Tri-Legest ® Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ferrous fumarate tablets [not USP]) is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use combined oral contraceptives as a method of contraception. Tri-Legest ® Fe is indicated for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris in females, ≥15 years of age, who have no known contraindications to combined oral contraceptive therapy, desire oral contraception, have achieved menarche, and are unresponsive to topical anti-acne medications.
Tri-Legest ® Fe should be used for the treatment of acne only if the patient desires a combined oral contraceptive for birth control and plans to stay on it for at least 6 months. Combined oral contraceptives are highly effective for pregnancy prevention. Table 2 lists the typical accidental pregnancy rates for users of combination oral contraceptives and other methods of contraception. The efficacy of these contraceptive methods, except sterilization, depends upon the reliability with which they are used.
Correct and consistent use of methods can result in lower failure rates. Table 2. Percentage of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy During the First Year of Typical Use and the First Year of Perfect Use of Contraception and the Percentage Continuing Use at the End of the First Year. United States. % of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy within the First Year of Use % of Women Continuing Use at One Year ‡ Method Typical Use * Perfect Use † (1) (2) (3) (4) Chance § 85 85 Spermicides ¶ 26 6 40 Periodic Abstinence 25 63 Calendar 9 Ovulation Method 3 Symptothermal #Þ 2 Post-ovulation 1 Cap ß Parous Women 40 26 42 Nulliparous Women 20 9 56 Sponge Parous Women 40 20 42 Nulliparous Women 20 9 56 Diaphragm ß 20 6 56 Withdrawal 19 4 Condom à Female (Reality) 21 5 56 Male 14 3 61 Pill 5 71 Progestin only
0.5 Combined
0.1 IUD Progesterone T 2.0 1.5 81 Copper T380A 0.8 0.6 78 LNG 20 0.1 0.1 81 Depo-Provera ® 0.3 0.3 70 Norplant ® and Norplant-2 ® 0.05 0.05 88 Female Sterilization 0.5 0.5 100 Male Sterilization 0.15 0.10 100 Emergency Contraceptives Pills: Treatment initiated within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse reduces the risk of pregnancy by at least 75% è . Lactational Amenorrhea Method: LAM is a highly effective, temporary method of contraception. ð Source: Trussell J, The Essentials of Contraception.
In Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Stewart F, Cates W, Stewart GK, Kowel D, Guest F, Contraceptive Technology: Seventeenth Revised Edition. New York NY: Irvington Publishers, 1998. ‡ Among couples attempting to avoid pregnancy, the percentage who continue to use a method for 1 year. * Among typical couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason. † Among couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time) and who use it perfectly (both consistently and correctly), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason. § The percentages becoming pregnant in columns (2) and (3) are based on data from populations where contraception is not used and from women who cease using contraception in order to become pregnant.
Among such populations, about 89% become pregnant within one year. This estimate was lowered slightly (to 85%) to represent the percent who would become pregnant within one year among women now relying on reversible methods of contraception if they abandoned contraception altogether. ¶ Foams, creams, gels, vaginal suppositories, and vaginal film. #Þ Cervical mucus (ovulation) method supplemented by calendar in the pre-ovulatory and basal body temperature in the post-ovulatory phases. ß With spermicidal cream or jelly. à Without spermicides. è The treatment schedule is one dose within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, and a second dose 12 hours after the first dose.
The Food and Drug Administration has declared the following brands of combined oral contraceptives to be safe and effective for emergency contraception: Ovral ® (1 dose is 2 white pills), Alesse ® (1 dose is 5 pink pills), Nordette ® or Levlen ® (1 dose is 4 light-orange pills), Lo/Ovral ® (1 dose is 4 white pills), Triphasil ® or Tri-Levlen ® (1 dose is 4 yellow pills). ð However, to maintain effective protection against pregnancy, another method of contraception must be used as soon as menstruation resumes, the frequency or duration of breastfeeds is reduced, bottle feeds are introduced, or the baby reaches 6 months of age.
Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets were evaluated for the treatment of acne vulgaris in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, Phase 3, six (28-day) cycle studies. A total of 296 patients received norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and 295 received placebo. Mean age at enrollment for both groups was 24 years. At six months each study demonstrated a statistically significant difference between norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and placebo for mean change from baseline in lesion counts (see Table 3 and Figure 2).
