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Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
Wyeth is now a wholly owned subsidary of Pfizer Inc, 9 Riverwalk, National Digital Park, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24,
Telephone: +353 1 4676500
Fax: +353 1 4676501
Medical Information Direct Line: 1800 633 363


Summary of Product Characteristics last updated on medicines.ie: 19/05/2011
SPC Ovranette 150micrograms/30micrograms Coated Tablets

Table of Contents

  • 1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
  • 2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
  • 3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
  • 4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS
  • 4.1 Therapeutic indications
  • 4.2 Posology and method of administration
  • 4.3 Contraindications
  • 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
  • 4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
  • 4.6 Pregnancy and lactation
  • 4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
  • 4.8 Undesirable effects
  • 4.9 Overdose
  • 5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
  • 5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
  • 5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
  • 5.3 Preclinical safety data
  • 6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
  • 6.1 List of excipient(s)
  • 6.2 Incompatibilities
  • 6.3 Shelf life
  • 6.4 Special precautions for storage
  • 6.5 Nature and contents of container
  • 6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
  • 7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
  • 8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
  • 9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
  • 10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT


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1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

OVRANETTE 150micrograms/30micrograms Coated Tablets


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2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each tablet contains 150 micrograms levonorgestrel and 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol.

Excipients: Each tablet also contains 32.97mg of lactose monohydrate and 22.023mg of sucrose.

For a full list of excipients see section 6.1.


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3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Coated tablet

Round, white sugar-coated tablets.


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4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

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4.1 Therapeutic indications

Oral contraception.


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4.2 Posology and method of administration

PAEDIATRIC POPULATION

Paediatric data are not available. Safety and efficacy of COCs have been established in adult women of reproductive age.

GERIATRIC POPULATION

COCs are not indicated for use in postmenopausal women.

HOW TO TAKE OVRANETTE

Regular daily intake of tablets for 21 consecutive days is important for the preservation of contraceptive efficacy.

Tablets must be taken in the order directed on the package every day at about the same time with some liquid as needed. One tablet is to be taken daily for 21 consecutive days. Each subsequent pack is started after a 7-day tablet-free interval during which time a withdrawal bleed occurs. This usually starts on day 2-3 after the last tablet and may not have finished before the next pack is started.

HOW TO START OVRANETTE

No hormonal contraceptive use within the preceeding month

The user should begin taking “Ovranette” on Day 1 of her natural menstrual cycle (i.e. the first day of her menstrual bleeding). Beginning “Ovranette” use on days 2-7 of the menstrual cycle is allowed, however a nonhormonal back-up method of birth control (such as, condoms and spermicide) is recommended during the first 7 days of “Ovranette” use.

Switching from another combined oral contraceptive (COC)

Preferably “OVRANETTE” use should begin on the day after the last active tablet of the previous COC pack has been taken, but no later than the day following the usual tablet-free or inactive tablet interval of the previous COC.

Switching from a progestin only method of birth control (pill, implant, intrauterine device [IUD], injection)

• The user may discontinue use of a progestin only pill on any day; use of “OVRANETTE”should begin the following day.

• “OVRANETTE”use should begin on the same day that a progestin only implant or a progestin only IUD is removed.

• ”Ovranette”use should begin on the day that the next progestin only injection is scheduled.

In each of these situations, the user should be advised to use a nonhormonal back-up method of birth control for the first 7 days of “Ovranette”taking.

Following first trimester abortion

The woman may start immediately. When doing so, she need not take additional contraceptive measures.

Postpartum

Because the immediate post-partum period is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, “Ovranette” use should begin no sooner than the 28th postpartum day after delivery or second-trimester abortion. The woman should be advised to additionally use a back-up method for the first 7 days of tablet taking. However, if intercourse has already occurred, pregnancy should be excluded before the actual start of Ovranette use or the woman has to wait for her first menstrual period before beginning Ovranette use. (See WARNINGS: Thromboembolism and 4.6 Pregnancy and lactation)

MANAGEMENT OF MISSED TABLETS

Contraceptive protection may be reduced if tablets are missed particularly if the missing of tablets extends the tablet-free interval. If tablets were missed in the first week of the cycle and intercourse took place in the week before the tablets were missed, the possibility of a pregnancy should be considered.

