Thursday, 28 June 2012

Foltrate


Pronunciation: FOE-lik AS-id/SYE-an-oh-koe-BAL-a-min
Generic Name: Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin
Brand Name: Foltrate


Foltrate is used for:

Supplementing the diet to treat or prevent vitamin deficiency. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.


Foltrate is a vitamin combination. It works by increasing the amounts of folic acid and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) in the body.


Do NOT use Foltrate if:


  • you are allergic to any ingredient in Foltrate

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.



Before using Foltrate:


Some medical conditions may interact with Foltrate. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:


  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

  • if you have anemia or a condition known as Leber hereditary optic atrophy

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Foltrate. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:


  • Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Foltrate

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Foltrate may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.


How to use Foltrate:


Use Foltrate as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.


  • Foltrate may be taken with or without food.

  • If you miss a dose of Foltrate, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Foltrate.



Important safety information:


  • Do not take large doses of vitamins (megadoses or megavitamin therapy) while taking Foltrate unless directed to by your doctor.

  • Foltrate should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Foltrate can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Foltrate while you are pregnant. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take Foltrate, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.


Possible side effects of Foltrate:


All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. No COMMON side effects have been reported with Foltrate. Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:



Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).



This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.


See also: Foltrate side effects (in more detail)


If OVERDOSE is suspected:


Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.


Proper storage of Foltrate:

Store Foltrate at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Foltrate out of the reach of children and away from pets.


General information:


  • If you have any questions about Foltrate, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

  • Foltrate is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

  • Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Foltrate. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.



Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Foltrate resources


  • Foltrate Side Effects (in more detail)
  • Foltrate Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Foltrate Drug Interactions
  • Foltrate Support Group
  • 0 Reviews for Foltrate - Add your own review/rating


  • multivitamin Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)

  • Folplex Prescribing Information (FDA)

  • Foltabs 800 Prescribing Information (FDA)

  • Infuvite Pediatric Prescribing Information (FDA)

  • Nephrocaps Prescribing Information (FDA)

  • Nephrocaps

  • Renal Caps Prescribing Information (FDA)

  • Vitamin A Monograph (AHFS DI)



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Monday, 25 June 2012

Nilotinib


Pronunciation: nye-LOE-ti-nib
Generic Name: Nilotinib
Brand Name: Tasigna

Nilotinib may cause serious and sometimes fatal irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation). Sudden deaths have been reported in patients taking Nilotinib. It is thought that serious irregular heartbeat may have contributed to these sudden deaths. Do not take Nilotinib if you have low blood potassium or magnesium levels, or a history of QT prolongation. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart or liver problems. Certain medicines may increase the risk of irregular heartbeat. Tell your doctor about any other medicines or supplements you take. Tell your doctor or seek medical care at once if irregular heartbeat or fainting occurs. Your doctor may change or lower your dose of Nilotinib if you have liver problems.


Lab tests, including blood electrolyte levels, complete blood cell counts, pancreas function, liver function, and electrocardiograms (ECGs), may be performed before and during treatment. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


Take Nilotinib on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.





Nilotinib is used for:

Treating certain types of leukemia (eg, chronic myelogenous leukemia). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.


Nilotinib is a kinase inhibitor. It works by preventing the growth of cancer cells.


Do NOT use Nilotinib if:


  • you are allergic to any ingredient in Nilotinib

  • you have a certain type of irregular heartbeat (QT prolongation, long QT syndrome)

  • you have low blood potassium or magnesium levels

  • you have galactose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose absorption problems, or severe lactose intolerance

  • you are taking an antiarrhythmic (eg, amiodarone, dofetilide, procainamide), arsenic, astemizole, a certain azole antifungal (eg, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole), a barbiturate (eg, phenobarbital), bepridil, carbamazepine, chloroquine, cisapride, citalopram, clozapine, delavirdine, dexamethasone, dolasetron, domperidone, droperidol, halofantrine, haloperidol, a hydantoin (eg, phenytoin), iloperidone, a ketolide (eg, telithromycin), another kinase inhibitor (eg, vandetanib), a macrolide antibiotic (eg, clarithromycin), maprotiline, methadone, nefazodone, ondansetron, paliperidone, pentamidine, a phenothiazine (eg, chlorpromazine), pimozide, a protease inhibitor (eg, atazanavir, boceprevir, ritonavir), quetiapine, a quinolone (eg, moxifloxacin), a rifamycin (eg, rifampin), romidepsin, St. John's wort, tacrolimus, terfenadine, tetrabenazine, toremifene, trazodone, a tricyclic antidepressant (eg, imipramine), or ziprasidone

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.



Before using Nilotinib:


Some medical conditions may interact with Nilotinib. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:


  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

  • if you are lactose intolerant

  • if a member of your family has a history of QT prolongation

  • if you have a history of heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure, irregular or slow heartbeat), a heart attack, liver or kidney problems, pancreas problems (eg, pancreatitis), or abnormal blood electrolyte (eg, phosphate, calcium, sodium) levels

  • if you have bone marrow problems, low white blood cell levels, low blood platelet levels, or anemia

  • if you also have another type of cancer or you have had all of your stomach removed (total gastrectomy)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Nilotinib. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:


  • Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, dofetilide, procainamide), arsenic, astemizole, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole), bepridil, chloroquine, cisapride, citalopram, clozapine, delavirdine, dolasetron, domperidone, droperidol, halofantrine, haloperidol, iloperidone, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), other kinase inhibitors (eg, vandetanib), macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin), maprotiline, methadone, nefazodone, ondansetron, paliperidone, pentamidine, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), pimozide, protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir, boceprevir, ritonavir), quetiapine, quinolones (eg, moxifloxacin), romidepsin, tacrolimus, terfenadine, tetrabenazine, toremifene, trazodone, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, imipramine), or ziprasidone because the risk of severe and possibly fatal irregular heartbeat may be increased

  • Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, dexamethasone, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), nevirapine, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (eg, omeprazole), rifamycins (eg, rifampin), or St. John's wort because they may decrease Nilotinib's effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Nilotinib may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.