Each study also demonstrated overall treatment success in the investigator’s global evaluation. Patients with severe androgen excess were not studied. Table 3. Acne Vulgaris Indication Pooled Data 376 to 403 and 376 to 404 Observed Means at Six Months and at Baseline * Intent To Treat Population Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets N = 296 Placebo N = 295 Difference in Counts Between Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets and Placebo at Six Months (95% CI) † Number of Lesions Counts % reduction Counts % reduction INFLAMMATORY LESIONS Baseline Mean 29 29 Six Month Mean 14 52% 17 41% 3 (±2) NON-INFLAMMATORY LESIONS Baseline Mean 44 43 Six Month Mean 27 38% 32 25% 5 (±3.5) TOTAL LESIONS Baseline Mean 74 72 Six Month Mean 42 43% 49 32% 7 (±5) * Numbers rounded to nearest integer † Limits for 95% Confidence Interval; not adjusted for baseline differences Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets users who started with about 74 acne lesions had about 42 lesions after 6 months of treatment.
Placebo users who started with about 72 acne lesions had about 49 lesions after the same duration of treatment. Figure 2. Mean Percent Reduction in Total Lesion Counts From Baseline to Each 28-Day Cycle and Mean Total Lesion Counts at Each Cycle Following Administration of Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets and Placebo (Statistically significant differences were not found in both studies individually until cycle 6) Figure 2
Contraindications
Combined oral contraceptives should not be used in women who currently have the following: A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases. Examples include women who are known to: Smoke, if over age 35 Have cerebrovascular disease Have coronary artery disease Have current or history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism Have thrombogenic valvular or thrombogenic rhythm diseases of the heart Have inherited or acquired hypercoagulopathies Have uncontrolled hypertension or hypertension with vascular disease Have headaches with focal neurological symptoms, migraine headaches with aura, or over age 35 with any migraine headaches Have diabetes mellitus and are over age 35, diabetes mellitus with hypertension or with vascular disease or end-organ damage, or diabetes mellitus of > 20 years duration Current diagnosis of, or history of, breast cancer, which may be hormone-sensitive Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding Cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice with prior pill use Hepatic adenomas or carcinomas Known or suspected pregnancy Are receiving Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to the potential for ALT elevations (see WARNINGS , RISK OF LIVER ENZYME ELEVATIONS WITH CONCOMITANT HEPATITIS C TREATMENT ).
Warnings and precautions
The use of combined oral contraceptives is associated with increased risks of several serious conditions including myocardial infarction, thromboembolism, stroke, hepatic neoplasia, and gallbladder disease, although the risk of serious morbidity or mortality is very small in healthy women without underlying risk factors. The risk of morbidity and mortality increases significantly in the presence of other underlying risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemias, obesity, and diabetes.
Practitioners prescribing combined oral contraceptives should be familiar with the following information relating to these risks. The information contained in this package insert is principally based on studies carried out in patients who used combined oral contraceptives with higher formulations of estrogens and progestogens than those in common use today. The effect of long-term use of the combined oral contraceptives with lower formulations of both estrogens and progestogens remains to be determined.
Throughout this labeling, epidemiological studies reported are of two types: retrospective or case control studies and prospective or cohort studies. Case control studies provide a measure of the relative risk of a disease, namely, a ratio of the incidence of a disease among combined oral contraceptive users to that among nonusers. The relative risk does not provide information on the actual clinical occurrence of a disease.
Cohort studies provide a measure of attributable risk, which is the difference in the incidence of disease between combined oral contraceptive users and nonusers. The attributable risk does provide information about the actual occurrence of a disease in the population (adapted from References 8 and 9 with the author’s permission). For further information, the reader is referred to a text on epidemiological methods. 1.
Thromboembolic Disorders and Other Vascular Problems a. Myocardial infarction An increased risk of myocardial infarction has been attributed to combined 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. The relative risk of heart attack for current combined oral contraceptive users has been estimated to be two to six.
The risk is very low under the age of 30. Smoking in combination with combined oral contraceptive use has been shown to contribute substantially to the incidence of myocardial infarctions 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 non-smokers over the age of 40 (Figure 3) among women who use combined oral contraceptives.