Provided that the user is less than 12 hours late in taking any tablet, she should take it as soon as she remembers and further tablets should be taken at the usual time.

If she is more than 12 hours late in taking any tablet, contraceptive protection may be reduced. The user should take the last missed tablet as soon as she remembers, even if this means taking two tablets in one day. She then continues to take tablets at her usual time. In addition, a back-up method such as the condom should be used for the next 7 days.

If these 7 days run beyond the last tablet in the current pack, the next pack must be started as soon as the current pack is finished; no gap should be left between packs. This prevents an extended break in tablet taking thereby reducing the risk of escape ovulation. The user is unlikely to have a withdrawal bleed until the end of the second pack but she may experience spotting or breakthrough bleeding on tablet taking days.

If the user does not have a withdrawal bleed at the end of the second pack, the possibility of pregnancy must be ruled out before resuming tablet taking from the next pack.

IN CASE OF GASTROINTESTINAL UPSET

If vomiting or diarrhoea occurs within 4 hours after the tablet taking, tablet absorption may be incomplete. Use of tablets from a backup pack is required, as outlined in the section Management of missed tablets. (4.2 above).

HOW TO DELAY A PERIOD

To delay a period the woman should continue with another pack of OVRANETTE without a tablet-free interval. The extension can be carried on for as long as wished until the end of the second pack. During the extension the woman may experience breakthrough bleeding or spotting.

Regular intake of OVRANETTE is then resumed after the usual 7 day tablet-free interval.


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4.3 Contraindications

Oral contraceptives should not be used in women with any of the following conditions:

• Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic (arterial or venous) disorders or other diseases, associated with an increased thromboembolic risk such as thrombogenic valvulopathies and thrombogenic rhythm disorders (current or history)

• Hereditary or acquired predisposition for venous or arterial thrombosis

• Cerebrovascular or coronary artery disease

• Known or suspected carcinoma of the breast

• Carcinoma of the endometrium or other known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia

• Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding

• Hepatic adenomas or carcinomas, or acute or chronic liver disease, as long as liver function has not returned to normal

• Pancreatitis associated with severe hypertriglyceridaemia (current or history)

• Uncontrolled hypertension

• Diabetes mellitus associated with vascular abnormalities

• History of migraine with focal neurological symptoms, such as aura

• Known or suspected pregnancy

• Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients of OVRANETTE.


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4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

WARNINGS

For any particular estrogen/progestin combination, the dosage regimen prescribed should be one which contains the least amount of estrogen and progestin that is compatible with a low failure rate and the needs of the individual patient

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral-contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with the extent of smoking and is marked in women over 35 years of age. All women who use oral contraceptives should be strongly advised not to smoke. Other methods of contraception should be considered for those women over 35 years old who smoke.

The use of COCs is associated with increased risks of several serious conditions including myocardial infarction, thromboembolism, stroke, hepatic neoplasia, and hypertension. The risk of morbidity and mortality increases significantly in the presence of other underlying risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemias, obesity, and particularly diabetes with vascular involvement.

1. Thromboembolic Disorders and Other Vascular Problems

Oral contraception must be used with caution in women with risk factors for thrombotic and thrombolic events or cardiovascular disease. Any of the following risk factors for venous or arterial disease may constitute an unacceptable level of risk.

a. Myocardial Infarction

An increased risk of myocardial infarction has been attributed to oral-contraceptive use. This risk is primarily in smokers or women with other underlying risk factors for coronary-artery disease such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, morbid obesity, and diabetes.