How to use Nilotinib:


Use Nilotinib as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.


  • Nilotinib comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Nilotinib refilled.

  • Take Nilotinib by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.

  • Swallow Nilotinib whole with a full glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, you may open it and sprinkle the contents over a teaspoon of applesauce. Mix the medicine with the applesauce and swallow the mixture right away (within 15 minutes), followed by a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine before swallowing. Do not store the mixture for future use.

  • Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you use Nilotinib.

  • Take Nilotinib on a regular schedule about 12 hours apart, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

  • If you take an H2 receptor antagonist (eg, ranitidine) or an antacid, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to take these medicines together.

  • Check with your doctor to see if you should drink extra fluids while you are taking Nilotinib.

  • Continue to take Nilotinib even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

  • If you miss a dose of Nilotinib, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Nilotinib.



Important safety information:


  • Nilotinib may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Nilotinib with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

  • Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or stop taking Nilotinib without checking with your doctor.

  • Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Nilotinib before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

  • Nilotinib may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.

  • Nilotinib may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.

  • A serious and possibly fatal condition called tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) has been reported in certain patients taking Nilotinib. Contact your doctor right away if you develop symptoms such as fast or irregular heartbeat; fainting; decreased urination; muscle weakness or cramps; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite; or sluggishness. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

  • Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Nilotinib. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.

  • If vomiting or diarrhea occurs, you will need to take care not to become dehydrated. Contact your doctor for instructions.

  • Women who may become pregnant must use an effective form of birth control while taking Nilotinib. If you have questions about effective birth control, talk with your doctor.

  • Lab tests, including ECG, liver function, pancreas function, blood cholesterol, blood electrolyte levels, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Nilotinib. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

  • Nilotinib should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Nilotinib may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Nilotinib while you are pregnant. It is not known if Nilotinib is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Nilotinib.


Possible side effects of Nilotinib:


All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:



Back pain; bone, joint, or muscle aches; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; dry skin; flushing; gas; hair loss; headache; loss of appetite; mild itching; mild muscle cramps or spasms; mild stomach pain or upset; nausea; night sweats; runny or stuffy nose; sneezing; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness.



Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black or bloody stools; blood in the urine; burning, numbness, or tingling; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever or chills; light-headedness; mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, depression); numbness or weakness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; pale stools; seizure; severe or persistent cough or sore throat; severe or persistent dizziness, headache, tiredness, or weakness; severe or persistent muscle pain, weakness, or cramps; severe or persistent stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting; shortness of breath; slurred speech; sudden, unusual weight gain; swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or around the eyes; unusual bruising or bleeding; vision changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the eyes or skin.



This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.


See also: Nilotinib side effects (in more detail)


If OVERDOSE is suspected:


Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fever, chills, or sore throat; severe drowsiness or vomiting.


Proper storage of Nilotinib:

Store Nilotinib at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Nilotinib out of the reach of children and away from pets.


General information:


  • If you have any questions about Nilotinib, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

  • Nilotinib is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

  • Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Nilotinib. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.



Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Nilotinib resources


  • Nilotinib Side Effects (in more detail)
  • Nilotinib Dosage
  • Nilotinib Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Nilotinib Drug Interactions
  • Nilotinib Support Group
  • 7 Reviews for Nilotinib - Add your own review/rating


  • Nilotinib Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

  • Nilotinib Monograph (AHFS DI)

  • nilotinib Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

  • Tasigna Prescribing Information (FDA)

  • Tasigna Consumer Overview



Compare Nilotinib with other medications


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Saturday, 23 June 2012

Utinor Tablets 400mg





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



UTINOR® 400 mg Tablets


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



'Utinor' contains 400 mg of the active ingredient, norfloxacin.



For excipients, see 6.1



3. Pharmaceutical Form



'Utinor' is supplied as off-white oval tablets marked 'MSD 705'.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



Norfloxacin is a broad-spectrum, quinolone bactericidal agent indicated for the treatment of:



Upper and lower, complicated and uncomplicated, acute and chronic urinary tract infections. These infections include cystitis, pyelitis, chronic prostatitis and those urinary infections associated with urological surgery, neurogenic bladder or nephrolithiasis caused by bacteria susceptible to 'Utinor'.



Consideration should be given to official local guidance (e.g. national recommendations) on the appropriate use of bacterial agents.



Susceptibility of the causative organism to the treatment should be tested (if possible), although therapy may be initiated before the results are available.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



'Utinor' should be taken with a glass of water at least one hour before or two hours after a meal or milk ingestion. Multivitamins, products containing iron or zinc, antacids containing magnesium and aluminium, sucralfate or products containing didanosine should not be taken within 2 hours of administration of norfloxacin.



Susceptibility of the causative organism to 'Utinor' should be tested. However, therapy may be initiated before obtaining the results of these tests.
















Diagnosis




Dosage




Therapy duration




Uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections (e.g. cystitis)*




400 mg twice daily




3 days




Urinary tract infections




400 mg twice daily




7-10 days




Chronic relapsing urinary tract infection**




400 mg twice daily




Up to 12 weeks



* Trials in over 600 patients have demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of 'Utinor' in the three



** If adequate suppression is obtained within the first four weeks of therapy, the dose of 'Utinor' may be reduced to 400 mg daily.



Patients with renal impairment



'Utinor' is suitable for the treatment of patients with renal impairment. In studies involving patients whose creatinine clearance was less than 30 ml/min/1.73m2, but who did not require haemodialysis, the plasma half2, compared to patients with creatinine clearance of 102. Hence, for these patients, the recommended dose is one 400 mg tablet once daily. At this dosage, concentrations in appropriate body tissues or fluids exceed the MICs for most pathogens sensitive to norfloxacin.



Use in the elderly



Pharmacokinetic studies have shown no appreciable changes when compared to younger patients, apart from a slight prolongation of half



4.3 Contraindications



Hypersensitivity to any component of this product or any chemically related quinolone antibacterials.



