Jevantique Lo

Jevantique Lo is contraindicated in women with any of the following conditions:

• Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding
  
• Known, suspected, or history of breast cancer
  
• Known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia
  
• Active DVT, PE or a history of these conditions
  
• Active arterial thromboembolic disease (for example, stroke and MI), or a history of these conditions
  
• Known anaphylactic reaction or angioedema to Jevantique Lo
  
• Known liver impairment or disease
  
• Known protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency, or other known thrombophilic disorders
  
• Known or suspected pregnancy

The following serious adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling:

• Cardiovascular Disorders [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
  
• Malignant Neoplasms [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

6.1       Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Adverse reactions reported by ≥5 percent of subjects in controlled clinical studies of Jevantique Lo are shown in Table 1.  

*  The total number of subjects for each body system may be less than the number of subjects with AEs in that body system because a subject may have had more than one AE per body system

6.2       Postmarketing Experience

The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Jevantique Lo. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Genitourinary System

Changes in vaginal bleeding pattern and abnormal withdrawal bleeding or flow; breakthrough bleeding; spotting; increase in size of uterine leiomyomata, vaginitis, including vaginal candidiasis; change in amount of cervical secretion; changes in cervical ectropion; ovarian cancer; endometrial hyperplasia; endometrial cancer; uterine cancer; vaginal hemorrhage; ovarian cyst; irregular menstruation; metrorrhagia; menorrhagia; dysmenorrhea; uterine enlargement.

Breasts

Tenderness, enlargement, breast pain, nipple pain, nipple discharge, galactorrhea; fibrocystic breast changes; breast cancer; breast disorder; breast mass; breast enlargement.

Cardiovascular

Deep and superficial venous thrombosis; pulmonary embolism; thrombophlebitis; thrombosis; chest pain; myocardial infarction; cerebrovascular accident (stroke); transient ischemic attack; hemiparesis; increase in blood pressure; irregular heart rate; palpitations; dyspnea.

Gastrointestinal

Nausea, vomiting; cholestatic jaundice; pancreatitis, enlargement of hepatic hemangiomas; bloating, abdominal cramps; abdominal pain; increased incidence of gallbladder disease; cholecystitis; cholelithiasis.

Skin

Chloasma or melasma that may persist when drug is discontinued; generalized erythema; erythema multiforme; erythema nodosum; hemorrhagic eruption; loss of scalp hair; hirsutism; rash, pruritus.

Eyes

Retinal vascular thrombosis; visual impairment; intolerance to contact lenses.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Headache; migraine; dizziness; depression; chorea; nervousness; mood disturbances; irritability; exacerbation of epilepsy, dementia; paresthesia; insomnia.

Miscellaneous

Increase or decrease in weight; reduced carbohydrate tolerance; aggravation of porphyria; edema; arthralgias; leg cramps; back pain; changes in libido; urticaria, angioedema, anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reactions; hypocalcemia; exacerbation of asthma; increased triglycerides; blood glucose abnormal; fatigue; myalgia; hypersensitivity.

8.1       Pregnancy

Jevantique Lo should not be used during pregnancy [see Contraindications (4)]. There appears to be little or no increased risk of birth defects in children born to women who have used estrogens and progestins as an oral contraceptive inadvertently during early pregnancy.

8.3       Nursing Mothers

Jevantique Lo should not be used during lactation. Estrogen administration to nursing women has been shown to decrease the quantity and quality of the breast milk. Detectable amounts of estrogen and progestin have been identified in the breast milk of women receiving estrogen plus progestin therapy. Caution should be exercised when Jevantique Lo is administered to a nursing woman.

8.4       Pediatric Use

Jevantique Lo is not indicated in children. Clinical studies have not been conducted in the pediatric population. 

8.5       Geriatric Use

There have not been sufficient numbers of geriatric women involved in clinical studies utilizing Jevantique Lo to determine whether those over 65 years of age differ from younger subjects in their response to Jevantique Lo.

The Women’s Health Initiative Studies

In the WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy (daily CE [0.625 mg] plus MPA [2.5 mg] versus placebo), there was a higher relative risk of nonfatal stroke and invasive breast cancer in women greater than 65 years of age [see Clinical Studies (14.5)].

In the WHI estrogen-alone substudy (daily CE [0.625 mg]-alone versus placebo), there was a higher relative risk of stroke in women greater than 65 years of age [see Clinical Studies (14.5)].

The Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study

In the WHIMS ancillary studies of postmenopausal women 65 to 79 years of age, there was an increased risk of developing probable dementia in women receiving estrogen plus progestin or estrogen-alone when compared to placebo [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3), and Clinical Studies (14.6)].

Since both ancillary studies were conducted in women 65 to 79 years of age, it is unknown whether these findings apply to younger postmenopausal women8[see Warnings and Precautions (5.3), and Clinical Studies (14.6)].

8.6       Renal Impairment

The effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of Jevantique Lo has not been studied.

8.7       Hepatic Impairment

The effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of Jevantique Lo has not been studied.

Jevantique Lo (norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol tablets) is a continuous dosage regimen of a progestin-estrogen combination for oral administration.

The following strength of Jevantique Lo tablets is available:

Jevantique Lo (0.5 mg/2.5 mcg): Each oval white tablet contains 0.5 mg norethindrone acetate and 2.5 mcg ethinyl estradiol

Each tablet also contains the following inactive ingredients: calcium stearate, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose and corn starch.

The structural formulas are as follows.

Ethinyl Estradiol [19-Norpregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-20-yne-3,17-diol, (17α)-];
Molecular Weight: 296.41
Molecular Formula: C20H24O2

Norethindrone Acetate [19-Norpregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one,7(acetyloxy)-, (17α)-];
Molecular Weight: 340.47
Molecular Formula: C22H28O3

12.1       Mechanism of Action

Endogenous estrogens are largely responsible for the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics. Although circulating estrogens exist in a dynamic equilibrium of metabolic interconversions, estradiol is the principal intracellular human estrogen and is substantially more potent than its metabolites, estrone and estriol, at the receptor level.

The primary source of estrogen in normally cycling adult women is the ovarian follicle, which secretes 70 to 500 mcg of estradiol daily, depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. After menopause, most endogenous estrogen is produced by conversion of androstenedione, which is secreted by the adrenal cortex, to estrone in the peripheral tissues. Thus, estrone and the sulfate conjugated form, estrone sulfate, are the most abundant circulating estrogens in postmenopausal women. The pharmacologic effects of ethinyl estradiol are similar to those of endogenous estrogens.

Estrogens act through binding to nuclear receptors in estrogen-responsive tissues. To date, two estrogen receptors have been identified. These vary in proportion from tissue to tissue.

Circulating estrogens modulate the pituitary secretion of the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH through a negative feedback mechanism. Estrogens act to reduce the elevated levels of these hormones seen in postmenopausal women.

Progestin compounds enhance cellular differentiation and generally oppose the actions of estrogens by decreasing estrogen receptor levels, increasing local metabolism of estrogens to less active metabolites, or inducing gene products that blunt cellular responses to estrogen. Progestins exert their effects in target cells by binding to specific progesterone receptors that interact with progesterone response elements in target genes.  Progesterone receptors have been identified in the female reproductive tract, breast, pituitary, hypothalamus, bone, skeletal tissue and central nervous system. Progestins produce similar endometrial changes to those of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone.

12.2       Pharmacodynamics

Currently, there are no pharmacodynamic data known for Jevantique Lo.

12.3       Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Norethindrone acetate (NA) is completely deacetylated to norethindrone after oral administration, and the disposition of norethindrone acetate is indistinguishable from that of orally administered norethindrone. Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol (EE) are absorbed from Jevantique Lo tablets, with maximum plasma concentrations of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol generally occurring 1 to 2 hours postdose. Both are subject to first-pass metabolism after oral dosing, resulting in an absolute bioavailability of approximately 64 percent for norethindrone and 55 percent for ethinyl estradiol. Bioavailability of Jevantique Lo tablets is similar to that from solution for norethindrone and slightly less for ethinyl estradiol. Administration of Jevantique Lo tablets with a high fat meal decreases rate but not extent of ethinyl estradiol absorption. The extent of norethindrone absorption is increased by 27 percent following administration of Jevantique Lo tablets with food.

