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General MedicationsORALBlack Box

Angeliq

DROSPIRENONE AND ESTRADIOL

Standard Dose
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Each pack of Angeliq covers 28 days of treatment. Treatment is continuous, which means that the next pack follows immediately without a break. The tablets are to be swallowed whole with some liquid irrespective of food intake and should preferably be taken at the same time every day. In case a tablet is forgotten, it should be taken as soon as possible. If more than 24 hours have elapsed, the missed tablet should not be taken. If several tablets are forgotten, bleeding may occur. Women who do not take estrogens or women who change from a continuous combination product may start treatment at any time. Women changing from a continuous sequential or cyclic hormone therapy (HT) should complete the current cycle of therapy before initiating Angeliq therapy. Start therapy with Angeliq 0.25 mg drospirenone (DRSP)/0.5 mg estradiol (E2) once daily for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause. Dosage adjustment should be guided by the clinical response ( 2.1 ) Start therapy with Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 once daily for the treatment of moderate to severe vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Treatment of Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms due to Menopause One Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2 tablet or one Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 tablet taken by mouth once daily. 2.2 Treatment of Moderate to Severe Symptoms of Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy due to Menopause One Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 tablet taken by mouth once daily. Limitation of Use When prescribing solely for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy, first consider the use of topical vaginal products.
Max Dose
See official label
Primary Use
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Use estrogen, alone or in combination with a progestogen, at the lowest effective dose and the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman.
Summary

Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Use estrogen, alone or in combination with a progestogen, at the lowest effective dose and the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman.

Re-evaluate postmenopausal women periodically as clinically appropriate to determine whether treatment is still necessary.

Structured Monograph

Clinical summary

Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Use estrogen, alone or in combination with a progestogen, at the lowest effective dose and the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman. Re-evaluate postmenopausal women periodically as clinically appropriate to determine whether treatment is still necessary. Angeliq is a combination of an estrogen and progestin indicated in a woman with a uterus for the treatment of: Moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause. ( 1.1 ) Moderate to severe vulvar and vaginal atrophy symptoms due to menopause. ( 1.2 ) Limitation of Use When prescribing solely for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy, first consider the use of topical vaginal products. 1.1 Treatment of Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms due to Menopause Angeliq 0.25 mg drospirenone (DRSP)/0.5 mg estradiol (E2) is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause in a woman with a uterus. Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated due to menopause in a woman with a uterus. 1.2 Treatment of Moderate to Severe Symptoms of Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy due to Menopause Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause in a woman with a uterus. Dosage and administration 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Each pack of Angeliq covers 28 days of treatment. Treatment is continuous, which means that the next pack follows immediately without a break. The tablets are to be swallowed whole with some liquid irrespective of food intake and should preferably be taken at the same time every day. In case a tablet is forgotten, it should be taken as soon as possible. If more than 24 hours have elapsed, the missed tablet should not be taken. If several tablets are forgotten, bleeding may occur. Women who do not take estrogens or women who change from a continuous combination product may start treatment at any time. Women changing from a continuous sequential or cyclic hormone therapy (HT) should complete the current cycle of therapy before initiating Angeliq therapy. Start therapy with Angeliq 0.25 mg drospirenone (DRSP)/0.5 mg estradiol (E2) once daily for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause. Dosage adjustment should be guided by the clinical response ( 2.1 ) Start therapy with Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 once daily for the treatment of moderate to severe vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Treatment of Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms due to Menopause One Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2 tablet or one Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 tablet taken by mouth once daily. 2.2 Treatment of Moderate to Severe Symptoms of Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy due to Menopause One Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 tablet taken by mouth once daily. Limitation of Use When prescribing solely for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy, first consider the use of topical vaginal products. Warnings and cautions 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Do not use with conditions that predispose to hyperkalemia ( 5.2 Estrogens increase the risk of gallbladder disease ( 5.5 ) Discontinue estrogen if severe hypercalcemia, loss of vision, severe hypertriglyceridemia or cholestatic jaundice occurs ( 5.6 , 5.7 , 5.9 , 5.10 ) Monitor thyroid function in women on thyroid hormone replacement therapy ( 5.11 , 5.19 ) 5.1 Cardiovascular Disorders Increased risks of PE, DVT, stroke, and MI are reported with estrogen plus progestin therapy. Increased risks of stroke and DVT are reported with estrogen-alone therapy. Immediately discontinue estrogen with or without progestogen therapy if any of these occur or are suspected. Manage appropriately any risk factors for arterial vascular disease (for example, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, hypercholesterolemia, and/or obesity) and/or venous thromboembolism (VTE) [for example, personal history or family history of VTE, obesity, systemic lupus erythematosus]. Stroke The WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy reported a statistically significant increased risk of stroke in women 50 to 79 years of age receiving daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) compared to women in the same age group receiving placebo (33 versus 25 strokes per 10,000 women years, respectively) [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] . The increase in risk was demonstrated after the first year and persisted. 1 Immediately discontinue estrogen with or without progestogen therapy if a stroke occurs or is suspected. The WHI estrogen-alone substudy reported a statistically significant increased risk of stroke in women 50 to 79 years of age receiving daily CE (0.625 mg)-alone compared to women in the same age group receiving placebo (45 versus 33 strokes per 10,000 women-years). The increase in risk was demonstrated in year