'Utinor' is contra



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



As with other drugs in this class, 'Utinor' should not be used in patients with a history of convulsions or known factors that predispose to seizures unless there is an overwhelming clinical need. Convulsions have been reported rarely with norfloxacin.



Tendinitis and/or tendon rupture, particularly affecting the Achilles tendon, may occur with quinolone antibiotics. Such reactions have been observed, particularly in older patients and in those treated concurrently with corticosteroids. At the first sign of pain or inflammation, patients should discontinue 'Utinor' and rest the affected limbs.



Photosensitivity reactions have been observed in patients who are exposed to excessive sunlight while receiving some members of this drug class. Excessive sunlight should be avoided. Therapy should be discontinued if photosensitivity occurs.



Quinolones, including norfloxacin, may exacerbate the signs of myasthenia gravis and lead to life threatening weakness of the respiratory muscles. Caution should be exercised when using quinolones, including 'Utinor', in patients with myasthenia gravis (see section 4.8 'Undesirable effects').



Rarely, haemolytic reactions have been reported in patients with latent or actual defects in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity who take quinolone antibacterial agents, including norfloxacin (see 4.8 'Undesirable effects').



Very rarely, some quinolones have been associated with prolongation of the QTc interval on the electrocardiogram and infrequent cases of arrhythmia (including extremely rare cases of torsade de pointes) have been observed. As with other agents associated with prolongation of the QTc interval, caution should be exercised when using 'Utinor' in patients with hypokalaemia, significant bradycardia or undergoing concurrent treatment with class Ia or class III anti-arrhythmics.



Some quinolones including 'Utinor' should be used with caution in patients using cisapride, erythromycin, antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants or who have any personal or family history of QTc prolongation.



Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents, including 'Utinor', and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Therefore it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhoea subsequent to the administration of antibacterial agents. Studies indicte that a toxin produced by Clostridium difficile is a primary cause of "antibiotic-associated colitis".



If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C.difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C.difficile, and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.



Use in children



As with other quinolones, 'Utinor' has been shown to cause arthropathy in immature animals. The safety of 'Utinor' in children has not been adequately explored and therefore the use of 'Utinor' in prepubertal children or growing adolescents is contra



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



Co



As with other organic acid antibacterials, antagonism has been demonstrated in vitro between 'Utinor' and nitrofurantoin.



Quinolones, including norfloxacin, have been shown in vitro to inhibit CYP1A2. Concomitant use with drugs metabolised by CYP1A2 (e.g. caffeine clozapine, ropinirole, theophylline, tizadine) may result in increased levels of these drugs, with the potential risk of increased toxicity. Patients taking any concomitant drugs metabolised by CYP1A2 should be carefully monitored.



Specifically in relation to this interaction:



Monitoring of theophylline plasma levels should be considered and dosage of theophylline adjusted as required.



The dose of clozapine or ropinirole may need to be adjusted in patients already taking these medications if norfloxacin is introduced or withdrawn.



Co-administration of tizanidine and norfloxacin is not recommended.



Elevated serum levels of ciclosporin have been reported with concomitant use of norfloxacin. Ciclosporin serum levels should be monitored and appropriate ciclosporin dosage adjustments made when these drugs are used concomitantly.



Quinolones, including norfloxacin, may enhance the effects of the anticoagulant warfarin, or its derivatives, by displacing significant amounts from serum albumin



The concomitant administration of quinolones including norfloxacin with glibenclamide (a sulphonylurea agent) has, on occasions, resulted in severe hypoglycaemia. Therefore monitoring of blood glucose is recommended when these agents are co-administered.



Multivitamins, products containing iron or zinc, antacids or sucralfate should not be administered concomitantly with, or within two hours of, the administration of norfloxacin because they may interfere with absorption, resulting in lower serum and urine levels of norfloxacin.



Products containing didanosine should not be administered concomitantly with, or within 2 hours of the administration of norfloxacin, because the products may interfere with absorption resulting in lower serum and urine levels of norfloxacin.



The concomitant administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with a quinolone including norfloxacin, may increase the risk of CNS stimulation and convulsive seizures. Therefore 'Utinor' should be used with caution in individuals receiving NSAIDS concomitantly.



Animal data have shown that quinolones in combination with fenbufen can lead to convulsions. Therefore, concomitant administration of quinolones and fenbufen should be avoided.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



There is no evidence from animal studies that norfloxacin has any teratogenic or mutagenic effects. Embryotoxicity secondary to maternotoxicity was observed after large doses in rabbits. Embryonic losses were observed in cynomolgus monkeys without any teratogenic effects. The relevance of these findings for humans is uncertain.



The safe use of 'Utinor' in pregnant women has not been established; however, as with other quinolones, norfloxacin has been shown to cause arthropathy in immature animals and therefore its use during pregnancy is not recommended.



It is not known whether 'Utinor' is excreted in human milk; administration to breast



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



Norfloxacin may cause dizziness and lightheadedness and, therefore, patients should know how they react to norfloxacin before they drive or operate machinery or engage in activities requiring mental alertness and coordination.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



The overall incidence of drug



The most common side effects have been gastro



Less commonly, other side effects such as anorexia, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety/nervousness, irritability, euphoria, disorientation, hallucination, tinnitus, and epiphora have been reported.



Abnormal laboratory side effects observed during clinical trials included:



leucopenia, elevation of ALAT (SGPT), ASAT (SGOT), eosinophilia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia.



With more widespread use the following additional side effects have been reported:



Hypersensitivity reactions



Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, dyspnoea, vasculitis, urticaria, arthritis, myalgia, arthralgia and interstitial nephritis.



Skin



Photosensitivity, Stevens



Gastro



Pseudomembranous colitis, pancreatitis (rare), hepatitis, jaundice including cholestatic jaundice and elevated liver-function tests.



Musculoskeletal



Tendinitis, tendon rupture, exacerbation of myasthenia gravis, elevated creatinine kinase (CK).



Nervous system/psychiatric



Polyneuropathy including Guillaine-Barré syndrome, confusion, paraesthesia, hypoaesthesia, psychic disturbances including psychotic reactions, convulsions, tremors, myoclonus.



