Bimizza 150 Microgram/20 Microgram Tablets
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| Bimizza 150 microgram/ 20 microgram tablets
Desogestrel/ethinylestradiol
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Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information foryou.
!• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
,• This medicine has been prescribed foryou only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are: the same as yours. ■
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. ■
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What is in this leaflet
■1. What Bimizza tablets are and what they are used for What you need to know before you take Bimizza tablets ^3. Howto take Bimizza tablets "4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Bimizza tablets ,
B. Contents of the pack and other information
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1. What Bimizza tablets are and what they are used for
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Bimizza tablets are a combined oral contraceptive, also called the Pill. Each tablet contains a small amount of two types offemalei
hormones, namely, a progestogen, desogestrel and an oestrogen, ethinylestradiol. ,
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These help to stop you from getting pregnant, just as your natural hormones would stop you conceiving again when you are already pregnant.
The combined contraceptive pill protects you against getting pregnant in three ways. These hormones "
1. stop the ovary from releasing an egg each month (ovulation).
iZ. also thicken the fluid (at the neck of the womb making it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg). ,
■3. alter the lining of the womb to make it less likely to accept a fertilised egg.
2. What you need to know before you take Bimizza tablets
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Desogestrel/ethinylestradiol
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General notes
Before you can begin taking Bimizza tablets, your doctor will ask you some questions about your personal health history and that of your close relatives. The doctor will also measure your blood pressure, and depending upon your personal situation, may also carry out some other tests.
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In this leaflet, several situations are described where you should stop using Bimizza tablets, or where the reliability of the pill may be
'decreased. In such situations you should either not have sex, oryou should take extra non-hormonal contraceptive precautions'
i(e.g. use a condom or another barrier method). Do not use rhythm or temperature methods. These methods can be unreliable.
because Bimizza tablets alter the monthly changes of body temperature and of cervical mucus.
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£imizza tablets, like other hormonal contraceptives, do not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually' transmitted disease.
Do not take Bimizza tablets ■
• if you have (or have ever had) a blood clot in a blood vessel of the leg (thrombosis), lung (pulmonary embolism) or other organs.
• if you have (or have ever had) a heart attack or stroke.
if you have (or have ever had) a disease that can be an indicator of a heart attack in the future (for example, angina pectoris,' which causes severe pain in the chest) or of a stroke (for example, a passing slight stroke with no residual effects).
• if you have a disease that may increase the risk of a clot in the arteries.
This applies to the following diseases: ■
! ■ diabetes with damaged blood vessels.
: ■ very high blood pressure.
■ ■ a very high level offat in the blood (cholesterol or triglycerides).
• if you have a disturbance of blood clotting (for example, protein C deficiency).
• if you have (or have ever had) a certain form of migraine (with so-called focal neurological symptoms). ■
• if you have (or have ever had) an inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). ■
• if you have (or have ever had) a liver disease and your liver function is still not normal.
• if you have (or have ever had) a tumour in the liver.
• if you have (or have ever had) or if you are suspected of having breast cancer or cancer of the genital organs.
• if you have any unexplained bleeding from the vagina.
• if you are allergic to ethinylestradiol or desogestrel, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). "
Warnings and precautions
In some situations you need to take special care while using Bimizza tablets or any other combination pill, and your doctor may need to examine you regularly. If any of the following conditions applies to you, tell your doctor before starting to use Bimizza' tablets. Also, if any of the following applies or if any of the conditions develop or worsen while you are using Bimizza tablets, consultyourdoctor:
• if a close relative has or has ever had breast cancer.
• if you have a disease of the liver or the gallbladder.
» ifyou have Crohn's disease or inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). ,
• ifyou have a blood disease called HUS (haemolytic uraemic syndrome which causes kidney damage).
• ifyou have a blood disease called sickle cell anaemia.
• ifyou have epilepsy (see “The pill and using other medicines”). "
• ifyou have a disease of the immune system called SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). ■
• ifyou have a disease that first appeared during pregnancy or earlier use of sex hormones (for example, hearing loss, a blood
■ disease called porphyria, skin rash with blisters during pregnancy (gestational herpes) a nerve disease causing sudden movements of the body (Sydenham's chorea).
