Estradiol/Norethindrone Acetate
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Activella, Lopreeza
- Brand Names
- Activella, Lopreeza
- Drug Class
- Estrogen [EPC]
- Route
- ORAL
- Dosage Form
- TABLET, FILM COATED
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
⚠ Boxed Warning (Black Box)
WARNING: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS, BREAST CANCER, ENDOMETRIAL CANCER AND PROBABLE DEMENTIA Estrogen Plus Progestin Therapy Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia Estrogen plus progestin therapy should not be used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.3 ) , and Clinical Studies (14.5, 14.6) ] . The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen plus progestin substudy reported increased risks of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 5.6 years of treatment with daily oral conjugated estrogen (CE) [0.625 mg] combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) [2.5 mg], relative to placebo [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), and Clinical Studies (14.5) ] . The WHI Memory Study (WHIMS) estrogen plus progestin ancillary study of the WHI reported an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age or older during 4 years of treatment with daily CE (0.625 mg) combined with MPA (2.5 mg), relative to placebo. It is unknown whether this finding applies to younger postmenopausal women [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3), Use in Specific Populations (8.5), and Clinical Studies (14.6) ] . Breast Cancer The WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy also demonstrated an increased risk of invasive breast cancer [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), and Clinical Studies (14.5) ] . In the absence of comparable data, these risks should be assumed to be similar for other doses of CE and MPA and other combinations and dosage forms of estrogens and progestins. Estrogens with or without progestins should be prescribed at the lowest effective doses and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman. Estrogen-Alone Therapy Endometrial Cancer There is an increased risk of endometrial cancer in a woman with a uterus who uses unopposed estrogens. Adding a progestin to estrogen therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, which may be a precursor to endometrial cancer. Adequate diagnostic measures, including directed or random endometrial sampling when indicated, should be undertaken to rule out malignancy in postmenopausal women with undiagnosed persistent or recurring abnormal genital bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia Estrogen-alone therapy should not be used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.3) , and Clinical Studies (14.5, 14.6) ] . The WHI estrogen-alone substudy reported increased risks of stroke and DVT in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 7.1 years of treatment with daily oral CE (0.625 mg)-alone, relative to placebo [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , and Clinical Studies (14.5) ] . The WHIMS estrogen-alone ancillary study of the WHI reported an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age or older during 5.2 years of treatment with daily CE (0.625 mg)-alone, relative to placebo. It is unknown whether this finding applies to younger postmenopausal women [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) , Use in Specific Populations (8.5) , and Clinical Studies (14.6) ] . In the absence of comparable data, these risks should be assumed to be similar for other doses of CE and other dosage forms of estrogens. Estrogens with or without progestins should be prescribed at the lowest effective doses and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment. See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning Estrogen Plus Progestin Therapy Estrogen plus progestin therapy should not be used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia (5.1, 5.3) The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen plus progestin substudy reported increased risks of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) (5.1) The WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy reported increased risks of invasive breast cancer (5.2) The WHI Memory Study (WHIMS) estrogen plus progestin ancillary study of WHI reported an increased risk of probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age and older (5.3) Estrogen-Alone Therapy There is an increased risk of endometrial cancer in a woman with a uterus who use unopposed estrogens (5.2) Estrogen-alone therapy should not be used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia (5.2, 5.3) The WHI estrogen-alone substudy reported increased risks of stroke and DVT (5.1) The WHIMS estrogen-alone ancillary study of WHI reported an increased risk of probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age and older (5.3)
Description
11 DESCRIPTION Lopreeza 1 mg/0.5 mg is a single tablet for oral administration containing 1 mg of estradiol and 0.5 mg of norethindrone acetate and the following excipients: lactose monohydrate, starch (corn), copovidone, talc, magnesium stearate, hypromellose and triacetin. Lopreeza 0.5 mg/0.1 mg is a single tablet for oral administration containing 0.5 mg of estradiol and 0.1 mg of norethindrone acetate and the following excipients: lactose monohydrate, starch (corn), hydroxypropylcellulose, talc, magnesium stearate, hypromellose and triacetin. Estradiol (E 2 ), an estrogen, is a white or almost white crystalline powder. Its chemical name is estra-1, 3, 5 (10)-triene-3, 17β-diol hemihydrate with the empirical formula of C 18 H 24 O 2 ,½ H 2 O and a molecular weight of 281.4. The structural formula of E 2 is as follows: Estradiol Norethindrone acetate (NETA), a progestin, is a white or yellowish-white crystalline powder. Its chemical name is 17β-acetoxy-19-nor-17α -pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one with the empirical formula of C 22 H 28 O 3 and molecular weight of 340.5. The structural formula of NETA is as follows: Norethindrone Acetate estradiol chem structure noreth acetate chem structure
What Is Estradiol/Norethindrone Acetate Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Lopreeza is an estrogen and progestin combination indicated in a woman with a uterus for: Lopreeza 1 mg/0.5 mg and 0.5 mg/0.1 mg are indicated in a woman with a uterus for: Treatment of Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms due to Menopause (1.1) Prevention of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis (1.3) Lopreeza 1 mg/0.5 mg is also indicated in a woman with a uterus for: Treatment of Moderate to Severe Symptoms of Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy due to Menopause (1.2) 1.1 Treatment of Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms due to Menopause 1.2 Treatment of Moderate to Severe Symptoms of Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy due to Menopause Limitation of Use When prescribing solely for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause, topical vaginal products should be considered. 1.3 Prevention of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Limitation of Use When prescribing solely for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, therapy should only be considered for women at significant risk of osteoporosis and non-estrogen medication should be carefully considered.