Haematological



Agranulocytosis, haemolytic anaemia, sometimes associated with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.



Genito-urinary



Vaginal candidiasis.



Renal function



Renal failure.



Special senses



Dysgeusia, visual disturbances, hearing loss.



Cardiovascular



Very rarely: prolonged QTc interval and ventricular arrhythmia (including torsade de pointes) may occur with some quinolones including norfloxacin.



4.9 Overdose



No information is available at present.



In the event of recent acute overdosage, the stomach should be emptied by induced vomiting or by gastric lavage and the patient carefully observed and given symptomatic and supportive treatment. Adequate hydration must be maintained.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Pharmacotherapeutic group: Fluoroquinolone



ATC code



JO1MA06



Mode of Action



Norfloxacin inhibits bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and is bactericidal. At the molecular level, three specific events were attributed to norfloxacin in Escherichia coli cells:



(1) Inhibition of the ATP



(2) Inhibition of the relaxation of supercoiled DNA



(3) Promotion of double



'Utinor' has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against Gram



PK/PD relationship



Efficacy is mainly dependent upon the Cmax (maximum serum concentration): MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) ratio of the pathogen and the AUC ( area under the curve): MIK ratio of the pathogen, respectively.



Mechanism/s of Resistance



The major mechanism of resistance to the quinolones, including norfloxacin, is through mutations in the genes that encode for DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, the targets of quinolone action. Additional mechanisms of resistance include mutations in the cell membrane proteins, which alter membrane permeability and the development of efflux pumps.



There is no cross-resistance between norfloxacin and structurally unrelated antibacterial agents such as penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, macrolides, aminocyclitols and sulphonamides, 2, 4 diaminopyrimidines, or combinations thereof (e.g. co-trimoxazole).



Break points



EUCAST clinical MIC breakpoints to separate susceptible (S) pathogens from resistant (R) pathogens are:



Entero-bacteriaceae S<0.5mcg/ml, R>1mcg/ml



For Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other species MIC breakpoint not defined.



Susceptibility



The prevalence of resistance may vary geographically and with time for selected species and local information on resistance is desirable, particularly when treating severe infections. The information below gives only approximate guidance on the probability as to whether the micro-organism will be susceptible to norfloxacin or not.






























Commonly susceptible species:




Gram-negative aerobes:




Aeromonas hydrophilia




Proteus vulgaris




Providencia rettgeri




Salmonella spp.




Shigella spp.




Species for which acquired resistance may be a problem:




Gram-positive aerobes:




Enterococcus faecalis




Staphylococcus aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains)




Staphylococcus epidermidis




Staphylococcus saprophyticus




Streptococcus agalactiae




Gram-negative aerobes:




Citrobacter freundii




Enterobacter aerogenes




Enterobacter cloacae




Escherichia coli




Klebsiella oxytoca




Klebsiella pneumoniae




Morganella morganii




Proteus mirabilis




Providencia stuartii




Pseudomonas aeruginosa




Serratia marcescens



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



Norfloxacin is rapidly absorbed following oral administration. In healthy volunteers, at least 30



The following are mean concentrations of norfloxacin in various fluids and tissues measured 1 to 4 hours post




















Renal parenchyma




7.3 mcg/g




Prostate




2.5 mcg/g




Seminal fluid




2.7 mcg/ml




Testicle




1.6 mcg/g




Uterus/cervix




3.0 mcg/g




Vagina




4.3 mcg/g




Fallopian tube




1.9 mcg/g




Bile




6.9 mcg/ml (after 2 x 200 mg doses).



Norfloxacin is eliminated through metabolism, biliary excretion and renal excretion. After a single 400 mg dose of norfloxacin, mean antimicrobial activities equivalent to 278, 773 and 82 mcg of norfloxacin/g of faeces were obtained at 12, 24 and 48 hours, respectively.



Renal excretion occurs by both glomerular filtration and net tubular secretion, as evidenced by the high rate of renal clearance (approximately 275 ml/min). After a single 400 mg dose, urinary concentrations reach a value of 200 or more mcg/ml in healthy volunteers and remain above 30 mcg/ml for at least 12 hours. In the first 24 hours, 33



Norfloxacin exists in the urine as norfloxacin and six active metabolites of lesser antimicrobial potency. The parent compound accounts for over 70% of total excretion. The bactericidal potency of norfloxacin is not affected by the pH of urine.



Protein binding is less than 15%.



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



Norfloxacin, when administered to 3- to 5-month-old dogs at doses four or more times the usual human dose, produced blister formation and eventual erosion of the articular cartilage of the weight-bearing joints. Similar changes have been produced by other structurally related drugs. Dogs six months or older were not susceptible to these changes.



Teratology studies in mice and rats and fertility studies in mice at oral doses of 30 to 50 times the usual dose for humans did not reveal teratogenic or foetal toxic effects. Embryotoxicity was observed in rabbits at doses of 100 mg/kg/day. This was secondary to maternal toxicity and it is a non-specific antimicrobial effect in the rabbit due to an unusual sensitivity to antibiotic-induced changes in the gut microflora.



Although the drug was not teratogenic in cynomolgus monkeys at several times the therapeutic human dosage, an increased percentage of embryonic losses was observed.



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



'Utinor' contains the following inactive ingredients:



Croscarmellose sodium USNF



Magnesium stearate Ph Eur



Microcrystalline cellulose Ph Eur



Hydroxypropylcellulose Ph Eur



Hypromellose Ph Eur



Titanium dioxide Ph Eur



Carnauba wax Ph Eur



6.2 Incompatibilities



None



6.3 Shelf Life



36 months shelf-life for blister packs.



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



Store below 25°C, in a dry place protected from light.



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



'Utinor' is available as blister packs of 6, 7 and 14 tablets.



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



None.



7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited



Hertford Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 9BU, UK



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



PL 0025/0254



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



Authorisation first granted 3 August 1990. Licence last renewed 4 December 2001.