Smoking in combination with oral-contraceptive use has been shown to contribute substantially to the incidence of myocardial infarction in women in their mid-thirties or older with smoking accounting for the majority of excess cases. Mortality rates associated with circulatory disease have been shown to increase substantially in smokers over the age of 35 and nonsmokers over the age of 40 among women who use oral contraceptives.

Oral contraceptives must be used with caution in women with cardiovascular disease risk factors.

The risk of arterial thromboembolic complications in COC users increases with:

• Increasing age

• Smoking

• Dyslipoproteinemia

• Hypertension

• Valvular heart disease

• Atrial fibrillation

• Obesity (body mass index over 30kg/m2)

COC users with migraine (particularly migraine with aura)may be at increased risk of stroke. See section 4.3

b. Venous Thrombosis and Thromboembolism

Epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence of VTE in women with no known risk factors for VTE who use low dose oestrogen (<50 mcg ethinylestradiol) combined oral contraceptives ranges from about 20 cases per 100,000 woman-years (for levonorgestrel-containing COCs) to 40 cases per 100,000 women-years (for desogestrel/gestodene-containing COCs).

Use of COCs increases the risk of venous thrombotic and thromboembolic events.

The use of any COC carries an increased risk of VTE compared with no use. The excess risk is highest during the first year a woman ever uses a combined oral contraceptive. This increased risk is less than the risk of VTE associated with pregnancy, which is estimated as 60 cases per 100,000 woman-years. VTE is fatal in 1-2% of cases.

The overall absolute risk (incidence) of VTE for levonorgestrel containing combined oral contraceptives with 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol is approximately 20 cases per 100,000 woman years of use.

A two- to four-fold increase in relative risk of postoperative thromboembolic complications has been reported with the use of oral contraceptives. The relative risk of venous thrombosis in women who have predisposing conditions is twice that of women without such medical conditions.

The risk for venous thromboembolic complications in COCs users increases with:

• Increasing age

• A positive family history (venous thromboembolism ever in a sibling or parent at relatively early age)

• Prolonged immobilization, major surgery, any surgery to the legs, or major trauma. In these situations, it is advisable to discontinue the pill (in the case of elective surgery at least four weeks in advance) and not resume until two weeks after complete remobilization. Antithrombotic treatment should be considered if the pills have not been discontinued in advance.

• Obesity (body mass index over 30 kg/m2)

• Recent delivery or second trimester abortion (see section 4.2).

The presence of one serious or multiple risk factors for venous or arterial disease, respectively, can also constitute a contra-indication..

There is no consensus about the possible role of varicose veins and superficial thrombophlebitis in the onset or progression of venous thrombosis.

The Health Care Practitioner should warn the patient to contact their physician immediately if they experience possible symptoms of thrombosis and discontinue the COC promptly.

c. Cerebrovascular Disease

Oral contraceptives have been shown to increase both the relative and attributable risks of cerebrovascular events (thrombotic and hemorrhagic strokes), although, in general, the risk is greatest among older (>35 years), hypertensive women who also smoke. Hypertension has been found to be a risk factor for both users and nonusers, for both types of strokes, while smoking appears to increase the risk for hemorrhagic stroke. Transient ischaemic attacks have also been associated with oral contraceptive use.

COC users with migraine (particularly migraine with aura) may be at increased risk of stroke.

2. Carcinoma of the Reproductive Organs

a. Cervical cancer

The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is persistent human papillomavirus infection.

Some studies suggest that oral contraceptive use has been associated with an increase in the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or invasive cervical cancer in some populations of women. However, there continues to be controversy about the extent to which such findings may be due to differences in sexual behaviour and other factors. See section 4.4 (9. Bleeding irregularities).

b. Breast cancer

A meta-analysis from 54 epidemiological studies showed that there is a slightly increased relative risk (RR = 1.24) of having breast cancer diagnosed in women who are currently using COCs. The increased risk gradually disappears during the course of the 10 years after cessation of COC use. Because breast cancer is rare in women under 40 years of age, the excess number of breast cancer diagnoses in current and recent COC users is small in relation to the lifetime risk of breast cancer. These studies do not provide evidence for causation. The observed pattern of increased risk may be due to an earlier diagnosis of breast cancer in COC users, the biological effects of COCs or a combination of both. Breast cancers diagnosed in ever-users tend to be less advanced clinically than the cancers diagnosed in never-users.

