Femanest 1 mg and 2 mg Estradiol Tablets
1. What Femanest Is And What Femanest Used For
Femanest is a preparation used for hormonal substitution therapy ( HormoneReplacement Therapy, HRT ). It contains the female sex hormone estrogen. Femanest is used in women whose menstruation has stopped ( menopause ), at least 1 year after their last natural menstruation.
Femanest medicine is used to:
Relieve symptoms during and after menopause
When menstruation ceases ( menopause ), a woman’s estrogen drops. It can cause problems such as sweating and hot flashes. Femanest relieves these symptoms after menopause. Femanest should only be used if the problems cause problems in daily life.
Femanest 2 mg can also be used to prevent osteoporosis
After menopause, some women suffer from osteoporosis. Discuss all possible options with your doctor. If you have an increased risk of fractures (bone fractures) and other medicines that are not suitable for you, you can use Femanest to prevent osteoporosis after menopause.
What You Need To Know Before Taking Femanest
Medical background and regular check-ups
The use of HRT involves risks that must be considered when deciding to start or continue an ongoing treatment.
Experience is limited for treating women whose menstruation has stopped prematurely (when the ovaries have stopped working or the uterus has been removed). If you belong to that group, HRT’s risks may differ. Talk to your doctor.
Before starting treatment (or resuming treatment), your doctor will ask about your and your family’s medical background. Your doctor may do a general medical and gynaecological examination, including an examination of your breasts.
Once you have started treatment, you should go for regular medical check-ups at least once a year. During these check-ups, you should discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of continued treatment. Perform regular breast examinations according to your doctor’s recommendations.
Do not take Femanest:
If any of the following apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor before taking Femanest.
- If you have or have had breast cancer or there is a suspicion that you may have it
- If you have or have had estrogen-dependent cancer, such as cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrium), or if there is a suspicion of such cancer.
- If you have unexpected genital bleeding that a doctor has not investigated.
- If you have endometrial hyperplasia (severe thickening of the uterine lining) and are not being treated for it.
- If you have or have had a blood clot in a vein (venous thromboembolism ), in your legs (deep vein thrombosis ), or in your lungs ( pulmonary embolism ).
- If you have a coagulation disorder, a condition with an increased risk of blood clots (lack of protein C, protein S, or antithrombin).
- If you have or have had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries are as heart attack, stroke (stroke), or angina.
- If you have or have had any liver disease and still have abnormal liver values.
- If you have porphyria, a rare inherited blood disorder.
- If you are allergic to estradiol or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
If any of the above affects you the first time you use Femanest, stop taking Femanest and contact your doctor immediately.
Warnings And Cautions
Talk to your doctor if you have or have had any of the following problems before starting treatment. They may recur or worsen during treatment with Femanest. Should this occur, have more frequent check-ups with a doctor.
- If you have any disease affecting the lining of the uterus, as well as muscle knots ( fibroids ), endometriosis, or have had endometrial hyperplasia (severe thickening of the uterine lining).
- f you have an increased risk of getting a blood clot (see below “Blood clots in a vein ( thrombosis )”)
- If a close relative has had breast cancer or other estrogen-dependent cancer.
- High blood pressure
- Liver disease, e.g. liver adenoma (benign tumour)
- Diabetes
- Gallstone disease
- If you get a migraine or severe headache
- If you have systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE ) – an autoimmune disease that affects many organs in the body
- Epilepsy
- Asthma
- Otosclerosis (ossification of the middle ear leading to a hearing loss)
- Hypertriglyceridemia (elevated blood lipids).
- Fluid retention due to heart or kidney disease
You should contact a doctor immediately and discontinue treatment if any of the following occur:
- Some of what is mentioned in the section ‘Do not take Femanest’
- If the skin or whites of the eyes turn yellow (jaundice); it may be a symptom of liver disease
- If your blood pressure rises sharply (symptoms may include headache, fatigue, or dizziness)
- If you are experiencing migraine-like headaches for the first time
- If you become pregnant
- If you get symptoms of a blood clot, such as
- Painful swelling and redness of the legs
- Sudden chest pain
- Breathing difficulties
For further information, see below “Blood clots in a vein ( thrombosis )”
Note: Femanest is not a contraceptive. If it is less than 12 months since your last period, or if you are under 50, you may still need to use contraception to avoid pregnancy. Consult your doctor.