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



October 2009



® denotes registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA.



© Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited 2009. All rights reserved.



SPC.NRX.09.UK.3160




Thursday, 21 June 2012

Progynova TS 50 micrograms / 24 hours Transdermal Patch





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



Progynova® TS 50 micrograms/24 hours Transdermal Patch


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Each 12.5 cm2 patch contains 3.8 mg estradiol (formed from 3.9 mg estradiol hemihydrate), releasing a nominal 50 micrograms of estradiol per 24 hours.



For excipients, see 6.1.



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Transdermal patch



Oval transdermal patch with a translucent homogenous matrix on a transparent carrier film.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



• Hormone replacement therapy for oestrogen deficiency symptoms in postmenopausal women more than 1 year postmenopause.



• Prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of future fractures who are intolerant of, or contraindicated for, other medicinal products approved for the prevention of osteoporosis.



(See also Section 4.4)



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



• Posology



Progynova TS 50 is an oestrogen-only patch applied to the skin once weekly.



For initiation and continuation of treatment of postmenopausal symptoms, the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration (see also Section 4.4) should be used. Treatment to control menopausal symptoms should be initiated with the lowest Progynova TS patch dose. If considered necessary, a higher dosed patch should be used. Once treatment is established the lowest effective dose patch necessary for relief of symptoms should be used.



For prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis Progynova TS 50 is recommended. Women receiving Progynova TS 100 for postmenopausal symptoms can continue at this dose.



In women with an intact uterus, a progestogen should be added to Progynova TS 50 for at least 12-14 days each month. Unless there is a previous diagnosis of endometriosis, it is not recommended to add a progestogen in hysterectomised women.



For continuous use: The patches should be applied once weekly on a continuous basis, each used patch being removed after 7 days and a fresh patch applied to a different site.



For cyclical use: The patches may also be prescribed on a cyclical basis. Where this is the preferred option, the patches should be applied weekly for 3 consecutive weeks followed by a 7-day interval, without a patch being applied, before the next course.



• How to start Progynova TS 50



Women who do not take oestrogens or women who change from a continuous combined HRT product may start treatment at any time.



Patients changing from a continuous sequential HRT regimen, should begin the day following completion of the prior regimen.



Patients changing from a cyclic HRT regimen should begin the day after the treatment-free period.



• Missed or lost patch



In the event that a patch falls off before 7 days are up, it may be reapplied. If necessary, a new patch should be applied for the remainder of the 7-day dosing interval.



If the patient forgets to replace a patch, this should be done as soon as possible after she remembers it. The next patch has to be used after the normal 7-day interval.



After several days without replacement of a new patch there is an increased likelihood of breakthrough bleeding and spotting.



• Mode of application



Following removal of the protective liner the adhesive side of Progynova TS patches should be placed on a clean, dry area of the skin of the trunk or buttocks. Progynova TS patches should not be applied to the breasts. The sites of application should be rotated, with an interval of at least one week between applications to a particular site. The area selected should not be oily, damaged, or irritated. The waistline should be avoided since tight clothing may rub the patch off. The patch should be applied immediately after opening the pouch and removing the protective liner. The patch should be pressed firmly in place with the palm of the hand for about 10 seconds, making sure there is good contact, especially around the edges.



The patch should be changed once weekly.



If the patch is applied correctly, the patient can bath or shower as usual. The patch might, however, become detached from the skin in very hot bath water or in the sauna.



Children



Not recommended for children



4.3 Contraindications



• Known, past or suspected breast cancer



• Known or suspected oestrogen dependent malignant tumours, e.g. endometrial cancer



• Undiagnosed genital bleeding



• Untreated endometrial hyperplasia



• Previous idiopathic or current venous thromboembolism (deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism)



• Active or recent arterial thromboembolic disease (e.g. angina, myocardial infarction)



• Acute liver disease, or history of liver disease as long as liver function tests have failed to return to normal



• Porphyria



• Known hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



For 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 HRT, a complete personal and family medical history should be taken. Physical (including pelvic and breasts) 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 mammography, should be carried out in accordance with currently accepted screening practices, modified to the clinical needs of the individual.



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 treatment with Progynova TS 50, in particular:



- Leiomyoma (uterine fibroids) or endometriosis



- A history of, or risk factors for, thromboembolic disorders (see below)



- Risk factors for oestrogen dependent tumours, e.g. 1 st 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



- Hereditary angioedema



Reasons for immediate withdrawal of therapy:



Therapy should be discontinued in case a contra-indication 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



Endometrial hyperplasia



• The risk of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma is increased when oestrogens are administered alone for prolonged periods (see section 4.8). The addition of a progestogen for at least 12 days per cycle in non-hysterectomised women greatly reduces this risk.



• For Progynova TS 100 (100 μg/day) the endometrial safety of added progestogens has not been studied.



• Break-through bleeding and spotting may occur during the first months of treatment. If break-through bleeding or spotting appears after some time on therapy, or continues after treatment has been discontinued, the reason should be investigated, which may include endometrial biopsy to exclude endometrial malignancy.



• Unopposed oestrogen stimulation may lead to premalignant or malignant transformation in the residual foci of endometriosis. Therefore, the addition of progestogens to oestrogen replacement therapy should be considered in women who have undergone hysterectomy because of endometriosis, if they are known to have residual endometriosis.



Breast cancer



• A randomised placebo-controlled trial, the Women's Health Initiative study (WHI), and epidemiological studies, including the Million Women Study (MWS), have reported an increased risk of breast cancer in women taking oestrogens, oestrogen-progestogen combinations or tibolone for HRT for several years (see Section 4.8).



• For all HRT, an excess risk becomes apparent within a few years of use and increases with duration of intake but returns to baseline within a few (at most five) years after stopping treatment.



• In the MWS, the relative risk of breast cancer with conjugated equine oestrogens (CEE) or estradiol (E2) was greater when a progestogen was added, either sequentially or continuously, and regardless of type of progestogen. There was no evidence of a difference in risk between the different routes of administration.