3. Hepatic Neoplasia/Liver Disease

In very rare cases, hepatic adenomas, and in extremely rare cases, hepatocellular carcinoma may be associated with COC use. The risk appears to increase with duration of oral contraceptives use. Rupture of hepatic adenomas may cause death through intra-abdominal hemorrhage.

Studies have shown an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in long-term oral contraceptive users, however, these cancers are extremely rare.

Women with a history of COC-related cholestasis and women who develop cholestasis during pregnancy are more likely to develop cholestasis with COC use. Such patients who use COCs should be carefully monitored, and COC use should be discontinued, cholestasis recurs.

Hepatocellular injury has been reported with COC use. Early identification of drug-related hepatocellular injury can decrease the severity of hepatotoxicity when the drug is discontinued. If hepatocellular injury is diagnosed, patients should stop their COC, use a non-hormonal form of birth control and consult their doctor.

Acute or chronic disturbances of liver function may necessitate the discontinuation of the COC use until liver function has returned to normal

4. Ocular Lesions

There have been case reports of retinal thrombosis with the use of oral contraceptives. Oral contraceptives should be discontinued if there is unexplained partial or complete loss of vision; onset of proptosis or diplopia; papilledema; or retinal vascular lesions.

5. Gallbladder Disease

An increased relative risk of gallbladder disease in users of oral contraceptives and estrogens has been reported in some studies.

6. Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolic Effects

Glucose intolerance has been reported in oral contraceptive users. Some progestins are known to increase insulin secretion and create insulin resistance, while estrogens (> 75 μg) may create a state of hyperinsulinism. Women with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes mellitus should be carefully observed while taking oral contraceptives.

Due to alterations of glucose tolerance, the required dose of insulin or other antidiabetic agents might change.

A small proportion of women will have persistent hypertriglyceridemia while on the pill. A decline in serum high-density lipoproteins (HDL) has been reported with many progestational agents.

7. Hypertension

An increase in blood pressure has been reported in women taking oral contraceptives and this increase is more likely in older oral contraceptive users and with continued use. Data from the Royal College of General Practitioners and subsequent randomized trials have shown that the incidence of hypertension increases with increasing quantities of progestins.

Women with a history of hypertension or hypertension-related diseases, or renal diseases should be encouraged to use another method of contraception. If women with hypertension elect to use oral contraceptives, they should be monitored closely and if significant elevation of blood pressure occurs, oral contraceptives should be discontinued.

COC use is contraindicated in women with uncontrolled hypertension (see 4.3).

8. Migraine/Headache

The onset or exacerbation of migraine or development of headache with a new pattern that is recurrent, persistent or severe requires discontinuation of oral contraceptives and evaluation of the cause.

9. Bleeding Irregularities

Breakthrough bleeding and spotting are sometimes encountered in patients on oral contraceptives, especially during the first three months of use. The type and dose of progestin may be important. Nonhormonal causes should be considered and adequate diagnostic measures taken to rule out malignancy or pregnancy in the event of breakthrough bleeding, as in the case of any abnormal vaginal bleeding. If pathology has been excluded, continued use of the oral contraceptive or a change to another formulation may solve the problem. In some women, withdrawal bleeding may not occur during the usual tablet free interval. If the COC has been taken according to directions, it is unlikely that the woman is pregnant. However, if the COC has not been taken according to directions prior to the first missed withdrawal bleed or if two consecutive withdrawal bleeds are missed, tablet-taking should be discontinued and a nonhormonal back-up method of contraception should be used until the possibility of pregnancy is ruled out.

