Norethindrone Acetate And Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets And Ferrous Fumarate Tablets

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Norethindrone Acetate And Ethinyl Estradiol

Brand Names
Norethindrone Acetate And Ethinyl Estradiol
Route
ORAL
Dosage Form
KIT
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG

⚠ Boxed Warning (Black Box)

WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive (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 norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets (4) Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive (COC) use ( 4 )

Description

11 DESCRIPTION Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets and Ferrous Fumarate Tablets, 1 mg/20 mcg provides an oral contraceptive regimen consisting of 24 white active chewable tablets that contain the active ingredients, followed by 4 brown non-hormonal placebo tablets as specified below: 24 white, round tablets each containing 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol. 4 brown, round tablets each containing 75 mg ferrous fumarate Each white active chewable tablet also contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, peppermint flavor, magnesium stearate, alpha tocopherol, and sucralose. Each brown placebo tablet contains ferrous fumarate, lactose monohydrate, mannitol, povidone, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, sucralose and peppermint flavor. The ferrous fumarate tablets do not serve any therapeutic purpose. The empirical formula of ethinyl estradiol is C 20 H 24 O 2 and the structural formula is: The chemical name of ethinyl estradiol is [19-Norpregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-20-yne-3,17-diol, (17α)-]. The molecular weight of ethinyl estradiol is 296.40. The empirical formula of norethindrone acetate is C 22 H 28 O 3 and the structural formula is: The chemical name of norethindrone acetate is [19-Norpregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one, 17-(acetyloxy)-, (17α)-]. The molecular weight of norethindrone acetate is 340.46.

What Is Norethindrone Acetate And Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets And Ferrous Fumarate Tablets Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets is indicated for use by females of reproductive age to prevent pregnancy [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] The efficacy of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets in women with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35 kg/m 2 has not been evaluated. norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets is an estrogen/progestin COC indicated for use by women to prevent pregnancy ( 1 ) The efficacy in women with a body mass index of more than 35 kg/m 2 has not been evaluated ( 1 , 8.8 )

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION One tablet daily chewed and swallowed taken at the same time of day. Follow with 8 ounces of water ( 2.1 ) Take one table by mouth at the same time every day for 28 days ( 2.1 ) Take tablets in the order directed on the blister pack (2.1 ) Tablets may be administered without regard to meals ( 12.3 ) 2.1 How to Take Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets and Ferrous Fumarate Tablets To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets must be taken exactly as directed. Instruct patients to take one tablet by mouth at the same time every day. The Tablet may be chewed and swallowed or swallowed as whole. The patient should drink a full glass (8 ounces) of water immediately after the white tablets are chewed or swallowed whole. Tablets must be taken in the order directed on the blister pack. Tablets should not be skipped or taken at intervals exceeding 24 hours. For patient instructions for missed tablets, [see FDA-approved patient labeling] . Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets may be administered without regard to meals [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 2.2 How to Start Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets and Ferrous Fumarate Tablets Instruct the patient to begin taking norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets either on the first day of her menstrual period (Day 1 Start) or on the first Sunday after the onset of her menstrual period (Sunday Start). Day 1 Start During the first cycle of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets use, instruct the patient to take one white norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablet daily, beginning on Day one (1 ) of her menstrual cycle (the first day of menstruation is Day one). She should take one white norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablet daily for 24 consecutive days, followed by one brown ferrous fumarate tablet daily on days 25 through 28. Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets should be taken in the order directed on the package at the same time each day. Instruct the patient to use a non-hormonal contraceptive as back-up during the first 7 days if she starts taking norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets on a day other than the first day of her menstrual cycle. The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of medication should be considered. Sunday Start During the first cycle of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets use, instruct the patient to take one white norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablet daily, beginning on the first Sunday after the onset of her menstrual period. She should take one white norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablet daily for 24 consecutive...

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 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 ( 5.2 )] Adverse reactions commonly reported by COC users are: Irregular uterine bleeding Nausea Breast Tenderness Headache The most common adverse reactions in clinical trials (greater than or equal to 2%) were: headache, vaginal candidiasis, nausea, menstrual cramps, breast tenderness, bacterial vaginitis, abnormal cervical smear, acne, mood swings, and weight gain. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Xiromed at 1-844-XIROMED (1-844-947-6633) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trial 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 the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data presented in Section 6.1 are from a clinical trial conducted with a 24-day regimen of norethindrone acetate 1 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.020 mg tablets. Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets is bioequivalent to these norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol tablets. Common Adverse Reactions (Greater Than or Equal to 2% of all Treated Subjects) : The most common adverse reactions reported by at least 2% of the 743 women using norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol tablets were the following, in order of decreasing incidence: headache (6.3%), vaginal candidiasis (6.1%), nausea (4.6%), menstrual cramps (4.4%), breast tenderness (3.4%), bacterial vaginitis (3.1%), abnormal cervical smear (3.1%), acne (2.7%), mood swings (2.2%), and weight gain (2.0%). Adverse Reactions Leading to Study Discontinuation : Among the 743 women using norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol tablets, 46 women (6.2%) withdrew because of an adverse event. Adverse events occurring in 3 or more subjects leading to discontinuation of treatment were, in decreasing order: abnormal or irregular bleeding (1.3%), nausea (0.8%), menstrual cramps (0.5%), and increased blood pressure (0.4%). 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Five studies that compared breast cancer risk between ever-users (current or past use) of COCs and never-users of COCs reported no association between ever use of COCs and breast cancer risk, with effect estimates ranging from 0.90 - 1.12 (Figure 1). Three studies compared breast cancer risk between current or recent COC users (<6 months since last use) and never users of COCs (Figure 1). One of these studies reported no association between breast cancer risk and COC use. The other two studies found an increased relative risk of 1.19 - 1.33 with current or recent use. Both of these studies found an increased risk of breast cancer with current use of longer duration, with relative risks ranging from 1.03 with less than one year of COC use to approximately 1.4 with more than 8-10 years of COC use. Figure 1. RR = relative risk; OR = odds ratio; HR = hazard ratio. “ever COC” are females with current or past COC use; “never COC use” are females that never used COCs. The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of a 24- day regimen of norethindrone acetate 1 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.020 mg tablets. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or evaluate a causal relationship to drug exposure. Adverse reactions are grouped into System Organ Classes. Vascular disorders: thrombosis/embolism (coronary artery, pulmonary, cerebral, deep vein). Hepatobiliary disorders: cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, hepatic adenoma, hemangioma of liver. Immune system disorders:...

