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warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Vascular risks: Stop if a thrombotic or thromboembolic event occurs. Stop at least 4 weeks before and through 2 weeks after major surgery. Start no earlier than 4 weeks after delivery, in women who are not breastfeeding. Consider cardiovascular risk factors before initiating in all females, particularly those over 35 years. ( 5.1 , 5.5 ) • Liver disease: Discontinue if jaundice occurs. ( 5.2 ) • Hypertension: If used in females with well-controlled hypertension, monitor blood pressure and stop if blood pressure rises significantly. ( 5.3 ) • Gallbladder disease: May cause or worsen gallbladder disease. ( 5.6 ) • Adverse carbohydrate and lipid metabolic effects: Monitor glucose in prediabetic and diabetic women taking Ashlyna. Consider an alternate contraceptive method for women with uncontrolled dyslipidemias. ( 5.7 ) • Headache: Evaluate significant change in headaches and discontinue if indicated. ( 5.8 ) • Uterine bleeding: May cause irregular bleeding or amenorrhea. Evaluate for other causes if symptoms persist. ( 5.9 ) 5.1 Thromboembolic Disorders and Other Vascular Conditions • Stop levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets if an arterial or deep venous thrombotic/ thrombembolic event occurs. • Stop levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets if there is unexplained loss of vision, proptosis, diplopia, papilledema, or retinal vascular lesions and evaluate for retinal vein thrombosis immediately. • Discontinue levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets during prolonged immobilization. If feasible, stop levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets at least 4 weeks before and through 2 weeks after major surgery, or other surgeries known to have an elevated risk of thromboembolism. • Start levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets no earlier than 4 weeks after delivery, in women who are not breastfeeding. The risk of postpartum thromboembolism decreases after the third postpartum week, whereas the risk of ovulation increases after the third postpartum week. • Before starting levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets evaluate any past medical history or family history of thrombotic or thromboembolic disorders and consider whether the history suggests an inherited or acquired hypercoagulopathy. Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets are contraindicated in women with a high risk of arterial or venous/thromboembolic diseases [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Arterial Events COCs increase the risk of cardiovascular events and cerebrovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. The risk is greater among older women (> 35 years of age), smokers, and females with hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, or obesity. levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets are contraindicated in women over 35 years of age who smoke [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from COC use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. Venous Events Use of COCs increases the risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs), such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Risk factors for VTEs include smoking, obesity, and family history of VTE, in addition to other factors that contraindicate use of CHCs [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . While the increased risk of VTE associated with use of COCs is well-established, the rates of VTE are even greater during pregnancy, and especially during the postpartum period (see Figure 1). The rate of VTE in females using COCs has been estimated to be 3 to 9 cases per 10,000 woman years. The risk of VTE is highest during the first year of use of a COC and when restarting hormonal contraception after a break of four weeks or longer. The risk of thromboembolic disease due to COCs gradually disappears after COC use is discontinued. Figure 1 shows the risk of developing a VTE for women who are not pregnant and do not use oral contraceptives, for women who use oral contraceptives, and for women in the postpartum period. To put the risk of developing a VTE into perspective: If 10,000 women who are not pregnant and do not use oral contraceptives are followed for one year, between 1 and 5 of these women will develop a VTE. Use of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets provides women with more hormonal exposure on a yearly basis than conventional monthly oral contraceptives containing the same strength synthetic estrogens and progestins (an additional 9 and 13 weeks of exposure to progestin and estrogen, respectively, per year). figure1 5.2 Liver Disease Elevated Liver Enzymes Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets are contraindicated in women with acute viral hepatitis or severe (decompensated) cirrhosis of the liver [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Acute liver test abnormalities may necessitate the discontinuation of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets until the liver tests return to normal and levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets causation has been excluded. Discontinue levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets if jaundice develops. Liver Tumors levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets are contraindicated in women with benign or malignant liver tumors [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . COCs increase the risk of hepatic adenomas. An estimate of the attributable risk is 3.3 cases/100,000 COC users. Rupture of hepatic adenomas may cause death from abdominal hemorrhage. Studies have shown an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in long-term (> 8 years) COC users. The attributable risk of liver cancers in COC users is less than one case per million users. 5.3 Hypertension Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets are contraindicated in women with uncontrolled hypertension or hypertension with vascular disease [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . For all women, including those with well-controlled hypertension, monitor blood pressure at routine visits and stop levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets if blood pressure rises significantly. An increase in blood pressure has been reported in women taking COCs, and this increase is more likely in older women and with extended duration of use. The effect of COCs on blood pressure may vary according to the progestin in the COC. 5.4 Risk of Liver Enzyme Elevations with Concomitant Hepatitis C Treatment During clinical trials with the Hepatitis C combination drug regimen that contains obmitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, ALT elevations greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), including some cases greater than 20 times the ULN, were significantly more frequent in women using ethinyl estradiol-containing medications, such as levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets. Discontinue levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets prior to starting therapy with the combination drug regimen ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets can be restarted approximately 2 weeks following completion of treatment with the Hepatitis C combination drug regimen. 5.5 Age-related Considerations The risk for cardiovascular disease and prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease increases with age. Certain conditions, such as smoking and migraine headache without aura, that do not contraindicate COC use in younger females, are contraindications to use in women over 35 years of age [see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Consider the presence of underlying risk factors that may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease or VTE, particularly before initiating a COC for women over 35 years, such as: • Hypertension • Diabetes • Dyslipidemia • Obesity 5.6 Gallbladder Disease Studies suggest a small increased relative risk of developing gallbladder disease among COC users. Use of COCs, including levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets, may also worsen existing gallbladder disease. A past history of COC-related cholestasis predicts an increased risk with subsequent COC use. Females with a history of pregnancy-related cholestasis may be at an increased risk for COC-related cholestasis. 