Some women may encounter post-pill amenorrhea (possibly with anovulation) or oligomenorrhea, especially when such a condition was preexistent.

10. Angioedema

Exogenous estrogens may induce or exacerbate symptoms of angioedema, particularly in women with hereditary angioedema.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE

1. Physical Examination and Follow-up

Prior to the initiation or reinstitution of Minulet a complete medical history (including family history) should be taken and pregnancy must be ruled out. Blood pressure should be measured and a physical examination should be performed, guided by the contra-indications (see section 4.3) and warnings (see section 4.4). The woman should also be instructed to carefully read the user leaflet and to adhere to the advice given. The frequency and nature of examinations should be based on established practice guidelines and be adapted to the individual woman and if judged appropriate by the clinician, should include breast, abdominal and pelvic examination including cervical cytology.

Patients should be counselled that this product does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.

2. Lipid Disorders

Glucose intolerance has been reported in COC users. Woman with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes mellitus who use COCs should be carefully monitored. See section 4.5

A small proportion of women will have adverse lipid changes while taking oral contraceptives. Persistent hypertriglyceridemia may occur in a small proportion of COC users. Elevations of plasma triglycerides may lead to pancreatitis and other complications. Women who are being treated for hyperlipidemias should be followed closely if they elect to use oral contraceptives. Some progestins may elevate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and may render the control of hyperlipidemias more difficult. Nonhormonal contraception should be considered in women with uncontrolled dyslipidemias (See WARNINGS).

3. Liver function

Acute or chronic liver dysfunction may necessitate the discontinuation of COC use until liver function returns to normal. Steroid hormones may be poorly metabolized in patients with impaired liver function.

4. Emotional disorders

Patients becoming significantly depressed while taking oral contraceptives should stop the medication and use an alternate method of contraception in an attempt to determine whether the symptom is drug related. Women with a history of depression should be carefully observed and the drug discontinued if depression recurs to a serious degree.

5. Folate levels

Serum folate levels may be depressed by oral contraceptive therapy. This may be of clinical significance if a woman becomes pregnant shortly after discontinuing oral contraceptives.

6. St. John's wort

If combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and St. John's wort are used concomitantly, a non-hormonal back-up method of birth control is recommended (see 4.5).

7. Other

Diarrhoea and/or vomiting may reduce hormone absorption resulting in decreased serum concentration (see 4.5).

The following conditions have been reported to occur or deteriorate with both pregnancy and COC use, but the evidence of an association with COC use is inconclusive: jaundice and/or pruritus related to cholestasis, porphyria, systemic lupus erythematosus, haemolytic uremic syndrome, Sydenham´s chorea, herpes gestationis, otosclerosis-related hearing loss.

This product contains lactose and sucrose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-iosmaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.


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4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Interactions between ethinylestradiol (EE) and other substances may lead to decreased or increased serum EE concentrations.

Decreased EE serum concentrations may cause an increased incidence of breakthrough bleeding and menstrual irregularities and may possibly reduce efficacy of the COC.

During concomitant use of EE-containing products and substances that may lead to decreased EE serum concentrations, it is recommended that a nonhormonal back-up method of birth control (such as condoms and spermicide) be used in addition to the regular intake of OVRANETTE. In the case of prolonged use of such substances COCs should not be considered the primary contraceptive.

Examples of substances that may decrease serum EE concentrations:

- Any substance that reduces gastrointestinal transit time and, therefore, EE absorption

- Substances that induce hepatic microsomal enzymes, such as, carbamazepine, oxycarbamazepine, rifampicin, rifabutin, barbiturates, primidone, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, griseofulvin, topiramate ,modafinil, dexamethasone, some protease inhibitors

- Certain antibiotics (eg, ampicillin and other penicillins, tetracyclines), by a decrease of enterohepatic circulation of estrogens

- St. John's wort: Breakthrough bleeding and unintended pregnancies have been reported in women taking COCs and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). St. John's wort may induce microsomal enzymes, which theoretically may result in reduced clinical efficacy of COCs. The inducing effect may persist for at least 2 weeks after cessation of treatment with St. John's wort. If COCs and St. John's wort are used concomitantly, a non-hormonal backup method of birth control is recommended

After discontinuation of substances that may lead to decreased EE serum concentrations, use of a nonhormonal back-up method is recommended for at least 7 days. Longer use of a back-up method is advisable after discontinuation of substances that have lead to induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes, resulting in decreased EE serum concentrations.

