Vagifem

VAGIFEM- estradiol insert
Novo Nordisk

WARNING: ENDOMETRIAL CANCER, CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS, PROBABLE DEMENTIA, and BREAST CANCER

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 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen-alone substudy reported increased risks of stroke and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 7.1 years of treatment with daily oral conjugated estrogens (CE) [0.625 mg]-alone, relative to placebo [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), and Clinical Studies (14.2)].

The WHI Memory Study (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 (14.3)].

Do not use estrogen-alone therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2, 5.4), and Clinical Studies (14.2, 14.3)].

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.

Estrogen Plus Progestin Therapy

Cardiovascular Disorders and Probable Dementia

The WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy reported increased risks of pulmonary embolism (PE), DVT, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 5.6 years of treatment with daily oral CE (0.625 mg) combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) [2.5 mg], relative to placebo [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), and Clinical Studies (14.2)].

The WHIMS estrogen plus progestin ancillary study of the 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 (14.3)].

Do not use estrogen plus progestogen therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2, 5.4), and Clinical Studies (14.2, 14.3)].

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 (14.2)].

Only daily oral 0.625 mg CE and 2.5 mg MPA were studied in the estrogen plus progestin substudy of the 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 progestogen 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 progestogen 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.

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.1 Treatment of Atrophic Vaginitis due to Menopause

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Generally, when estrogen is prescribed for a postmenopausal woman with a uterus, consider addition of a progestogen to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.

Generally, a woman without a uterus does not need to use a progestogen in addition to her estrogen therapy. In some cases, however, hysterectomized women with a history of endometriosis may need a progestogen [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3, 5.15)].

Use estrogen-alone, or in combination with a progestogen, at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman. Reevaluate postmenopausal women periodically as clinically appropriate to determine if treatment is still necessary.

2.1 Treatment of Atrophic Vaginitis due to Menopause

Administer Vagifem intravaginally using the supplied applicator: 1 insert daily for 2 weeks, followed by 1 insert twice weekly (for example, Tuesday and Friday).

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Vagifem is a small, white, round, film-coated, bi-convex vaginal insert containing 10 mcg of estradiol. Each vaginal insert is 6 mm in diameter and is administered in a disposable applicator.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Vagifem is contraindicated in women with any of the following conditions:

Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding [see Warning and Precautions (5.3)].
Breast cancer or a history of breast cancer [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Estrogen-dependent neoplasia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Active DVT, PE, or history of these conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Active arterial thromboembolic disease (for example, stroke or MI), or a history of these conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Known anaphylactic reaction, or angioedema, or hypersensitivity to Vagifem [see Warnings and Precautions (5.16)].
Hepatic impairment or disease.
Protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency, or other known thrombophilic disorders.

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