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Consult the labeling of the concurrently-used drug to obtain further information about interactions with COCs or the potential for enzyme alterations. No drug-drug interaction studies were conducted with norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets. Drugs or herbal products that induce certain enzymes, including CYP3A4, may decrease the effectiveness of COCs or increase breakthrough bleeding. Counsel patients to use a back-up method or alternative method of contraception when enzyme inducers are used with COCs ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on Combined Oral Contraceptives Substances diminishing the efficacy of COCs: Drugs or herbal products that induce certain enzymes, including cytochrome P450 3A4 (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 phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin, topiramate and products containing St. John’s wort. Interactions between oral contraceptives and other drugs may lead to breakthrough bleeding and/or contraceptive failure. Counsel women to use an alternative method of contraception or a back-up method when enzyme inducers are used with COCs, and to continue back-up contraception for 28 days after discontinuing the enzyme inducer to ensure contraceptive reliability. Substances increasing the plasma concentrations of COCs: Co-administration of atorvastatin and certain COCs containing ethinyl estradiol increase AUC values for ethinyl estradiol by approximately 20%. Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase plasma ethinyl estradiol concentrations, possibly by inhibition of conjugation. CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole or ketoconazole may increase plasma hormone concentrations. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/ Hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors: Significant changes (increase or decrease) in the plasma concentrations of the estrogen and progestin have been noted in some cases of co-administration of HIV/HCV protease inhibitors or of 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. Women on thyroid hormone replacement therapy may need increased doses of thyroid hormone because serum...

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets and Ferrous Fumarate Tablets, are contraindicated in females who are known to have or develop the following conditions: 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 ( 5.5 )] Have headaches with focal neurological symptoms or have migraine headaches with aura All women over age 35 with migraine headache [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Liver tumors, benign or malignant, or liver disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Pregnancy, because there is no reason to use COCs during pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] Current diagnosis of, or history of, breast cancer, which may be hormone-sensitive [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 )] Use of Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to the potential for ALT elevations [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases (4) Breast cancer or other estrogen- or progestin-sensitive cancer ( 4 ) Liver tumors or liver...

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There is no use for contraception in pregnancy; therefore, norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets should be discontinued during pregnancy. Epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses have not found an increased risk of genital or nongenital birth defects (including cardiac anomalies and limb-reduction defects) following exposure to COCs before conception or during early pregnancy. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4 percent and 15 to 20 percent, respectively. 8.2 Lactation 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Contraceptive hormones and/or metabolites are present in human milk. COCs can reduce milk production in breast-feeding females. This reduction can occur at any time but is less likely to occur once breast-feeding is well-established. When possible, advise the nursing female to use other methods of contraception until she discontinues breast-feeding [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ]. The developmental and health benefits of breast-feeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets and any potential adverse effects on the breast-fed child from norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.3 Nursing Mothers When possible, advise the nursing mother to use other forms of contraception until she has weaned her child. COCs can reduce milk production in breastfeeding mothers. This is less likely to occur once breastfeeding is well-established; however, it can occur at any time in some women. Small amounts of oral contraceptive steroids and/or metabolites are present in breast milk.

Overdosage

10 OVERDOSAGE There have been no reports of serious ill effects from overdose of oral contraceptives, including ingestion by children. Overdosage may cause withdrawal bleeding in females and nausea.

How Supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets and Ferrous Fumarate Tablets, 1 mg/20 mcg is available in blister cards (dispensers) containing 28 tablets: NDC 70700-101-85, Carton containing 3 blister cards. Each blister card contains 28 tablets in the following order: 24 white, round (active) tablets imprinted with “XI” on one side and “T4” on the other side, and each containing 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol. 4 brown, round (non-hormonal placebo) tablets imprinted with “XI” on one side and “12” on the other side, and each containing 75 mg ferrous fumarate. The ferrous fumarate tablets do not serve any therapeutic purpose. 16.2 Storage Conditions Store at 20º to 25º C (68º to 77ºF); excursions permitted to 15º to 30ºC (59 to 86º F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Keep this drug and all drugs out of the reach of children.

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.