Maximal enzyme induction is generally not seen for 2-3 weeks but may then be sustained for at least 4 weeks after the cessation of drug therapy.

Examples of substances that may increase serum EE concentrations:

- Atorvastatin

- Competitive inhibitors for sulfation in the gastrointestinal wall, such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and paracetamol

- Substances that inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzymes, such as indinavir, fluconazole and troleandomycin

Troleandomycin may increase the risk of intrahepatic cholestasis during coadministration with COCs.

EE may interfere with the metabolism of other drugs by inhibiting hepatic microsomal enzymes, or by inducing hepatic drug conjugation, particularly glucuronidation. Accordingly, plasma and tissue concentrations may either be increased (eg, cyclosporine, theophylline, corticosteroids) or decreased (e.g. lamotrigine).

In patients treated with flunarizine, use of oral contraceptives has been reported to increase the risk of galactorrhea.

The prescribing information of concomitant medications should be consulted to identify potential interactions.

LABORATORY TESTS

The use of contraceptive steroids may influence the results of certain laboratory tests, including biochemical parameters of liver, thyroid, adrenal and renal function, plasma levels of (carrier) proteins (e.g. corticosteroid binding globulin and lipid/lipoprotein fractions), parameters of carbohydrate metabolism and parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis. Changes generally remain within the normal laboratory range.

In women on chronic treatment with hepatic enzyme inducing medications, COCs are not recommended unless other more appropriate methods are not available or acceptable.


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4.6 Pregnancy and lactation

PREGNANCY

If pregnancy occurs during treatment with COCs, further intake should be discontinued. There is no conclusive evidence that the estrogen and progestin contained in the COC will damage the developing child if conception accidentally occurs during COC use, See section 4.3

LACTATION

Small amounts of contraceptive steroids and/or metabolites have been identified in the milk of nursing mothers, and a few adverse effects on the child have been reported, including jaundice and breast enlargement.

The use of COCs is generally not recommended until the nursing mother has completely weaned her child.


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4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None known.


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4.8 Undesirable effects

For serious adverse effects when taking COCs, see section 4.4. “Special warnings and precautions for use”. For thromboembolic events, lipid disorders, gallbladder diseases, breast cancer, see also section 4.4. “Special warnings and precautions for use.

The most frequently (greater than 10%) reported adverse events during phase III studies and postmarketing surveillance in women using OVRANETTE are headache, including migraines and breakthrough bleeding/spotting.

Use of COCs has been associated with an increased risk of the following:

• Arterial and venous thrombotic and thromboembolic events

• Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer

• being diagnosed with Breast cancer

• Benign hepatic tumors (eg. focal nodular hyperplasia, hepatic adenoma)

Other adverse events have been reported in women taking OVRANETTE:

System organ class

 

Frequency of adverse events

 

Very Common

GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)10%

Common

GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)1% and <10%

Uncommon

GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)0.1% and <1%

Rare

GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO (8805)0.01% and< 0.1%

Infections and infestations

 

Vaginitis, including candidiasis

  

Immune system disorders

   

Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions including very rare cases of urticaria, angioedema and severe reactions with respiratory and circulatory symptoms

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

  

Changes in appetite (increase or decrease)

Glucose intolerance

Psychiatric disorders

 

Mood changes, including depression; changes in libido

  

Nervous system disorders

Headache, including migraine

Nervousness; dizziness

  