HRT and cancer
Severe thickening of the uterine lining ( endometrial hyperplasia ) and cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer)
- Using HRT with estrogen alone increases the risk of severe thickening of the uterine lining and cancer of the uterine lining.
- By taking progestogen as a supplement to estrogen for at least 12 days in each 28-day cycle, you are protected against this additional risk. The doctor will prescribe the progestogen if you have your uterus left. If your uterus has undergone surgery ( hysterectomy ), you should consult your doctor if you can take medicine without a progestogen.
- For women with the uterus left, who do not take HRT, an average of 5 out of 1,000 women aged 50-65 will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer.
- For women aged 50-65 who have the uterus left and who take HRT with estrogen alone, between 10 and 60 women out of 1,000 users will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer (i.e. between 5 and 55 extra cases), depending on dose one and how as long as it is taken.
Breast cancer
Data show that hormone replacement therapy ( HRT ) with a combination of estrogen-progestogen or with estrogen alone increases the risk of breast cancer. The increased risk depends on how long you use HRT. The increased risk is seen within 3 years. When the treatment is completed, the increased risk decreases over time, but it can persist for 10 years or more if you have used HRT for more than 5 years.
Comparison
- Of 1,000 women aged 50-54 who do not take HRT, an average of 13-17 will be diagnosed with breast cancer over 5 years.
- In women who are 50 years old and start taking HRT with estrogen alone for 5 years, 16-17 cases per 1000 users (i.e. 0-3 extra cases) will occur.
- In women who are 50 years old and start taking HRT with estrogen-progestogen for 5 years, there will be 21 cases per 1,000 users (i.e. 4 – 8 different cases).
- Among women aged 50–59 who do not use HRT, an average of 27 out of 1,000 will be diagnosed with breast cancer over 10 years.
- In women who are 50 years old and start taking HRT with estrogen alone for 10 years, 34 cases per 1,000 users (i.e. 7 extra cases) will occur.
- In women who are 50 years old and start taking HRT with estrogen-progestogen for 10 years, 48 cases per 1,000 users (i.e. 21 extra cases) will occur.
Check your breasts regularly. Contact a doctor if you notice changes such as:
- Indentations or pits
- Changes in the nipple
- Nodules you can see or feel
It is also recommended that you participate in a mammography examination when you are called to do so. At the mammogram, you must tell the nurse/healthcare professional examining that you are using HRT, as this medicine may increase the density of the breasts. An increased breast density can make detecting lumps on mammography images more difficult.
Ovarian cancer ( ovarian cancer )
Ovarian cancer is rare – much rarer than breast cancer. Use of HRT with estrogen alone or combined estrogen-progestogen has been associated with a slightly increased risk of ovarian cancer.
The risk of ovarian cancer varies with age. For example, the diagnosis of ovarian cancer will be made on about 2 women out of 2,000 between the ages of 50 and 54 who do not take HRT for a 5-year period. For women who have taken HRT for 5 years, there will be about 3 cases per 2,000 users (i.e. about 1 extra case).
How HRT affects the heart and blood circulation
Blood clots in a vein ( thrombosis )
- The risk of blood clots in the veins is 1.3–3 times higher for women who take HRT than those who do not, especially during the first year of treatment.
- Blood clots can be serious. If a blood clot ends up in the lungs, it can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, collapse or even lead to death.
- You are more likely to get a blood clot in a vein if the following apply to you. Tell your doctor if any of the following apply to you:
- You have not been able to walk or stand for a long time due to a major operation, injury or illness (see also section 3, “If you need surgery”)
- You are severely overweight ( BMI over 30 kg / m 2 )
- You have a coagulation disorder that requires long-term treatment with drugs that prevent blood clots.
