-sensitive tumor. There is substantial evidence that COCs do not increase the incidence of breast cancer. Although some past studies have suggested that COCs might increase the incidence of breast cancer, more recent studies have not confirmed such findings. Some studies suggest that COCs are associated with an increase in the risk of cervical cancer or intraepithelial neoplasia. However, there is controversy about the extent to which these findings may be due to differences in sexual behavior and other factors. Endometrial biopsies performed in a subset of subjects in a Phase 3 Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest clinical trial did not reveal any unexpected or concerning findings for subjects taking COCs. [See Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ).] 5.3 Liver Disease Discontinue Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest if jaundice develops. Steroid hormones may be poorly metabolized in patients with impaired liver function. Acute or chronic disturbances of liver function may necessitate the discontinuation of COC use until markers of liver function return to normal and COC causation has been excluded. Hepatic adenomas are associated with COC use. An estimate of the attributable risk is 3.3 cases/100,000 COC users. Rupture of hepatic adenomas may cause death through intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Studies have shown an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in long-term (> 8 years) COC users. However, the attributable risk of liver cancers in COC users is less than one case per million users. Oral contraceptive-related cholestasis may occur in women with a history of pregnancy-related cholestasis. Women with a history of COC-related cholestasis may have the condition recur with subsequent COC use. 5.4 High Blood Pressure For women with well-controlled hypertension, monitor blood pressure and stop Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest if blood pressure rises significantly. Women with uncontrolled hypertension or hypertension with vascular disease should not use COCs. An increase in blood pressure has been reported in women taking COCs, and this increase is more likely in older women and with extended duration of use. The incidence of hypertension increases with increasing concentration of progestin. 5.5 Gallbladder Disease Studies suggest a small increased relative risk of developing gallbladder disease among COC users. 5.6 Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolic Effects Carefully monitor prediabetic and diabetic women who are taking Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest. COCs may decrease glucose tolerance in a dose-related fashion. Consider alternative contraception for women with uncontrolled dyslipidemia. A small proportion of women will have adverse lipid changes while on COCs. Women with hypertriglyceridemia, or a family history thereof, may be at an increased risk of pancreatitis when using COCs. 5.7 Headache If a woman taking Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest develops new headaches that are recurrent, persistent, or severe, evaluate the cause and discontinue Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest if indicated. An increase in frequency or severity of migraine during COC use (which may be prodromal of a cerebrovascular event) may be a reason for immediate discontinuation of the COC. 5.8 Bleeding Irregularities Breakthrough bleeding and spotting sometimes occur in patients on COCs, especially during the first three months of use. If bleeding persists or occurs after previously regular cycles, check for causes such as pregnancy or malignancy. If pathology and pregnancy are excluded, bleeding irregularities may resolve over time or with a change to a different COC. Women who are not pregnant and use Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest, may experience amenorrhea. Based on patient diaries, amenorrhea occurs in approximately 16% of cycles in women using Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest. Pregnancy should be ruled out in the event of amenorrhea occurring in two or more consecutive cycles. Some women may encounter amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea after stopping COCs, especially when such a condition was pre-existent. Based on patient diaries from three clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest for contraception, 10-23% of women experienced intracyclic bleeding per cycle. 5.9 COC Use Before or During Early Pregnancy Extensive epidemiological studies have revealed no increased risk of birth defects in women who have used oral contraceptives prior to pregnancy. Studies also do not suggest a teratogenic effect, particularly in so far as cardiac anomalies and limb-reduction defects are concerned, when taken inadvertently during early pregnancy. Oral contraceptive use should be discontinued if pregnancy is confirmed. The administration of oral contraceptives to induce withdrawal bleeding should not be used as a test for pregnancy [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] . 5.10 Depression Women with a history of depression should be carefully observed and Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest discontinued if depression recurs to a serious degree . 5.11 Interference with Laboratory Tests The use of COCs may change the results of some laboratory tests, such as coagulation factors, lipids, glucose tolerance, and binding proteins. Women on thyroid hormone replacement therapy may need increased doses of thyroid hormone because serum concentrations of thyroid-binding globulin increase with use of COCs [see Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )] . 5.12 Monitoring A woman who is taking COCs should have a yearly visit with her healthcare provider for a blood pressure check and for other indicated healthcare. 5.13 Drug Interactions Women who take medications that are strong cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers (for example, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin, and St. John’s wort) should not choose Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest as their oral contraceptive while using these inducers and for at least 28 days after discontinuation of these inducers due to the possibility of decreased contraceptive efficacy. [See Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ).] 5.14 Other Conditions In women with hereditary angioedema, exogenous estrogens may induce or exacerbate symptoms of angioedema. Chloasma may occasionally occur, especially in women with a history of chloasma gravidarum. Women with a tendency to chloasma should avoid exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation while taking COCs.
Boxed Warning
CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptives (COC) use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. For this reason, COCs should not be used by women who are over 35 years of age and smoke. [See Contraindications ( 4 ).] WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. • Women over 35 years old who smoke should not use Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest . ( 4 ) • Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive (COC) use. ( 4 )
Contraindications