The full pharmacokinetic profile of Jevantique Lo tablets was not characterized due to assay sensitivity limitations. However, the multiple-dose pharmacokinetics were studied at a dose of 1 mg NA/10 mcg EE in 18 post-menopausal women. Mean plasma concentrations are shown below (Figure 1) and pharmacokinetic parameters are found in Table 2. Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis, mean steady-state concentrations of norethindrone for 1 mg NA/5 mcg EE and 1/10 are slightly more than proportional to dose when compared to 0.5 mg NA/2.5 mcg EE tablets. It can be explained by higher SHBG concentrations. Mean steady-state plasma concentrations of ethinyl estradiol for the Jevantique Lo 0.5/2.5 tablets and 1NAEE 1/5 tablets are proportional to dose, but there is a less than proportional increase in steady-state concentrations for the NA/EE 1/10 tablet.

Figure 1. Mean Steady-State (Day 87) Plasma Norethindrone and Ethinyl Estradiol Concentrations Following Continuous Oral Administration of 1 mg NA/10 mcg EE Tablets

†  Cmax = Maximum plasma concentration; tmax = time of Cmax; AUC(0-24) = Area under the plasma concentration-time curve over the dosing interval; and CL/F = Apparent oral clearance; t½ = Elimination half-life
‡  ND = Not determined

 Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis, average steady-state concentrations (Css) of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol for NA/EE 1/5 tablets are estimated to be 2.6 ng/mL and 11.4 pg/mL, respectively. Css values of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol for Jevantique Lo 0.5/2.5 tablets are estimated to be 1.1 ng/mL and 5.4 ng/mL, respectively. 

The pharmacokinetics of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate were not affected by age, (age range 40-62 years), in the postmenopausal population studied.

Distribution

The distribution of exogenous estrogens is similar to that of endogenous estrogens. Estrogens are widely distributed in the body and are generally found in higher concentrations in the sex hormone target organs. Estrogens circulate in the blood largely bound to SHBG and albumin.

Volume of distribution of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol ranges from 2 to 4 L/kg. Plasma protein binding of both steroids is extensive (greater than 95 percent); norethindrone binds to both albumin and SHBG, whereas ethinyl estradiol binds only to albumin. Although ethinyl estradiol does not bind to SHBG, it induces SHBG synthesis.

Metabolism

Exogenous estrogens are metabolized in the same manner as endogenous estrogens. Circulating estrogens exist in a dynamic equilibrium of metabolic interconversions. These transformations take place mainly in the liver. Estradiol is converted reversibly to estrone, and both can be converted to estriol, which is a major urinary metabolite. Estrogens also undergo enterohepatic recirculation via sulfate and glucuronide conjugation in the liver, biliary secretion of conjugates into the intestine, and hydrolysis in the intestine followed by reabsorption. In postmenopausal women, a significant proportion of the circulating estrogens exist as sulfate conjugates, especially estrone sulfate, which serves as a circulating reservoir for the formation of more active estrogens.

Norethindrone undergoes extensive biotransformation, primarily via reduction, followed by sulfate and glucuronide conjugation. The majority of metabolites in the circulation are sulfates, with glucuronides accounting for most of the urinary metabolites. A small amount of norethindrone acetate is metabolically converted to ethinyl estradiol, such that exposure to ethinyl estradiol following administration of 1 mg of norethindrone acetate is equivalent to oral administration of 2.8 mcg ethinyl estradiol. Ethinyl estradiol is also extensively metabolized, both by oxidation and by conjugation with sulfate and glucuronide. Sulfates are the major circulating conjugates of ethinyl estradiol and glucuronides predominate in urine. The primary oxidative metabolite is 2-hydroxy ethinyl estradiol, formed by the CYP3A4 isoform of cytochrome P450. Part of the first-pass metabolism of ethinyl estradiol is believed to occur in gastrointestinal mucosa. Ethinyl estradiol may undergo enterohepatic circulation.

Excretion

Estradiol, estrone, and estriol are excreted in the urine along with glucuronide and sulfate conjugates.

Norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol are excreted in both urine and feces, primarily as metabolites. Plasma clearance values for norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol are similar (approximately 0.4 L/hr/kg). Steady-state elimination half-lives of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol following administration of 1 mg NA/10 mcg EE tablets are approximately 13 hours and 24 hours, respectively.

Use in Specific Populations

No pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in specific populations, including women with renal or hepatic impairment.

13.1       Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Long-term continuous administration of natural and synthetic estrogens in certain animal species increases the frequency of carcinomas of the breast, uterus, cervix, vagina, testis, and liver.