- If a close relative has had a blood clot in the bone, lung, or another organ
- You have SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus)
- You have cancer
The symptoms of a blood clot are described in the section “You should contact a doctor immediately and stop the treatment”.
Comparison
- For women in their 50s who do not take HRT for over 5 years, an average of 4 – 7 out of 1,000 are expected to get a blood clot in a vein.
- For women in their 50s who have taken HRT with estrogen-progestogen for more than 5 years, 9 – 12 out of 1,000 users are expected to get a blood clot in a vein (i.e. 5 extra cases)
- For women in their 50s without a uterus who take estrogen alone for more than 5 years, 5 – 8 out of 1,000 users are expected to get a blood clot in a vein (i.e. 1 extra case).
Heart disease (heart attack)
- There is no evidence that HRT prevents heart attacks.
- For women over 60 who take HRT with estrogen-progestogen, the risk of developing heart disease is slightly higher than those who do not take HRT.
- For women without a uterus who take estrogen alone, there is no increased risk of developing heart disease.
Stroke (apoplexy)
The risk of stroke is about 1.5 times higher for those who take HRT than those who do not. The risk of stroke is age-dependent; therefore, the number of stroke cases increases due to the use of HRT with increasing age.
Comparison
- For women in their 50s who do not take HRT, an average of 8 out of 1,000 people is expected to have a stroke over 5 years.
- For women in their 50s who have taken HRT for more than 5 years, 11 out of 1,000 users are expected to have a stroke (i.e. 3 extra cases)
Other conditions
Using HRT does not prevent memory loss. The risk of memory loss may be slightly higher in women who start using HRT after age 65. Consult your doctor.
Other Medicines And Femanest
Some medicines may affect the effect of Femanest, which may lead to irregular bleeding. The following applies:
- Drugs for epilepsy (e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine)
- Medicines for tuberculosis (eg rifampicin, rifabutin)
- Drugs for HIV – infection (for example, nevirapine, efavirenz, ritonavir, and nelfinavir)
- (Traditional) herbal medicines containing St. John’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum)
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription and herbal remedies.
Results from blood tests analyze
If you need to take a blood sample, tell your doctor, or the person taking the blood sample, that you are taking Femanest as it may affect the results of some tests.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, And Fertility
Femanest is for women whose menstruation has stopped. If you become pregnant, stop taking Femanest and consult a doctor. Femanest should not be used if you are breastfeeding.
Driving And Using Machines
Femanest does not affect your ability to drive or use tools or machines.
Femanest Contains Lactose
If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Femanest 2 mg contains the dye para-orange (E110), which may cause allergic reactions.
How To Take Femanest
- Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
- With long-term treatment with estrogen, there is a risk of excessive growth of the uterine lining. Therefore, adding a corpus luteum hormone ( progestin ) for 10-14 days each month is recommended in women with the uterus left. You usually get menstrual-like bleeding at the end of treatment with the corpus luteum hormone.
- Your doctor will strive to give you the lowest dose, which will relieve symptoms, and you should use Femanest for the shortest time. Talk to your doctor if you do not get any relief from the symptoms or feel the dose is too high.
Instructions for use
The package is equipped with a weekday marking that makes it possible to check the tablet intake day by day. The foil marked every week is common in several Nordic countries. For some days, the day marking has different initials in Icelandic. Therefore it says M / Má (Monday), Ti / Þ (Tuesday), O / Mi (Wednesday), To / Fi (Thursday), and F / Fö (Friday).
Bleeding pattern
- Some women experience breakthrough bleeding or splashing bleeding during the first months of treatment.
- If such bleeding continues for longer than the first few months, starts after a period of treatment, or continues even after stopping treatment, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
- If you need surgery
If you are going to have surgery, tell your surgeon that you are taking Femanest. You may need to stop taking Femanest for 4 to 6 weeks before surgery to avoid the risk of blood clots (see section 2, “Blood clots in a vein ( thrombosis )”). Ask your doctor when it is appropriate to start taking Femanest again.