Do not prescribe Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest to women who are known to have the following: • A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases. Examples include women who are known to: • Smoke, if over age 35 [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, now or in the past [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have cerebrovascular disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have coronary artery disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have thrombogenic valvular or thrombogenic rhythm diseases of the heart (for example, subacute bacterial endocarditis with valvular disease, or atrial fibrillation) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have inherited or acquired hypercoagulopathies [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have uncontrolled hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Have diabetes mellitus with vascular disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] • Have headaches with focal neurological symptoms or have migraine headaches with or without aura if over age 35 [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] • Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] • Breast cancer or other estrogen- or progestin-sensitive cancer, now or in the past [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Liver tumors, benign or malignant, or liver disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.7 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . • Pregnancy, because there is no reason to use COCs during pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] . • A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases ( 4 ) • Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding ( 4 ) • Breast cancer or other estrogen- or progestin-sensitive cancer ( 4 ) • Liver tumors or liver disease ( 4 ) • Pregnancy ( 4 )

Adverse Reactions

The following serious adverse reactions with the use of COCs are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: • Serious cardiovascular events and stroke [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Vascular events [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Liver disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Adverse reactions commonly reported by COC users are: • Irregular uterine bleeding • Nausea • Breast tenderness • Headache The most common adverse reactions (≥ 2%) in clinical trials for Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest are headaches, irregular uterine bleeding,headache (including migraines) 13%, breast tenderness,pain 7%, menstrual disorders 7%, nausea/ or vomiting, 6%, acne 4%, mood changes (3%) and increased weight. 3%. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-888-842-2937 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. Contraception and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Studies A total of 2,131 women, 18 to 54 years of age, who took at least one dose of Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest were enrolled in four clinical phase 3 trials. A total of 1,867 subjects were included in two clinical phase 3 studies with a treatment duration up to 28 cycles with Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest as an oral contraceptive and 264 subjects in the two phase 3 clinical trials with a treatment duration of 7 cycles evaluating Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest in the treatment of heavy, prolonged, and/or frequent menstrual bleeding in women without organic pathology. [See Clinical Studies ( 14.1 , 14.2 .)] Adverse Reactions Leading to Study Discontinuation : 11.4% of the women discontinued from the clinical trials due to an adverse reaction; the most frequent adverse reactions leading to discontinuation were menstrual disorder (metrorrhagia, menorrhagia, menstruation irregular, genital hemorrhage, vaginal hemorrhage, dysfunctional uterine bleeding) (2.3%); mood changes (depression, mood swings, mood altered, depressed mood, dysthymic disorder, crying) (1.2%); acne (1.1%), headache (including migraines) (1.1%), and weight increased (0.7 %). Common Adverse Reactions (≥ 2%): headache (including migraines) (12.7%), breast pain, discomfort or tenderness (7.0%), menstrual disorders (metrorrhagia, menstruation irregular, menorrhagia, vaginal hemorrhage, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, genital hemorrhage, abnormal withdrawal bleeding, uterine hemorrhage) (6.9%), nausea or vomiting (6.0%), acne (3.9%), mood changes (depression, mood swings, depressed mood, mood altered, affect lability, dysthymic disorder, crying) (3.0%) and increased weight (2.9%). Serious Adverse Reactions: myocardial infarction (2 cases), ruptured ovarian cyst (2 cases), deep vein thrombosis, focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver, uterine leiomyoma, acute cholecystitis, and chronic acalculous cholecystitis. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest. 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. Vascular disorders: Venous and arterial thromboembolic events (including pulmonary emboli, deep vein thrombosis, cerebral thrombosis, myocardial infarction and stroke), hypertension Hepatobiliary disorders: Gallbladder disease, hepatitis Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Fluid retention, hypertriglyceridemia Nervous system disorders: Dizziness Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Chloasma, angioedema, erythema nodosum, erythema multiforme Gastrointestinal disorders: Gastrointestinal symptoms (for example, abdominal pain) Infections and infestations: Vulvovaginal candidiasis