5.7 Adverse Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolic Effects Hyperglycemia Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets are contraindicated in diabetic women over age 35, or females who have diabetes with hypertension, nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, other vascular disease, or females with diabetes of > 20 years duration [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets may decrease glucose tolerance. Carefully monitor prediabetic and diabetic women who are taking levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets. Dyslipidemia Consider alternative contraception for women with uncontrolled dyslipidemia. Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets may cause adverse lipid changes. Women with hypertriglyceridemia, or a family history thereof, may have an increase in serum triglyceride concentrations when using levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets, which may increase the risk of pancreatitis. 5.8 Headache Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets are contraindicated in females who have headaches with focal neurological symptoms or have migraine headaches with aura, and in women over 35 years of age who have migraine headaches with or without aura [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . If a woman taking levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets develops new headaches that are recurrent, persistent, or severe, evaluate the cause and discontinue levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets if indicated. Consider discontinuation of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets if there is an increased frequency or severity of migraine during COC use (which may be prodromal of a cerebrovascular event). 5.9 Bleeding Irregularities and Amenorrhea Unscheduled Bleeding and Spotting Women using levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets may experience unscheduled (breakthrough or intracyclic) bleeding and spotting, especially during the first 3 months of use. Bleeding irregularities may resolve over time or by changing to a different contraceptive product. If unscheduled bleeding persists or occurs after previously regular cycles, evaluate for causes such as pregnancy or malignancy. When prescribing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets, the occurrence of fewer planned menses (4 per year instead of 13 per year) should be weighed against the occurrence of increased unscheduled bleeding and/or spotting. The primary clinical trial (PSE-301) that evaluated the efficacy of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets also assessed unscheduled bleeding. The participants in the 12-month clinical trial (N=1,006) completed the equivalent of 8,681 28-day cycles of exposure and were composed primarily of women who had used oral contraceptives previously (89%) as opposed to new users (11%). A total of 82 (8.2%) of the women discontinued levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets, at least in part, due to bleeding or spotting. Scheduled (withdrawal) bleeding and/or spotting remained fairly constant over time, with an average of 3 days of bleeding and/or spotting per each 91-day cycle. Unscheduled bleeding and unscheduled spotting decreased over successive 91-day cycles. Table 1 below presents the number of days with unscheduled bleeding in treatment cycles 1 and 4. Table 2 presents the number of days with unscheduled spotting in treatment cycles 1 and 4. Table 2: Total Number of Days with Unscheduled Bleeding 91-Day Treatment Cycle Days per 84-Day Interval Days per 28-Day Interval Q1 Median Q3 Mean Mean 1st 1 4 10 6.9 1.7 4th 0 1 4 3.2 0.8 Q1=Quartile 1: 25% of women had this number of days of unscheduled bleeding Median: 50% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled bleeding Q3=Quartile 3: 75% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled bleeding Table 3: Total Number of Days with Unscheduled Spotting 91-Day Treatment Cycle Days per 84-Day Interval Days per 28-Day Interval Q1 Median Q3 Mean Mean 1st 1 4 11 7.4 1.9 4th 0 2 7 4.4 1.1 Q1=Quartile 1: 25% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled spotting Median: 50% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled spotting Q3=Quartile 3: 75% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled spotting Figure 2 shows the percentage of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets subjects participating in trial PSE-301 with ≥ 7 days or ≥ 20 days of unscheduled bleeding and/or spotting, or only unscheduled bleeding, during each 91-day treatment cycle. Figure 2: Percent of Women Taking Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets who Reported Unscheduled Bleeding and/or Spotting or only Unscheduled Bleeding If unscheduled spotting or bleeding occurs, instruct the patient to continue on the same regimen. If the bleeding is persistent or prolonged, advise the patient to consult her healthcare provider. Amenorrhea and Oligomenorrhea Women who use levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets may experience absence of scheduled (withdrawal) bleeding, even if they are not pregnant. If scheduled bleeding does not occur, consider the possibility of pregnancy. After discontinuation of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets, amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea may occur, especially if these conditions were pre-existent. figure2 5.10 Depression Carefully observe women with a history of depression and discontinue levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets if depression recurs to a serious degree. Data on the association of COCs with the onset of depression or exacerbation of existing depression are limited. 5.11 Malignant Neoplasms Breast Cancer Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets are contraindicated in females who currently have or have had breast cancer because breast cancer may be hormonally sensitive [see Contraindications ( 4 )]. Epidemiology studies have not found a consistent association between use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and breast cancer risk. Studies do not show an association between ever (current or past) use of COCs and risk of breast cancer. However, some studies report a small increase in the risk of breast cancer among current or recent users (<6 months since last use) and current users with longer duration of COC use [see Postmarketing Experience ( 6.2 )] . Cervical Cancer Some studies suggest that COCs are associated with an increase in the risk of cervical cancer or intraepithelial neoplasia. However, there is controversy about the extent to which these findings are due to differences in sexual behavior and other factors. 5.12 Effect on Binding Globulins The estrogen component of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets may raise the serum concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin, sex hormone-binding globulin, and cortisol-binding globulin. The dose of replacement thyroid hormone or cortisol therapy may need to be increased. 5.13 Hereditary Angioedema In females with hereditary angioedema, exogenous estrogens, including levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets, may induce or exacerbate symptoms of hereditary angioedema. 5.14 Chloasma Chloasma may occur with levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets use, especially in women with a history of chloasma gravidarum. Advise women with a history of chloasma to avoid exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation while using levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets and ethinyl estradiol tablets.