If You Take More Femanest Than You Should
If you have ingested too much medicine or if, e.g. If a child has inadvertently ingested the medicine, contact a doctor, hospital, or the Poison Information Center for risk assessment and advice. Signs of overdose may include
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Abdominal bleeding
If You Forget To Take Femanest
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet. A forgotten tablet should be taken within 12 hours; otherwise, you should discard it and continue your treatment. Forgetting a dose can increase the likelihood of breakthrough bleeding and spotting.
If you have any further questions about the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible Femanest Side Effects
This medicine can cause side effects like all medicines, although not everybody gets them. The following diseases are more common in women who take HRT than those who do not:
- Breast cancer
- Severe thickening of the uterine lining ( endometrial hyperplasia ) or cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer)
- Ovarian cancer ( ovarian cancer )
- Blood clots in veins in bones or lungs (venous thromboembolism )
- Heart disease
- Stroke (apoplexy)
- Probable memory loss, if treatment with HRT is started after the age of 65
See section 2 for more information on these side effects.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Weight gain or loss
- Headache
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Rash
- Itching
- Unforeseen bleeding from the abdomen
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Hypersensitivity
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Visual disturbances
- Palpitation
- Indigestion
- Painful reddish-purple bumps on the skin, hives
- Pain/tenderness in the breasts
- Accumulation of fluid in the body
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
- Anxiety decreased or increased sexual drive
- Migraine
- Intolerance to contact lenses
- A feeling of sometimes swelling with pain in the diaphragm
- Flatulence
- Vomiting
- Increased body hair
- Acne
- Muscle cramps
- Menstrual cramps
- Discharge from the abdomen
- Symptoms similar to PMS
- Breast enlargement
- Fatigue
Other side effects that have been reported with Femanest Estradiol treatment (occurring in an unknown number of users):
- Swelling of the face, tongue, or throat; difficulty swallowing; hives; and difficulty breathing ( angioedema ). Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you get any of these symptoms.
- Exacerbated epilepsy, involuntary body movements (dance sickness)
- Inflammation of the pancreas in women who have high levels of certain fats in the blood ( hypertriglyceridemia )
- Acid reflux ( gastroesophageal reflux disease )
- Abnormal liver function, sometimes with yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
- Skin rash with target-like redness or sores (erythema multiforme)
- Purple spots or spots on the skin ( vascular purpura)
- Discolouration of the skin, especially on the face or neck, so-called pregnancy spots (chloasma)
- Urinary incontinence
- Benign lumps in the breast (fibrocystic breast disease)
- Increase in size of fibroids in/outside the uterus ( fibroids )
The following side effects have been reported with other HRTs:
- The disease of the gallbladder
5. How To Store Femanest
- Do not store above 30 ° C.
- Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton after EXP. The expiration date is the last day of the specified month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents Of The Packaging And Other Information
Content Declaration
Femanest 1 mg:
- The active substance is estradiol hemihydrate, corresponding to estradiol 1 mg.
- The other ingredients are anhydrous lactose 62.77 mg, dye (titanium dioxide E 171), corn starch, povidone, talc, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, and macrogol.
Femanest 2 mg:
- The active substance is estradiol hemihydrate, corresponding to estradiol 2 mg.
- The other ingredients are anhydrous lactose 61.73 mg, dyes (titanium dioxide E 171, para-orange E110), corn starch, povidone, talc, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, and macrogol.
What The Medicine Looks Like And The Contents Of The Pack
- Femanest 1 mg: White tablet marked 01.
- Femanest 2 mg: Orange tablet marked 02.
- Provided in calendar packaging 3 x 28 pcs. The package is equipped with a weekday marking that makes it possible to check the tablet intake day by day.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Meda AB, Box 906, 170 09 Solna. Tel 08 – 630 19 00
Manufacturer
Mylan Hungary Kft./Mylan Hungary Ltd.
Mylan utca 1,
Komárom, 2900,
Hungary