• In the WHI study, the continuous combined conjugated equine oestrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate (CEE + MPA) product used was associated with breast cancers that were slightly larger in size and more frequently had local lymph node metastases compared to placebo.



• HRT, especially oestrogen-progestogen combined treatment, increases the density of mammographic images which may adversely affect the radiological detection of breast cancer.



Venous thromboembolism



• HRT is associated with a higher relative risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), i.e. deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. One randomised controlled trial and epidemiological studies found a two- to threefold higher risk for users compared with non-users. For non-users, it is estimated that the number of cases of VTE that occur over a 5 year period is about 3 per 1000 women aged 50-59 years and 8 per 1000 women aged between 60-69 years. It is estimated that in healthy women who use HRT for 5 years, the number of additional cases of VTE over a 5 year period will be between 2 and 6 (best estimate = 4) per 1000 women aged 50-59 years and between 5 and 15 (best estimate = 9) per 1000 women aged 60-69 years. The occurrence of such an event is more likely in the first year of HRT than later.



• Generally recognised risk factors for VTE include a personal history or family history, severe obesity (BMI> 30 kg/m 2 ) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There is no consensus about the possible role of varicose veins in VTE.



• Patients with a history of VTE or known thrombophilic states have an increased risk of VTE. HRT may add to this risk. Personal or strong family history of thromboembolism or recurrent spontaneous abortion should be investigated in order to exclude a thrombophilic predisposition. Until a thorough evaluation of thrombophilic factors has been made or anticoagulant treatment initiated, use of HRT in such patients should be viewed as contraindicated. Those women already on anticoagulant treatment require careful consideration of the benefit-risk of use of HRT.



• The risk of VTE may be temporarily increased with prolonged immobilisation, major trauma or major surgery. As in all postoperative patients, scrupulous attention should be given to prophylactic measures to prevent VTE following surgery. Where prolonged immobilisation is liable to follow elective surgery, particularly abdominal or orthopaedic surgery to the lower limbs, consideration should be given to temporarily stopping HRT 4 to 6 weeks earlier, if possible. Treatment should not be restarted until the woman is completely mobilised.



• 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 cardiovascular benefit with continuous combined conjugated oestrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Two large clinical trials (WHI and HERS, i.e. Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study) showed a possible increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity in the first year of use and no overall benefit. For other HRT products there are only limited data from randomised controlled trials examining effects in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is uncertain whether these findings also extend to other HRT products.



Stroke



• One large randomised clinical trial (WHI-trial) found, as a secondary outcome, an increased risk of ischaemic stroke in healthy women during treatment with continuous combined conjugated oestrogens and MPA. For women who do not use HRT, it is estimated that the number of cases of stroke that will occur over a 5 year period is about 3 per 1000 women aged 50-59 years and 11 women per 1000 women aged 60-69 years. It is estimated that for women who use conjugated oestrogens and MPA for 5 years, the number of additional cases will be between 0 and 3 (best estimate = 1) per 1000 users aged 50-59 years and between 1 and 9 (best estimate = 4) per 1000 users aged 60-69 years. It is unknown whether the increased risk also extends to other HRT products.



Ovarian cancer



• Long-term (at least 5-10 years) use of oestrogen only HRT products in hysterectomised women has been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer in some epidemiological studies. It is uncertain whether long-term use of combined HRT confers a different risk than oestrogen-only products.



Other conditions



• Oestrogens may cause fluid retention, and therefore patients with cardiac or renal dysfunction should be carefully observed. Patients with terminal renal insufficiency should be closely observed, since it is expected that the level of circulating active ingredients in Progynova TS is increased.



• Women with pre-existing hypertriglyceridemia 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.



• 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 radio-immunoassay) or T3 levels (by radio-immunoassay). T3 resin uptake is decreased, reflecting the elevated TBG. Free T4 and free T3 concentrations are unaltered. Other binding proteins may be elevated in serum, i.e. corticoid binding globulin (CBG), sex- hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) leading to increased circulating corticosteroids and sex steroids, respectively. Free or biological active hormone concentrations are unchanged. Other plasma proteins may be increased (angiotensinogen/renin substrate, alpha-I-antitrypsin, ceruloplasmin).



• Chloasma may occasionally occur, especially in women with a history of chloasma gravidarum. Women with a tendency to chloasma should minimise exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation whilst taking HRT.



• There is no conclusive evidence for improvement of cognitive function. There is some evidence from the WHI trial of increased risk of probable dementia in women who start using continuous combined CEE and MPA after the age of 65. It is unknown whether the findings apply to younger postmenopausal women or other HRT products.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



The metabolism of oestrogens may be increased by concomitant use of substances known to induce drug-metabolising enzymes, specifically cytochrome P450 enzymes, such as anticonvulsants (e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamezapin) and anti- infectives (e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, efavirenz).



Ritonavir and nelfinavir, although known as strong inhibitors, by contrast exhibit inducing properties when used concomitantly with steroid hormones. Herbal preparations containing St. John's wort (Hypericum Perforatum) may induce the metabolism of oestrogens.



At transdermal administration, the first-pass effect in the liver is avoided and, thus, transdermally applied oestrogens might be less affected than oral hormones by enzyme inducers.



Clinically, an increased metabolism of oestrogens and progestogens may lead to decreased effect and changes in the uterine bleeding profile.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Pregnancy



Progynova TS is not indicated during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs during medication with Progynova TS treatment should be withdrawn immediately.



The results of most epidemiological studies to date relevant to inadvertent foetal exposure to oestrogens indicate no teratogenic or foetotoxic effects.



Lactation



Progynova TS is not indicated during lactation.



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



None known.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



During the first few months of treatment, breakthrough bleeding, spotting and breast tenderness or enlargement can occur. These are usually temporary and normally disappear after continued treatment. The table below lists adverse drug reactions recorded in clinical studies as well as adverse drug reactions reported post-marketing. Adverse drug reactions were recorded in 3 phase III clinical studies (n = 611 women at risk) and were included in the table when considered at least possibly related to treatment with 50 μg/day estradiol or 100 μg/day estradiol, respectively, following transdermal application.



