Bijuva Drug Information

Cardiovascular Disorders BIJUVA is contraindicated in females with active DVT, PE, arterial thromboembolic disease (e.g., stroke, MI) disease, or a history of these conditions. Immediately discontinue BIJUVA if a PE, DVT, stroke, or MI occurs or is suspected. If feasible, discontinue BIJUVA at least 4 to 6 weeks before surgery of the type associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, or during periods of prolonged immobilization.

The safety and efficacy of BIJUVA for the prevention of cardiovascular disorders has not been established. The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen plus progestin trial reported increased risks of PE, DVT, stroke, and MI in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age, average age 63.4 years) during the 5.6 years of treatment with daily oral conjugated estrogens (CE) combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), relative to placebo. Analyses were also conducted in women aged 50-59 years, a group of women more likely to present with new onset of moderate to severe VMS compared to women in other age groups in the trial.

Only daily oral 0.625 mg CE and 2.5 mg MPA were studied in the estrogen plus progestin trial of the WHI. Therefore, the relevance of the WHI findings regarding adverse cardiovascular events 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.

In the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) and open label extension (HERS II), postmenopausal women with documented heart disease (n=2,763, average age 66.7 years) received daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA or placebo. In Year 1, there were more CHD events in the CE plus MPA-treated group than placebo; however, rates of CHD events were comparable among both groups for the remainder of the duration of the studies (average total follow-up of 6.8 years). 2, 3

Malignant Neoplasms Breast Cancer BIJUVA is contraindicated in women with breast cancer, a history of breast cancer, or estrogen-dependent neoplasia. Discontinue BIJUVA if a hormone-sensitive malignancy is diagnosed.The use of estrogen plus progestin therapy has been reported to result in an increase in abnormal mammograms requiring further evaluation. Invasive breast cancers were larger, were more likely to be node positive, and were diagnosed at a more advanced stage in the CE/MPA group compared with the placebo group.

Metastatic disease was rare, with no apparent difference between the two groups. Other prognostic factors, such as histologic subtype, grade and hormone receptor status did not differ between the groups. Extension of the WHI trial also demonstrated increased breast cancer risk associated with estrogen plus progestin therapy. 1 Consistent with the WHI trial, observational studies have also reported an increased risk of breast cancer with estrogen plus progestin therapy.

These studies have not generally found the risk of breast cancer to be different among the various estrogen plus progestin combinations, doses, or routes of administration. 4 Regarding breast cancer mortality, the WHI estrogen plus progestin trial did not show a statistically significant difference between CE/MPA and placebo. A large meta-analysis including 17 prospective studies of postmenopausal women compared current use of estrogen plus progestin products versus never use and reported a relative risk for ovarian cancer of 1.37 (95% CI, 1.26-1.48). The duration of hormone therapy use that was associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer is unknown. 5

Gallbladder Disease A 2- to 4-fold increase in the risk of gallbladder disease requiring surgery in postmenopausal women receiving estrogens has been reported.

Hypercalcemia

Estrogen administration may lead to severe hypercalcemia in women with breast cancer and bone metastases. Discontinue estrogens, including BIJUVA if hypercalcemia occurs, and take appropriate measures to reduce the serum calcium level.

Visual Abnormalities

Retinal vascular thrombosis has been reported in women receiving estrogens. Discontinue BIJUVA pending examination if there is a sudden partial or complete loss of vision, or a sudden onset of proptosis, diplopia, or migraine. Permanently discontinue estrogens, including BIJUVA, if examination reveals papilledema or retinal vascular lesions.

Elevated Blood Pressure In a small number of case reports, substantial increases in blood pressure have been attributed to idiosyncratic reactions to estrogens. In a large, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, a generalized effect of estrogens on blood pressure was not seen.

Exacerbation of Hypertriglyceridemia

In women with pre-existing hypertriglyceridemia, estrogen therapy may be associated with elevations of plasma triglycerides leading to pancreatitis. Discontinue BIJUVA if pancreatitis occurs.

Hepatic

Impairment and/or Past History of Cholestatic Jaundice Estrogens may be poorly metabolized in women with hepatic impairment. Exercise caution in any woman with a history of cholestatic jaundice associated with past estrogen use or with pregnancy. In the case of recurrence of cholestatic jaundice, discontinue BIJUVA.

Exacerbation of Hypothyroidism

Estrogen administration leads to increased thyroid-binding globulin (TBG) levels. Women with normal thyroid function can compensate for the increased TBG by making more thyroid hormone, thus maintaining free T4 and T3 serum concentrations in the normal range. Women dependent on thyroid hormone replacement therapy who are also receiving estrogens may require increased doses of their thyroid replacement therapy.

Monitor thyroid function in these women during treatment with BIJUVA to maintain their free thyroid hormone levels in an acceptable range.

Fluid Retention

Estrogens plus progestogens may cause some degree of fluid retention. Monitor any woman with a condition(s) that might predispose her to fluid retention, such as cardiac or renal impairment. Discontinue estrogen plus progestogen therapy, including BIJUVA, with evidence of medically concerning fluid retention.

Hypocalcemia

Estrogen-induced hypocalcemia may occur in women with hypoparathyroidism. Consider whether the benefits of estrogen therapy, including BIJUVA, outweigh the risks in such women.

Hereditary Angioedema

Exogenous estrogens may exacerbate symptoms of angioedema in women with hereditary angioedema.

Exacerbation of Other Conditions

Estrogen therapy, including BIJUVA, may cause an exacerbation of asthma, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, migraine, porphyria, systemic lupus erythematosus, and hepatic hemangiomas. Consider whether the benefits of estrogen therapy outweigh the risks in women with such conditions.

Laboratory Tests

Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol levels have not been shown to be useful in the management of postmenopausal women with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms.

Drug Laboratory Test Interactions

Accelerated prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and platelet aggregation time; increased platelet count; increased factors II, VII antigen, VIII antigen, VIII coagulant activity, IX, X, XII, VII-X complex, II-VII-X complex, and beta-thromboglobulin; decreased levels of antifactor Xa and antithrombin III, decreased antithrombin III activity; increased levels of fibrinogen and fibrinogen activity; increased plasminogen antigen and activity. Increased thyroid-binding globulin (TBG) levels leading to increased circulating total thyroid hormone as measured by protein-bound iodine (PBI), T4 levels (by column or by radioimmunoassay) or T3 levels by radioimmunoassay. T3 resin uptake is decreased, reflecting the elevated TBG.

Free T4 and free T3 concentrations are unaltered. Other binding proteins may be elevated in serum, for example, corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), leading to increased total circulating corticosteroids and sex steroids, respectively. Free hormone concentrations, such as testosterone and estradiol, may be decreased.

Other plasma proteins may be increased (angiotensinogen/renin substrate, alpha-1-antitrypsin, ceruloplasmin). Increased plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and HDL2 cholesterol subfraction concentrations, reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations, increased triglyceride levels. Impaired glucose tolerance.