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Use of estrogen-alone, or in combination with a progestin, should be with the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman. Postmenopausal women should be re-evaluated periodically as clinically appropriate to determine if treatment is still necessary. One tablet to be taken once daily (2) 2.1 Treatment of Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms due to Menopause Lopreeza therapy consists of a single tablet to be taken once daily for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause. Lopreeza 1 mg/0.5 mg Lopreeza 0.5 mg/0.1 mg 2.2 Treatment of Moderate to Severe Symptoms of Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy due to Menopause Lopreeza therapy consists of a single tablet to be taken once daily for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause. Lopreeza 1 mg/0.5 mg 2.3 Prevention of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Lopreeza therapy consists of a single tablet to be taken once daily for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Lopreeza 1 mg/0.5 mg Lopreeza 0.5 mg/0.1 mg
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: Cardiovascular Disorders [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Malignant Neoplasms [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions, (5.2) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5 percent) are back pain, headache, pain in the extremity, nausea, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, insomnia, emotional lability, upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, nasopharyngitis, weight increase, breast pain, post-menopausal bleeding, uterine fibroid vaginal hemorrhage, ovarian cyst, endometrial thickening, viral infection, moniliasis genital, and accidental injury. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Novo Nordisk Inc. at 1-888-824-4336 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse reactions reported with Lopreeza 1 mg/0.5 mg by investigators in the Phase 3 studies regardless of causality assessment are shown in Table 1. TABLE 1 ALL TREATMENT-EMERGENT ADVERSE REACTIONS REGARDLESS OF RELATIONSHIP REPORTED AT A FREQUENCY OF ≥ 5 PERCENT WITH LOPREEZA 1 MG/0.5 MG Endometrial Hyperplasia Study (12-Months) Vasomotor Symptoms Study (3-Months) Osteoporosis Study (2-Years) Lopreeza 1 mg/0.5 mg 1 mg E 2 Lopreeza 1 mg/0.5 mg Placebo Lopreeza 1 mg/0.5 mg Placebo (n=295) (n=296) (n=29) (n=34) (n=47) (n=48) Body as a Whole Back Pain 6% 5% 3% 3% 6% 4% Headache 16% 16% 17% 18% 11% 6% Digestive System Nausea 3% 5% 10% 0% 11% 0% Gastroenteritis 2% 2% 0% 0% 6% 4% Nervous System Insomnia 6% 4% 3% 3% 0% 8% Emotional Lability 1% 1% 0% 0% 6% 0% Respiratory System Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 18% 15% 10% 6% 15% 19% Sinusitis 7% 11% 7% 0% 15% 10% Metabolic and Nutritional Weight Increase 0% 0% 0% 0% 9% 6% Urogenital System Breast Pain 24% 10% 21% 0% 17% 8% Post-Menopausal Bleeding 5% 15% 10% 3% 11% 0% Uterine Fibroid 5% 4% 0% 0% 4% 8% Ovarian Cyst 3% 2% 7% 0% 0% 8% Resistance Mechanism Infection Viral 4% 6% 0% 3% 6% 6% Moniliasis Genital 4% 7% 0% 0% 6% 0% Secondary Terms Injury Accidental 4% 3% 3% 0% 17%* 4%* Other Events 2% 3% 3% 0% 6% 4% * including one upper extremity fracture in each group Adverse reactions reported with Lopreeza 0.5 mg/0.1 mg by investigators during the Phase 3 study regardless of causality assessment are shown in Table 2. TABLE 2 ALL TREATMENT-EMERGENT ADVERSE REACTIONS REGARDLESS OF RELATIONSHIP REPORTED AT A FREQUENCY OF ≥ 5 PERCENT WITH LOPREEZA 0.5 MG/0.1 MG Lopreeza 0.5 mg/0.1 mg Placebo (n=194) (n=200) Body as a Whole Back Pain 10% 4% Headache 22% 19% Pain in extremity 5% 4% Digestive System Nausea 5% 4% Diarrhea 6% 6% Respiratory System Nasopharyngitis 21% 18% Urogenital System Endometrial thickening 10% 4% Vaginal hemorrhage 26% 12% 6 . 2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Lopreeza. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Genitourinary System Changes in vaginal bleeding pattern and abnormal withdrawal bleeding or flow; breakthrough bleeding; spotting; dysmenorrhea, increase in size of uterine leiomyomata; vaginitis, including vaginal candidiasis; change in amount of cervical secretion; changes in cervical ectropion; pre-menstrual-like syndrome; cystitis-like syndrome; ovarian cancer; endometrial hyperplasia; endometrial cancer. Breast Tenderness, enlargement, pain, nipple discharge, galactorrhea; fibrocystic breast changes; breast cancer. Cardiovascular Deep and superficial venous thrombosis; pulmonary embolism; thrombophlebitis; myocardial infarction, stroke; increase...