The experience of adverse drug reactions is overall expected in 76% of the patients. Adverse drug reactions appearing in > 10% of patients in clinical trials were application site reactions and breast pain.




























































Organ system




Adverse events reported in clinical trials




Adverse events reported post marketing


 


 




Common



(




Uncommon



(




 




BODY AS A WHOLE




Pain.




Fatigue, abnormal laboratory test1, asthenia1, fever1, flu syndrome1, malaise1.




  




CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM




-




Migraine, palpitations, superficial phlebitis1, hypertension1.




Cerebral ischaemic events.




DIGESTIVE SYSTEM




Flatulence, nausea.




Increased appetite, constipation, dyspepsia1, diarrhoea1, rectal disorder1.




Abdominal pain, bloating (abdominal distension), cholestatic jaundice




IMMUNE SYSTEM DISORDERS




  




  




Exacerbation of hereditary angioedema




METABOLIC and NUTRITIONAL DISORDER




Oedema, weight gain.




Hypercholesteremia1




  




HAEMATOLOGICAL and LYMPHATIC SYSTEM




-




Purpura1.




  




MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM




-




Joint disorder, muscle cramps.




  




RESPIRATORY SYSTEM




-




Dyspnoea1, rhinitis1




  




NERVOUS SYSTEM




Depression, dizziness, nervousness, lethargy, headache, increased sweating, hot flushes.




Anxiety, insomnia, apathy, emotional lability, impaired concentration, paraesthesia, libido changed, euphoria1, tremor1, agitation1.




  




SKIN and APPENDAGES




Application site pruritus, rash.




Acne, alopecia, dry skin, benign breast neoplasm, breast enlargement, breast tenderness, nail disorder1, skin nodule1, hirsutism1




Contact dermatitis, eczema, breast pain




UROGENITAL SYSTEM




Menstrual disorder, vaginal discharge, disorder of vulva/vagina.




Increased urinary frequency/urgency, benign endometrial neoplasm, endometrial hyperplasia, urinary incontinence1, cystitis1, urine discoloration1, haematuria1, uterine disorder1.




Uterine fibroids




SPECIAL SENSES




  




Abnormal vision1, dry eye1




  



1 have been reported in single cases. Given the small study population (n=611) it cannot be determined based on these results if the events are uncommon or rare.



Breast cancer



According to evidence from a large number of epidemiological studies and one randomised placebo-controlled trial, the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), the overall risk of breast cancer increases with increasing duration of HRT use in current or recent HRT users.



For oestrogen-only HRT, estimates of relative risk (RR) from a reanalysis of original data from 51 epidemiological studies (in which >80% of HRT use was oestrogen-only HRT) and from the epidemiological Million Women Study (MWS) are similar at 1.35 (95% CI 1.21-1.49) and 1.30 (95% CI 1.21-1.40), respectively.



For oestrogen plus progestogen combined HRT, several epidemiological studies have reported an overall higher risk for breast cancer than with oestrogens alone.



The MWS reported that, compared to never users, the use of various types of oestrogen-progestogen combined HRT was associated with a higher risk of breast cancer (RR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.88-2.12) than use of oestrogens alone (RR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.21-1.40) or use of tibolone (RR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.25-1.68).



The WHI trial reported a risk estimate of 1.24 (95% CI 1.01-1.54) after 5.6 years of use of oestrogen-progestogen combined HRT (CEE + MPA) in all users compared with placebo.



The absolute risks calculated from the MWS and the WHI trial are presented below:



The MWS has estimated, from the known average incidence of breast cancer in developed countries, that:



• For women not using HRT, about 32 in every 1000 are expected to have breast cancer diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 64 years.



• For 1000 current or recent users of HRT, the number of additional cases during the corresponding period will be



• For users of oestrogen-only replacement therapy



o between 0 and 3 (best estimate = 1.5) for 5 years' use



o between 3 and 7 (best estimate = 5) for 10 years' use.



• For users of oestrogen plus progestogen combined HRT,



o between 5 and 7 (best estimate = 6) for 5 years' use



o between 18 and 20 (best estimate = 19) for 10 years' use.



The WHI trial estimated that after 5.6 years of follow-up of women between the ages of 50 and 79 years, an additional 8 cases of invasive breast cancer would be due to oestrogen-progestogen combined HRT (CEE + MPA) per 10,000 women years. According to calculations from the trial data, it is estimated that:



• For 1000 women in the placebo group,



o about 16 cases of invasive breast cancer would be diagnosed in 5 years.



• For 1000 women who used oestrogen + progestogen combined HRT (CEE + MPA), the number of additional cases would be



o between 0 and 9 (best estimate = 4) for 5 years' use.



The number of additional cases of breast cancer in women who use HRT is broadly similar for women who start HRT irrespective of age at start of use (between the ages of 45-65) see section 4.4).



Endometrial cancer



In women with an intact uterus, the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer increases with increasing duration of use of unopposed oestrogens. According to data from epidemiological studies, the best estimate of the risk is that for women not using HRT, about 5 in every 1000 are expected to have endometrial cancer diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 65. Depending on the duration of treatment and oestrogen dose, the reported increase in endometrial cancer risk among unopposed oestrogen users varies from 2- to 12-fold greater compared with non-users. Adding a progestogen to oestrogen-only therapy greatly reduces this increased risk.



Other adverse reactions have been reported in association with oestrogen/progestogen treatment:



- Oestrogen-dependent neoplasms benign and malignant, e.g. endometrial cancer.



- Venous thromboembolism, i.e. deep leg or pelvic venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is more frequent among hormone replacement therapy users than among non-users. For further information, see section 4.3 Contraindications and 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use.



- Myocardial infarction and stroke (see also section 4.4).



- Gall bladder disease.



- Skin and subcutaneous disorders: chloasma, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, vascular purpura.



