Twirla Drug Information

is indicated as a method of contraception for use in women of reproductive potential with a BMI < 30 kg/m 2 for whom a combined hormonal contraceptive is appropriate. Limitation of Use Consider TWIRLA’s reduced effectiveness in women with a BMI ≥ 25 to < 30 kg/m 2 before prescribing TWIRLA . TWIRLA is contraindicated in women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 . TWIRLA is a combination of levonorgestrel, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen, indicated as a method of contraception for use in women of reproductive potential with a BMI < 30 kg/m 2 for whom a combined hormonal contraceptive is appropriate. Limitation of Use Consider TWIRLA’s reduced effectiveness in women with a BMI ≥ 25 to < 30 kg/m 2 before prescribing.

Clinical Trial Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of one product cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another product and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of TWIRLA was evaluated in a 12-month, multicenter, open-label, single-arm clinical trial (NCT02158572) conducted in the United States . Women applied TWIRLA (120 mcg LNG/30 mcg EE) for 13 28-day treatment cycles. One treatment cycle is defined as three consecutive weeks that one TWIRLA TDS is applied for seven-day wear followed by one week that TWIRLA is not applied.

The safety population for this clinical trial was composed of 2,031 women that contributed 18,841 treatment cycles of exposure. Of these 2,031 women, 989 women completed 13 treatment cycles. The mean age was 27.5 years.

The mean BMI for the safety population was 28.3 kg/m 2. The BMI of the safety population was widely distributed: 39.4% had a BMI < 25 kg/m 2, 25.3% had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 and < 30 kg/m 2, and 35.3% had a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2. For women who received TWIRLA, the most common reasons for discontinuation from the study were a womans decision (15.3%) and lost to follow-up (11.3%). Discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 10.9% of women. The most common (≥ 2%) adverse reactions leading to discontinuation were application site disorder (3.1%) and any bleeding irregularities (2.2%). The most common adverse reactions that occurred in ≥ 2% of the 2,031 women that used TWIRLA are shown in Table 3. Table 3: Adverse Drug Reactions Reported by 2% of TWIRLA-Treated Women in One Phase 3 Clinical Trial Adverse reaction TWIRLA (n=2,031) General disorders and administration site conditions Application site disorder Represents a bundle of similar terms that include the following adverse reactions: application site acne, hemorrhage, pustules, dermatitis, hypersensitivity, rash, discoloration, induration, reaction, dryness, irritation, ulcer, erosion, pain, urticaria, erythema, papules, vesicles, exfoliation, pruritis. 6.2% Gastrointestinal disorders Nausea 4.1% Nervous system disorders Headache 3.6% Reproductive system and breast disorder Dysmenorrhoea 2.3% Investigations Weight increased 2.0% Venous Thromboembolic Events (VTEs) A total of four VTEs (including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis) in TWIRLA-treated patients were identified in the clinical trial. Of these, all were in women with a BMI > 30 kg/m 2 . Other Serious Adverse Reactions The following serious adverse reactions occurred in < 1% of women who received TWIRLA: cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, major depression, suicidal ideation, appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, pneumonia, and gastroenteritis.

Postmarketing Experience Five studies that compared breast cancer risk between ever-users (current

or past use) of combined oral contraceptives (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 - 1.12 (Figure 2). Three studies compared breast cancer risk between current or recent COC users (<6 months since last use) and never users of COCs (Figure 2). 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 - 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 8-10 years of COC use.

Figure 2. 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. image description

Effects of Other Drugs on Combined Hormonal Contraceptives Substances Decreasing Plasma Concentration

of CHCs and Potentially Diminishing the Efficacy of CHCs: Table 4 includes substances that demonstrated an important drug interaction with TWIRLA. Table 4: Significant Drug Interactions Involving Substances That Affect CHCs Metabolic Enzyme Inducers Clinical effect Concomitant use of CHCs with metabolic enzyme inducers may decrease the plasma concentrations of the estrogen and/or progestin component of CHCs. Decreased exposure of the estrogen and/or progestin component of CHCs may potentially diminish the effectiveness of CHCs and may lead to contraceptive failure or an increase in breakthrough bleeding. Prevention or management Counsel women to use an alternative method of contraception or a backup method when enzyme inducers are used with CHCs.

Continue backup contraception for 28 days after discontinuing the enzyme inducer to maintain contraceptive reliability. Examples Aprepitant, barbiturates, bosentan, carbamazepine, efavirenz, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, rifabutin, rufinamide, topiramate, products containing St. John’s wort, Induction potency of St.

John’s wort may vary widely based on preparation. and certain protease inhibitors (see separate section on protease inhibitors below). Colesevelam Clinical effect Concomitant use of CHCs with Colesevelam significantly decreases systemic exposure of ethinyl estradiol . Decreased exposure of the estrogen component of CHCs may potentially reduce contraceptive efficacy or result in an increase in breakthrough bleeding, depending on the strength of ethinyl estradiol in the CHC. Prevention or management Administer 4 or more hours apart to attenuate this drug interaction. Substances increasing the systemic exposure of CHCs : Co-administration of atorvastatin or rosuvastatin and CHCs containing ethinyl estradiol increase systemic exposure of ethinyl estradiol by approximately 20 to 25 percent. Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase systemic exposure of ethinyl estradiol, possibly by inhibition of conjugation.

CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, grapefruit juice, or ketoconazole may increase systemic exposure of the estrogen and/or progestin component of CHCs. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors: Significant decreases in systemic exposure of the estrogen and/or progestin have been noted when CHCs are co-administered with some HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, (fos)amprenavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, and tipranavir/ritonavir), some HCV protease inhibitors (e.g., boceprevir and telaprevir), and some non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., nevirapine). In contrast, significant increases in systemic exposure of the estrogen and/or progestin have been noted when CHCs are co-administered with certain other HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir and atazanavir/ritonavir) and with other non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., etravirine).

Effects of Combined Hormonal Contraceptives on Other Drugs Table 5 provides significant

drug interaction information for drugs co-administered with TWIRLA. Table 5: Significant Drug Interaction Information for Drugs Co-Administered with CHCs Lamotrigine Clinical effect Concomitant use of CHCs with lamotrigine may significantly decrease systemic exposure of lamotrigine due to induction of lamotrigine glucuronidation . Decreased systemic exposure of lamotrigine may reduce seizure control. Prevention or management Dose adjustment may be necessary. Consult the approved product labeling for lamotrigine.

Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy or Corticosteroid Replacement Therapy Clinical effect Concomitant use of CHCs with thyroid hormone replacement therapy or corticosteroid replacement therapy may increase systemic exposure of thyroid-binding and cortisol-binding globulin . Prevention or management The dose of replacement thyroid hormone or cortisol therapy may need to be increased. Consult the approved product labeling for the therapy in use. . Other Drugs Clinical effect Concomitant use of CHCs may decrease systemic exposure of acetaminophen, morphine, salicylic acid, and temazepam. Concomitant use with ethinyl estradiol-containing CHCs may increase systemic exposure of other drugs (e.g., cyclosporine, prednisolone, theophylline, tizanidine, and voriconazole). Prevention or management The dosage of drugs that can be affected by this interaction may need to be increased.

Consult the approved product labeling for the concomitantly used drug.

Effect on Laboratory Tests

The use of CHCs may influence the results of some laboratory tests, such as coagulation factors, lipids, glucose tolerance, and binding proteins.

Concomitant Use with

HCV Combination Therapy – Liver Enzyme Elevation CHCs are contraindicated for use with Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir . Discontinue TWIRLA prior to starting therapy with the combination drug regimen ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir. TWIRLA can be restarted approximately 2 weeks following completion of treatment with the Hepatitis C combination drug regimen.

Pregnancy Risk Summary TWIRLA is contraindicated in pregnancy because there is no reason to use CHCs in pregnancy. Discontinue TWIRLA if pregnancy occurs. Epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses have not found an increased risk of genital or non-genital birth defects (including cardiac anomalies and limb-reduction defects) following exposure to CHCs before conception or during early pregnancy.

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively.

Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of TWIRLA as a method of contraception have been established in females of reproductive potential with a BMI < 30 kg/m 2. Efficacy is expected to be the same in postmenarcheal females regardless of age. TWIRLA is not indicated in females before menarche.

Twirla is contraindicated in females who are known to have or develop the following conditions: At high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases. Examples include women who Smoke, if over age 35 Have current or history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism Have cerebrovascular disease Have coronary artery disease Have thrombogenic valvular or thrombogenic rhythm diseases of the heart (for example, subacute bacterial endocarditis with valvular disease, or atrial fibrillation) Have inherited or acquired hypercoagulopathies Have uncontrolled hypertension or hypertension with vascular disease Have diabetes mellitus and are over age 35, diabetes mellitus with hypertension or vascular disease or other end-organ damage, or diabetes mellitus of > 20 years duration Have headaches with focal neurological symptoms, migraine headaches with aura Women over age 35 with any migraine headaches BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2. Compared to women with a lower BMI, women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 had reduced effectiveness and may have a higher risk for VTEs. Liver tumors (benign or malignant), acute viral hepatitis, or severe (decompensated) cirrhosis, or liver disease Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding Pregnancy, because there is no reason to use CHCs during pregnancy Current diagnosis of, or history of, breast cancer, which may be hormone-sensitive Hypersensitivity to any components of TWIRLA. Observed reactions include itching and irritation at the TDS application site Use of Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to the potential for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations High risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases Breast cancer BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 Liver tumors, acute viral hepatitis or decompensated cirrhosis Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding Pregnancy Hypersensitivity reactions to components of TWIRLA Use of Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir

There have been no reports of serious adverse outcomes from overdose of CHCs, including ingestion by children. Overdose may cause uterine bleeding in women and nausea. In case of suspected overdose, the TWIRLA TDS should be removed and symptomatic treatment given.