Boxed Warning

WARNING: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS, PROBABLE DEMENTIA, BREAST CANCER, and ENDOMETRIAL CANCER Estrogen Plus Progestin Therapy Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen plus progestin substudy reported increased risks of pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 5.6 years of treatment with daily oral conjugated estrogens (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 WHI reported an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age and 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 (5.4) , Use in Specific Populations (8.5) , and Clinical Studies (14.5) ]. Do not use estrogen plus progestogen therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.4) , Clinical Studies (14.4 , 14.5) ]. Breast Cancer The WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy demonstrated an increased risk of invasive breast cancer [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) , and Clinical Studies (14.4) ] . Only daily oral 0.625 mg CE and 2.5 mg MPA were studied in the estrogen plus progestin substudy of WHI. Therefore, the relevance of the WHI findings regarding adverse cardiovascular events, dementia and breast cancer to lower CE plus other MPA doses, other routes of administration, or other estrogen plus progestin products is not known. Without such data, it is not possible to definitively exclude these risks or determine the extent of these risks for other products. Discuss with your patient the benefits and risks of estrogen plus progestin therapy, taking into account her individual risk profile. Prescribe estrogens with or without progestogens 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 progestogen to estrogen therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, which may be a precursor to endometrial cancer. Perform adequate diagnostic measures, including directed or random endometrial sampling when indicated, to rule out malignancy in postmenopausal women with undiagnosed persistent or recurring abnormal genital bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia 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 WHI reported an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women 65 years of age and 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 (5.4) , Use in Specific Populations (8.5) , and Clinical Studies (14.5) ] . Do not use estrogen-alone therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.4) and Clinical Studies (14.4 , 14.5) ]. Only daily oral 0.625 mg CE was studied in the estrogen-alone substudy of the WHI. Therefore, the relevance of the WHI findings regarding adverse cardiovascular events and dementia to lower CE doses, other routes of administration, or other estrogen-alone products is not known. Without such data, it is not possible to definitively exclude these risks or determine the extent of these risks for other products. Discuss with your patient the benefits and risks of estrogen-alone therapy, taking into account her individual risk profile. Prescribe estrogens with or without progestogens at the lowest effective doses and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman. WARNING: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS, PROBABLE DEMENTIS, BREAST CANCER, and ENDOMETRIAL CANCER See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning Estrogen Plus Progestin Therapy The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen plus progestin substudy reported increased risks of pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 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 ( 5.4 ) Do not use estrogen plus progestogen therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia ( 5.1 , 5.4 ) Estrogen-Alone Therapy There is an increased risk of endometrial cancer in a woman with a uterus who uses unopposed estrogens ( 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 ( 5.4 ) Do not use estrogen-alone therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia ( 5.1 , 5.4 )

Monitoring

  • 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Do not use with conditions that predispose to hyperkalemia ( 5.2 Estrogens increase the risk of gallbladder disease ( 5.5 ) Discontinue estrogen if severe hypercalcemia, loss of vision, severe hypertriglyceridemia or cholestatic jaundice occurs ( 5.6 , 5.7 , 5.9 , 5.10 ) Monitor thyroid function in women on thyroid hormone replacement therapy ( 5.11 , 5.19 ) 5.1 Cardiovascular Disorders Increased risks of PE, DVT, stroke, and MI are reported with estrogen plus progestin therapy.
  • Increased risks of stroke and DVT are reported with estrogen-alone therapy.
  • Immediately discontinue estrogen with or without progestogen therapy if any of these occur or are suspected.
  • Manage appropriately any risk factors for arterial vascular disease (for example, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, hypercholesterolemia, and/or obesity) and/or venous thromboembolism (VTE) [for example, personal history or family history of VTE, obesity, systemic lupus erythematosus].

Interaction Notes

  • 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Inducers and inhibitors of CYP3A4 may affect estrogen drug metabolism and decrease or increase the estrogen plasma concentration.
  • ( 7.1 ) Serum potassium concentration may increase in women taking drospirenone with other drugs that have the potential to increase potassium.
  • ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Metabolic Interactions Effect of Drospirenone on Other Drugs The potential effect of DRSP on CYP2C19 activity was investigated in a clinical pharmacokinetic study using omeprazole as a marker substrate.
  • No significant effect of DRSP on the systemic clearance of the CYP3A4 product omeprazole sulfone was found.