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Coadministration of estradiol with norethindrone acetate did not elicit any apparent influence on the pharmacokinetics of norethindrone acetate. Similarly, no relevant interaction of norethindrone acetate on the pharmacokinetics of estradiol was found within the NETA dose range investigated in a single dose study. Inducers and/or inhibitors of CYP3A4 may affect estrogen drug metabolism (7.1) 7.1 Metabolic Interactions Estradiol In-vitro and in-vivo studies have shown that estrogens are metabolized partially by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Therefore, inducers or inhibitors of CYP3A4 may affect estrogen drug metabolism. Inducers of CYP3A4 such as St. John’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) preparations, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and rifampin may reduce plasma concentrations of estrogens, possibly resulting in a decrease in therapeutic effects and/or changes in the uterine bleeding profile. Inhibitors of CYP3A4 such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir and grapefruit juice may increase plasma concentrations of estrogens and result in side effects. Norethindrone Acetate Drugs or herbal products that induce or inhibit cytochrome P-450 enzymes, including CYP3A4, may decrease or increase the serum concentrations of norethindrone.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Lopreeza is contraindicated in women with any of the following conditions: Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding Known, suspected, or history of breast cancer Known, past or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia Active DVT, PE, or history of these conditions Active arterial thromboembolic disease (for example stroke and MI), or a history of these conditions Known anaphylactic reaction or angioedema or hypersensitivity to Lopreeza Known liver impairment or disease Known protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency, or other known thrombophilic disorders Known or suspected pregnancy Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding (4) Known, suspected, or history of breast cancer (4, 5.2) Known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia (4, 5.2) Active DVT, PE, or history of these conditions (4, 5.1) Active arterial thromboembolic disease (for example, stroke and MI), or a history of these conditions (4, 5.1) Known anaphylactic reaction or angioedema or hypersensitivity to Lopreeza (4) Known liver impairment or disease (4, 5.10) Known protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency, or other known thrombophilic disorders (4) Known or suspected pregnancy (4, 8.1)
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Lopreeza should not be used during pregnancy [see Contraindications (4) ]. There appears to be little or no increased risk of birth defects in children born to women who have used estrogens and progestins as an oral contraceptive inadvertently during early pregnancy.
8.3 Nursing Mothers Lopreeza should not be used during lactation. Estrogen administration to nursing women has been shown to decrease the quantity and quality of the breast milk. Detectable amounts of estrogen and progestin have been identified in the breast milk of women receiving estrogen plus progestin therapy. Caution should be exercised when Lopreeza is administered to a nursing woman.
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE Overdosage of estrogen plus progestin may cause nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, abdominal pain, drowsiness and fatigue, and withdrawal bleeding may occur in women. Treatment of overdose consists of discontinuation of Lopreeza therapy with institution of appropriate symptomatic care.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied Lopreeza 1 mg/0.5 mg is a white, film-coated tablet, engraved with NOVO 288 on one side and the APIS bull on the other. It is round, 6mm in diameter and bi-convex. (NDC 69238-1251-6). It is supplied as 28 tablets in a calendar dial pack dispenser. Lopreeza 0.5 mg/0.1 mg is a white, film-coated tablet, engraved with NOVO 291 on one side and the APIS bull on the other. It is round, 6mm in diameter and bi-convex. (NDC 69238-1252-6). It is supplied as 28 tablets in a calendar dial pack dispenser. 16.2 Storage and Handling Store in a dry place protected from light. Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.