Eye disorder

   

Intolerance to contact lenses

Gastrointestinal disorders

 

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

Abdominal cramps, bloating

 

Hepatobiliary disorder

   

Cholestatic jaundice

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

 

Acne

Rash, chloasma (melasma) which may persist, hirsutism, alopecia

Erythema nodosum

Reproductive system breast disorders

Breakthrough bleeding and spotting

Breast pain, tenderness, enlargement, secretion, dysmenorrhea, change in menstrual flow, change in cervical ectropion and secretion, amenorrhea

  

General disorders

 

Fluid retention/edema

  

Investigations

 

Change in weight (increase or decrease)

Increase in blood pressure, changes in serum lipid levels, including hypertriglyceridemia

Decrease in serum folate levels (Serum folate levels may be depressed by COC therapy.)

The following adverse events have been classified as very rare adverse events (<0.01%):

• Exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus

• Exacerbation of porphyria

• Exacerbation of chorea

• Optic neuritis (optic neuritis may lead to partial or complete loss of vision)

• Aggravation of varicose veins

• Retinal vascular thrombosis

• Pancreatitis

• Ischaemic colitis

• Hepatic adenomas

• Hepatocellular carcinomas

• Gallbladder disease, including gallstones (COCs may worsen existing gallbladder disease and may accelerate the development of this disease in previously asymptomatic women.)

• Erythema multiforme

• Haemolytic uremic syndrome

The frequency of the following adverse effect is unknown: Hepatocellular injury (e.g. hepatitis, hepatic function abnormal). Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis)


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4.9 Overdose

Symptoms of oral contraceptive overdosage in adults and children may include nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, dizziness, abdominal pain, drowsiness/fatigue; withdrawal bleeding may occur in females. There is no specific antidote, and further treatment of overdose, if necessary, is directed to the symptoms.


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5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

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5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Progestogens and estrogens, fixed combinations.

ATC code: G03FA11

Ovranette is a combined oral contraceptive containing the estrogen ethinylestradiol and the progestogen, levonorgestrel. It acts primarily through the mechanism of gonadotrophin suppression resulting in the suppression of ovulation.


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5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Ethinylestradiol is rapidly and well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but is subject to first pass metabolism in the gut wall. Compared to other estrogens it is only slowly metabolised in the liver. Excretion is via the kidneys with some appearing also in the faeces.

Levonorgestrel is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Metabolites are excreted in the urine and faeces as glucuronide and sulphate conjugates.


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5.3 Preclinical safety data

A carcinogenic effect can be produced in certain strains of mice and rats when progestogens, estrogens and combinations of the hormones are given in high doses throughout their life span. The susceptibility to tumour induction by hormonal contraceptives is not consistent in different strains of mice and rats and such studies have not provided useful predictive information of the potential carcinogenicity in women.


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6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

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6.1 List of excipient(s)

Tablet Core:

Lactose monohydrate

Maize starch

Povidone K-25

Magnesium stearate

Talc

Tablet Coating:

Sucrose

Macrogol 6000

Calcium carbonate

Talc

Povidone K-90

Polishing:

White wax

Wax Carnauba

Talc


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6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.


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6.3 Shelf life

3 years


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6.4 Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 25°C.


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6.5 Nature and contents of container

Primary container: Blister packs, formed from moulded clear 250μm PVC film and 20μm aluminium foil coated with heat sealable lacquer.

Secondary container: Cardboard carton.

Presentation: Each blister pack contains 21 tablets. Cartons containing 1, 3 and 50 blisters.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.


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6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

No special requirements.


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7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Pfizer Healthcare Ireland,

9 Riverwalk, National Digital Park,

Citywest Business Campus,

Dublin 24

Ireland


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8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PA 822/94/1


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9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 01 April 1984

Date of last renewal: 26 November 2009


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10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

May 2011



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Active Ingredients

 
   Ethinyloestradiol
   Levonorgestrel

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