Drug Interactions

Consult the labeling of all concurrently-used drugs to obtain further information about interactions with hormonal contraceptives or the potential for enzyme alterations . Drugs or herbal products that induce certain enzymes (for example, CYP3A4) may decrease the effectiveness of COCs or increase breakthrough bleeding. Counsel patients to use a back-up or alternative method of contraception when enzyme inducers are used with COCs. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on Combined Oral Contraceptives Interactions between oral contraceptives and other drugs may lead to breakthrough bleeding and/or contraceptive failure. The following interactions have been reported in the literature for COCs in general or were studied in clinical trials with Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest. CYP3A4 Inducers : Drugs or herbal products that induce certain enzymes, including CYP3A4, may decrease the effectiveness of COCs or increase breakthrough bleeding. Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives include barbiturates, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, and topiramate. Counsel women to use an alternative method of contraception or a back-up method when moderate or weak enzyme inducers are used with COCs, and to continue back-up contraception for 28 days after discontinuing the enzyme inducer to ensure contraceptive reliability. Dienogest is a substrate of CYP3A4. Women who take medications that are strong CYP3A4 inducers (for example, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin, and St. John’s wort) should not choose Estradiol Valerate and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest as their oral contraceptive while using these inducers and for at least 28 days after discontinuation of these inducers due to the possibility of decreased contraceptive efficacy. The effect of the CYP3A4 inducer rifampicin was studied in healthy postmenopausal women. Co-administration of rifampicin with estradiol valerate/dienogest tablets led to a 52 % and 83% decrease in the mean C max and AUC (0–24hr), respectively, for dienogest and a 25% and 44% decrease in C max and AUC (0–24hr), respectively, for estradiol at steady state. Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors : Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole increased hormone serum concentrations. In a study investigating the effect of ketoconazole on dienogest and estradiol pharmacokinetics, co-administration with the strong CYP3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole resulted in a 186% increase of AUC (0–24hr) at steady state for dienogest and a 57% increase for estradiol. There was also a 94% and 65% increase of C max at steady state for dienogest and estradiol when co-administered with ketoconazole. Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors : The AUC (0–24hr) of dienogest and estradiol at steady state were increased by 62% and 33%, respectively, when co-administered with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor, erythromycin. There was also a 33% and 51% increase of Cmax at steady state for dienogest and estradiol, respectively, when co-administered with erythromycin. Other known CYP3A4 inhibitors like azole antifungals, cimetidine, verapamil, macrolides, diltiazem, antidepressants, and grapefruit juice may increase plasma concentrations of dienogest. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Protease Inhibitors and Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors : Significant changes (increase and decrease) in plasma concentrations of estrogen and progestin have been noted in some cases of co-administration of HIV/HCV protease inhibitors or with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Antibiotics : There have been reports of pregnancy while taking hormonal contraceptives and antibiotics, but clinical pharmacokinetic studies have not shown consistent effects of antibiotics on plasma concentrations of synthetic steroids. 7.2 Effects of Combined Oral Contraceptives on Other Drugs COCs containing ethinyl estradiol may inhibit the metabolism of other compounds. COCs have been shown to significantly decrease plasma concentrations of lamotrigine, likely due to induction of lamotrigine glucuronidation. This may reduce seizure control; therefore, dosage adjustments of lamotrigine may be necessary. Consult the labeling of the concurrently-used drug to obtain further information about interactions with COCs or the potential for enzyme alterations. In vitro studies with human CYP enzymes did not indicate an inhibitory potential of dienogest at clinically relevant concentrations. Women on thyroid hormone replacement therapy may need increased doses of thyroid hormone because serum concentrations of thyroid-binding globulin increase with use of COCs. 7.3 Interference with Laboratory Tests The use of contraceptive steroids may influence the results of certain laboratory tests, such as coagulation factors, lipids, glucose tolerance, and binding proteins [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )].


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