Figure 3. Circulatory Disease Mortality Rates per 100,000 Woman Years by Age, Smoking Status and Combined Oral Contraceptive Use Combined oral contraceptives may compound the effects of well-known risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemias, age and obesity. In particular, some progestogens are known to decrease HDL cholesterol and cause glucose intolerance, while estrogens may create a state of hyperinsulinism.
Combined oral contraceptives have been shown to increase blood pressure among users (see Section 10 in WARNINGS ). Similar effects on risk factors have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Combined oral contraceptives must be used with caution in women with cardiovascular disease risk factors. Figure 3 b. Thromboembolism An increased risk of thromboembolic and thrombotic disease associated with the use of combined oral contraceptives is well established.
Case control studies have found the relative risk of users compared to nonusers to be 3 for the first episode of superficial venous thrombosis, 4 to 11 for deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, and 1.5 to 6 for women with predisposing conditions for venous thromboembolic disease. Cohort studies have shown the relative risk to be somewhat lower, about 3 for new cases and about 4.5 for new cases requiring hospitalization.
The risk of thromboembolic disease due to combined oral contraceptives is not related to length of use and disappears after combined oral contraceptive pill use is stopped. A two- to four-fold increase in relative risk of postoperative thromboembolic complications has been reported with the use of combined oral contraceptives. The relative risk of venous thrombosis in women who have predisposing conditions is twice that of women without such medical conditions.
If feasible, combined oral contraceptives should be discontinued at least 4 weeks prior to and for 2 weeks after elective surgery of a type associated with an increase in risk of thromboembolism and during and following prolonged immobilization. Since the immediate postpartum period is also associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, combined oral contraceptives should be started no earlier than 4 to 6 weeks after delivery in women who elect not to breastfeed. c.
Cerebrovascular disease Combined 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 was found to be a risk factor for both users and nonusers, for both types of strokes, while smoking interacted to increase the risk for hemorrhagic strokes.
In a large study, the relative risk of thrombotic strokes has been shown to range from 3 for normotensive users to 14 for users with severe hypertension. The relative risk of hemorrhagic stroke is reported to be 1.2 for non-smokers who used combined oral contraceptives, 2.6 for smokers who did not use combined oral contraceptives, 7.6 for smokers who used oral contraceptives, 1.8 for normotensive users, and 25.7 for users with severe hypertension.
The attributable risk is also greater in older women. d. Dose-related risk of vascular disease from combined oral contraceptives A positive association has been observed between the amount of estrogen and progestogen in combined oral contraceptives and the risk of vascular disease. A decline in serum high-density lipoproteins (HDL) has been reported with many progestational agents. A decline in serum high-density lipoproteins has been associated with an increased incidence of ischemic heart disease.
Because estrogens increase HDL cholesterol, the net effect of a combined oral contraceptive depends on a balance achieved between doses of estrogen and progestin and the nature of the progestin used in the contraceptives. The amount and activity of both hormones should be considered in the choice of a combined oral contraceptive. Minimizing exposure to estrogen and progestogen is in keeping with good principles of therapeutics.
For any particular combined oral contraceptive, the dosage regimen prescribed should be one which contains the least amount of estrogen and progestogen that is compatible with the needs of the individual patient. New acceptors of combined oral contraceptive agents should be started on preparations containing the lowest dose of estrogen which produces satisfactory results for the patient. e. Persistence of risk of vascular disease There are two studies which have shown persistence of risk of vascular disease for ever-users of combined oral contraceptives.
In a study in the United States, the risk of developing myocardial infarction after discontinuing combined oral contraceptives persists for at least 9 years for women 40 to 49 years who had used combined oral contraceptives for 5 or more years, but this increased risk was not demonstrated in other age groups. In another study in Great Britain, the risk of developing cerebrovascular disease persisted for at least 6 years after discontinuation of combined ora
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Interactions
8. Drug Interactions Effects of Other Drugs on Combined Oral Contraceptives Rifampin: Metabolism of both norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol is increased by rifampin. A reduction in contraceptive effectiveness and increased incidence of breakthrough bleeding and menstrual irregularities have been associated with concomitant use of rifampin. Anticonvulsants: Anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine, have been shown to increase the metabolism of ethinyl estradiol and/or norethindrone, which could result in a reduction in contraceptive effectiveness.