- Probable dementia (see section 4.4)



4.9 Overdose



Overdosage is unlikely with this type of application. Nausea, vomiting and withdrawal bleeding may occur in some women. There is no specific antidote and treatment should be symptomatic. The patch(es) should be removed.



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Pharmacotherapeutic group: Natural and semisynthetic oestrogens, plain.



ATC code: G03CA03



Progynova TS contains synthetic 17ß-estradiol, which is chemically and biologically identical to endogenous human estradiol. It substitutes for the loss of oestrogen production in menopausal women, and alleviates menopausal symptoms. Oestrogens prevent bone loss following menopause or ovariectomy.



• Relief of oestrogen-deficiency symptoms



- Relief of menopausal symptoms was achieved during the first few weeks of treatment.



• Prevention of osteoporosis



- Oestrogen deficiency at menopause is associated with an increasing bone turnover and decline in bone mass. The effect of oestrogens on the bone mineral density is dose-dependent. However, in clinical trials, the efficacy of Progynova TS 100 was not significantly better than the efficacy of Progynova TS 50 for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Protection appears to be effective for as long as treatment is continued. After discontinuation of HRT, bone mass is lost at a rate similar to that in untreated women.



- Evidence from the WHI trial and meta-analysed trials shows that current use of HRT alone or in combination with a progestogen – given to predominantly healthy women – reduces the risk of hip, vertebral, and other osteoporotic fractures. HRT may also prevent fractures in women with low bone density and/or established osteoporosis, but the evidence for that is limited.



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



Absorption



After dermal application of Progynova TS, estradiol is continuously released and transported across intact skin leading to sustained circulating levels of estradiol during 7-day treatment period as shown in figure 1. The systemic availability of estradiol after transdermal administration is about 20 times higher than that after oral admin istration. This difference is due to the absence of first pass metabolism when estradiol is given by the transdermal route. The major pharmacokinetic parameters of estradiol are summarised in the following table:




























Transdermal Delivery System




Daily Delivery Rate, mg/day




Application Site




AUC(0-tlast)



ngxh/mL /



nmolxh/L




Cmax



pg/mL /



pmol/L




Cavg



pg/mL /



pmol/L




tmax



h




Cmin



pg/mL /



pmol/L




Progynova TS 50




0.050




Abdomen




5.44 /



20




55 /



202




35 /



129




26




30 /



110




Progynova TS 100




0.100




Abdomen




11.5 /



42




110 /



404




70 /



257




31




56 /



206



Figure 1 : Mean baseline uncorrected serum 17 β-estradiol concentrations vs. time profile following application of Progynova TS 50 and Progynova TS 100







Distribution



The distribution of exogenous oestrogens is similar to that of endogenous oestrogens. The apparent volume of distribution of estradiol after single intravenous administration is about 1 l/kg. Oestrogens circulate in the blood largely bound to serum proteins. About 61 % of estradiol is bound non-specifically to serum albumin and about 37 % specifically to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG).



Metabolism



After transdermal administration, the biotransformation of estradiol leads to concentrations of estrone and of the respective conjugates within the range as seen during the early follicular phase in the reproductive life period, indicated by an estradiol/estrone serum level ratio of approximately 1. Unphysiologically high estrone levels as a result of the intensive "first pass" metabolism during oral estradiol hormone replacement therapy, reflected in estradiol/estrone ratios as low as 0.1, are avoided.



The biotransformation of the transdermally administered estradiol is the same as that of the endogenous hormone: Estradiol is mainly metabolized in the liver but also extrahepatically e.g. in gut, kidney, skeletal muscles and target organs. These processes involve the formation of estrone, estriol, catecholoestrogens and sulfate and glucuronide conjugates of these compounds, which are less oestrogenic or even nonoestrogenic.



Excretion



The total serum clearance of estradiol following single intravenous administration, shows high variability in the range of 10-30 ml/min/kgEstradiol and its metabolites are excreted in the bile and undergo a so-called enterohepatic circulation. Ultimately estradiol its metabolites are mainly excreted as sulfates and glucuronides with the urine.



Steady-state conditions



Accumulation of estradiol and estrone was not observed following multiple 1-week patch applications. Accordingly, steady-state serum levels of estradiol and estrone correspond to those observed after a single application.



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



The toxicity profile of estradiol is well known. There are no preclinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to that already included in other sections of the SPC.



In primary dermal irritation studies, application of Progynova TS patches resulted in mild irritation related to mechanical trauma at removal. Progynova TS patches had no dermal sensitising potential.



Studies on the components (adhesive matrix, backing and release liner) did not indicate any risk related to the use of the Progynova TS patch.



6. Pharmaceutical Particulars



6.1 List Of Excipients



Isooctyl acrylate/acrylamide/vinyl acetate copolymer, ethyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, glycerol monolaurate mounted on a polyester release liner and protected with a polyethylene backing film.



6.2 Incompatibilities



Not applicable



6.3 Shelf Life



3 years.



6.4 Special Precautions For Storage



Store below 30ºC.



Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.



6.5 Nature And Contents Of Container



Each patch is sealed in a multilaminate pouch containing a desiccant. The pouch consists of polyester/aluminium/acrylonitril, methyl acrylate copolymer (BAREX210). The desiccant consists of sodium alumino silicate;



Pack of 4 or 12 patches.



(Not all pack sizes may be marketed).



6.6 Special Precautions For Disposal And Other Handling



After use the patch still contains substantial quantities of estradiol, which may have harmful effects if reaching the aquatic environment. Therefore, the used patch should be discarded carefully. Any used or unused patches should be folded in half, adhesive side together, and disposed of in the solid waste disposal system. Used patches should not be flushed down the toilet nor placed in liquid waste disposal systems.



7. Marketing Authorisation Holder



Bayer plc



Bayer House



Strawberry Hill



Newbury



Berkshire RG14 1JA



United Kingdom



8. Marketing Authorisation Number(S)



PL 00010/0560



9. Date Of First Authorisation/Renewal Of The Authorisation



1 May 2008



10. Date Of Revision Of The Text



25 November 2011



LEGAL CATEGORY


POM