Progesterone

WARNINGS 1. Cardiovascular disorders Progesterone capsules are contraindicated in females with active DVT, PE, arterial thromboembolic disease (e.g., stroke, MI) disease, or a history of these conditions (See CONTRAINDICATIONS ). Immediately discontinue progesterone capsules if a PE, DVT, stroke, or MI occurs or is suspected. If feasible, discontinue progesterone capsules 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 estrogen plus progestogen for the prevention of cardiovascular disorders has not been established. (See CLINICAL STUDIES ) 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 5.6 years of treatment with daily oral conjugated estrogens (CE) [0.625 mg] combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) [2.5 mg], 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. (See CLINICAL STUDIES. ) 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. a. Venous Thromboembolism In women aged 50 to 59 years, the WHI estrogen plus progestin trial reported a relative risk for PE of 2.05 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89, 4.71) for CE/MPA compared to placebo, with a risk difference of 6 per 10,000 women- years (WYs; 11 versus 5). The relative risk for DVT was 3.01 (95% CI, 1.36, 6.66) in those receiving CE/MPA compared to placebo, with a risk difference of 10 per 10,000 WYs (15 versus 5). (See CLINICAL STUDIES ). In the overall study population of women aged 50 to 79 years (average 63.4 years), the trial reported a relative risk for PE of 1.98 (95% CI, 1.36, 2.87) for CE/MPA compared to placebo, with a risk difference of 9 per 10,000 WYs (18 versus 9). The relative risk for DVT was 1.87 (95% CI, 1.37, 2.54) for CE/MPA compared to placebo, with a risk difference of 12 per 10,000 WYs (25 versus 14). (See CLINICAL STUDIES ). b. Stroke In women aged 50 to 59 years, the WHI estrogen plus progestin trial reported a relative risk for stroke of 1.51 (95% CI, 0.81, 2.82) for CE/MPA compared to placebo, with a risk difference of 5 per 10,000 WYs (15 versus 10). (See CLINICAL STUDIES ). In the overall study population of women aged 50 to 79 years (average 63.4 years), the WHI estrogen plus progestin trial reported relative risk for stroke of 1.37 (95% CI, 1.07, 1.76) for CE/MPA compared to placebo, with a risk difference of 9 per 10,000 WYs (33 versus 24). (See CLINICAL STUDIES ). c. Coronary Heart Disease In women 50 to 59 years of age, the WHI estrogen plus progestin trial reported a relative risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) events (defined as nonfatal MI, silent MI, or CHD death) of 1.34 (95% CI, 0.82, 2.19) for CE/MPA compared placebo, with a risk difference of 5 per 10,000 WYs (23 versus 17). In the overall study population of women aged 50 to 79 years (average 63.4 years), the trial reported a relative risk of CHD of 1.18 (95% CI, 0.95, 1.45) for CE/MPA compared to placebo, with a risk difference of 6 per 10,000 WYs (41 versus 35). (See CLINICAL STUDIES ). 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. Malignant neoplasms a. Breast Cancer Progesterone capsules are contraindicated in women with breast cancer, a history of breast cancer, or estrogen-dependent neoplasia. (See CONTRAINDICATIONS ). Discontinue progesterone capsules 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. Only daily oral CE 0.625 mg and MPA 2.5 mg were studied in the estrogen-alone trial of the WHI. Therefore, the relevance of the WHI findings regarding breast cancer 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 women 50-59 years of age, the WHI estrogen plus progestin trial reported a relative risk for invasive breast cancer of 1.21 (95% CI, 0.81, 1.80) for CE/MPA compared to placebo, with a risk difference of 6 per 10,000 WYs (33 versus 27). In this age group, among those who reported no prior use of hormone therapy, the relative risk was 1.06 (95% CI, 0.67, 1.67) for CE/MPA compared to placebo, with a risk difference of 2 per 10,000 WYs (33 versus 31). In the overall study population of women aged 50-79 years (average 63.4 years), the WHI estrogen plus progestin trial reported a relative risk for invasive breast cancer of 1.24 (95% CI, 1.01, 1.53) for CE/MPA compared to placebo, with a risk difference of 9 per 10,000 WYs (43 versus 35). In the overall study population, among women who reported prior use of hormone therapy, the relative risk of invasive breast cancer was 1.85, (95% CI 1.18, 2.90) for CE/MPA compared to placebo, with a risk difference of 21 per 10,000 WYs (46 versus 25). Among women who reported no prior use of hormone therapy, the relative risk of invasive breast cancer was 1.09, (95% CI 0.86, 1.39), with a risk difference of 4 per 10,000 WYs (40 versus 36). 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. (See CLINICAL STUDIES .) Extension of the WHI trial also demonstrated increased breast cancer risk associated with estrogen plus progestin therapy. Consistent with the WHI trial, observational studies have also reported an increased risk of breast cancer with estrogen plus progestin therapy. A large meta-analysis including 24 prospective studies of postmenopausal women comparing current use of estrogen plus progestin products with use duration of 5 to 14 years (average of 9 years) versus never use reported a relative risk for breast cancer of 2.08 (95% CI, 2.02 to 2.15). These studies have not generally found significant variation in the risk of breast cancer among different estrogen plus progestin combinations, doses, or routes of administration. Regarding breast cancer mortality, the WHI estrogen plus progestin trial did not show a statistically significant difference between CE/MPA and placebo. The trial reported a relative risk of 1.35 (95% CI, 0.94 to 1.95) for CE/MPA compared to placebo, with a risk difference of 1 per 10,000 WYs (5 versus 4) after a median of 19 years of cumulative follow-up. b. Ovarian Cancer In the overall WHI study population of women aged 50 to 79 years (average 63.4 years), the estrogen plus progestin trial reported a relative risk for ovarian cancer of 1.41 (95% CI, 0.75 to 2.66) for CE/MPA versus placebo after an average follow-up of 5.6 years. The risk difference was 1 per 10,000 WYs (5 versus 4). Comparing CE/MPA to placebo, women 50 to 59 years of age had a relative risk for ovarian cancer of 0.30 (95% CI 0.06, 1.47) and the risk difference was -3 per 10,000 WYs (1 versus 4). 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 to 1.48). The duration of hormone therapy use that was associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer is unknown. 3. Vision abnormalities Retinal vascular thrombosis has been reported in patients receiving estrogen. Discontinue estrogen plus progestin therapy pending examination if there is sudden partial or complete loss of vision, or if there is a sudden onset of proptosis, diplopia or migraine. If examination reveals papilledema or retinal vascular lesions, estrogen plus progestin therapy should be permanently discontinued.