Antibiotics: Pregnancy while taking combined oral contraceptives has been reported when the combined oral contraceptives were administered with antimicrobials such as ampicillin, tetracycline, and griseofulvin. However, clinical pharmacokinetic studies have not demonstrated any consistent effect of antibiotics (other than rifampin) on plasma concentrations of synthetic steroids. Atorvastatin: Coadministration of atorvastatin and an combined oral contraceptive increased AUC values for norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol by approximately 30% and 20%, respectively.
St. John’s Wort: Herbal products containing St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum) may induce hepatic enzymes (cytochrome P450) and p-glycoprotein transporter and may reduce the effectiveness of combined oral contraceptives. This may also result in breakthrough bleeding. 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 estrogen and progestin have been noted in some cases of co-administration with HIV/HCV protease inhibitors (decrease [e.g., nelfinavir, ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, (fos)amprenavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, and tipranavir/ritonavir] or increase [e.g., indinavir and atazanavir/ritonavir])/HCV protease inhibitors (decrease [e.g., boceprevir and telaprevir]) or with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (decrease [e.g., nevirapine] or increase [e.g., etravirine]).
Concomitant Use with HCV Combination Therapy – Liver Enzyme Elevation: Do not co-administer Tri-Legest ® Fe with HCV drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to potential for ALT elevations (see WARNINGS , RISK OF LIVER ENZYME ELEVATIONS WITH CONCOMITANT HEPATITIS C TREATMENT ). Other: Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase plasma ethinyl estradiol concentrations, possibly by inhibition of conjugation.
A reduction in contraceptive effectiveness and increased incidence of breakthrough bleeding has been suggested with phenylbutazone. Effects of Combined Oral Contraceptives on Other Drugs COCs containing ethinyl estradiol may inhibit the metabolism of other compounds (e.g., cyclosporine, prednisolone, theophylline, tizanidine, and voriconazole) and increase their plasma concentrations. COCs have been shown to decrease plasma concentrations of acetaminophen, clofibric acid, morphine, salicylic acid, temazepam and lamotrigine.
Significant decrease in plasma concentration of lamotrigine has been shown, 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 the serum concentration of thyroid-binding globulin increase with use of COCs.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
11. Pregnancy See CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS sections.
Adverse reactions
Post Marketing 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 to 1.12 (Figure 4). Three studies compared breast cancer risk between current or recent COC users (<6 months since last use) and never users of COCs (Figure 4). 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 to 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 to 10 years of COC use. Figure 4: Relevant Studies of Risk of Breast Cancer with Combined Oral Contraceptives 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.
An increased risk of the following serious adverse reactions has been associated with the use of combined oral contraceptives (see WARNINGS section): Thrombophlebitis Arterial thromboembolism Pulmonary embolism Myocardial infarction Cerebral hemorrhage Cerebral thrombosis Hypertension Gallbladder disease Hepatic adenomas or benign liver tumors There is evidence of an association between the following conditions and the use of combined oral contraceptives, although additional confirmatory studies are needed: Mesenteric thrombosis Retinal thrombosis The following adverse reactions have been reported in patients receiving combined oral contraceptives and are believed to be drug-related: Nausea Vomiting Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal cramps and bloating) Breakthrough bleeding Spotting Change in menstrual flow Amenorrhea Temporary infertility after discontinuation of treatment Edema Melasma which may persist Breast changes: tenderness, enlargement, secretion Change in weight (increase or decrease) Change in cervical erosion and secretion Diminution in lactation when given immediately postpartum Cholestatic jaundice Migraine Rash (allergic) Mental depression Mood swings Reduced tolerance to carbohydrates Vaginal candidiasis Change in corneal curvature (steepening) Intolerance to contact lenses The following adverse reactions have been reported in users of combined oral contraceptives and the association has been neither confirmed nor refuted: Pre-menstrual syndrome Cataracts Changes in appetite Cystitis-like syndrome Headache Nervousness Dizziness Hirsutism Loss of scalp hair Erythema multiforme Erythema nodosum Hemorrhagic eruption Vaginitis Porphyria Impaired renal function Hemolytic uremic syndrome Budd-Chiari syndrome Acne Changes in libido Colitis To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE EVENTS, contact Teva at 1-888-838-2872 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch for voluntary reporting of adverse reactions. 1
Prognia shows this product information for reference and learning. It is not treatment advice and can lag behind the official text. Always check the current product information and local protocols before prescribing.