• if you have or have ever had chloasma (a discoloration of the skin especially of the face or neck known as “pregnancy
patches”). If so, avoid direct sunlight or ultraviolet light. ■
"• ifyou have hereditary angioedema, products containing oestrogens may cause or worsen symptoms. You should see your,
■ doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of angioedema such as swollen face, tongue and/or throat and/or difficulty, swallowing or hives together with difficulty breathing.
The pill and venous and arterial blood clots (thrombosis) ■
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Venous thrombosis
.The use of any combination pill, including Bimizza tablets, increases a woman's risk of developing a venous blood clot (venous thrombosis) compared with women who do not take any contraceptive pill.
If you take Bimizza tablets, you have a higher risk of developing a venous thrombosis than women using other combined pill9. containing the progestogen levonorgestrel.
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The risk of venous blood clots in users of combined pills increases:
• with increasing age.
• ifyou are overweight. ■
• if one of your close relatives ever had a blood clot in the leg, lung (pulmonary embolism), or other organ at a young age. , if you have to have surgery, if you have had a serious accident or if you are immobilized for a long time. It is important to tell, your doctor that you are using Bimizza tablets as you may have to stop taking it. Your doctor will tell you when to start Bimizza tablets again. This is usually about two weeks after you are back on your feet.
Your chances of having a blood clot are increased by taking the Pill. ■
• Of 100,000 women who are not on the Pill and not pregnant, about 5-10 may have a blood clot in a year.
• Of 100,000 women taking a Pill like Bimizza tablets, 20-40 may have a blood clot in a year, the exact number is unknown.
• Of 100,000 women who are pregnant, around 60 may have a blood clot in a year.
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The level of risk may vary according to the type of pill you take. Discuss with your doctor the available options.
The use of combination pills has been connected with an increase of the risk of arterial blood clot (arterial thrombosis), for. example, in the blood vessels of the heart (heart attack) or the brain (stroke).
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The risk of arterial blood clot in users of combined pills increases:
'• if you smoke. You are strongly advised to stop smoking when you use Bimizza tablets, especially if you are older than 351
• if the fat content of your blood is increased (cholesterol or triglycerides).
• ifyou are overweight.
• if one of your close relatives ever had a heart attack or stroke at young age.
• ifyou have high blood pressure. "
• ifyou sufferfrom migraine. ■
• ifyou have a problem with your heart (valve disorder, a disturbance of the cardiac rhythm).
The pill and cancer
Breast cancer has been observed slightly more often in women using combination pills, but it is not known whether this is caused by the treatment. Forexampleitmay be that more tumours are detected in women on combination pills because they are examined by Jtheir doctor more often. The occurrence of breast tumours becomes gradually less after stopping the combination hormonat contraceptives. It is important to regularly check your breasts and you should contact your doctor ifyou feel any lump.
In rare cases, benign liver tumours, and in even fewer cases malignant liver tumours have been reported in pill users. Contact your doctor ifyou have unusually severe abdominal pain. ;
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Bleeding between periods
puring the first few months that you are taking Bimizza tablets, you may have unexpected bleeding (bleeding outside the gapj week). If this bleeding occurs for more than a few months, or if it begins after some months, your doctor must find out what is wrong.
What you must do if no bleeding occurs in the gap week
Ifyou have taken all the tablets correctly, have not had vomiting or severe diarrhoea and you have not taken any other medicines, it is highly unlikely that you are pregnant.
Jf the expected bleeding does not happen twice in succession, you may be pregnant. Contact your doctor immediately. Do not start" the next strip until you are sure that you are not pregnant.
Other medicines and Bimizza tablets
Always tell the doctor which medicines or herbal products you are already using. Also tell any other doctor or dentist who i prescribes another medicine (or the pharmacist) that you use Bimizza tablets. They can tell you if you need to take additional contraceptive precautions (for example condoms) and if so, for how long.
■ Medicines used for the treatment of:
> epilepsy (e.g. primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbamazepine). !
> tuberculosis (e.g. rifampicin). \
> HIV infections (ritonavir, nevirapine) or other infections (antibiotics such as griseofulvin, penicillin, tetracycline).
Stop taking Bimizza tablets and contact your doctor immediately ifyou notice possible signs of blood clot, such as:
• severe pain and/orswelling in one of your legs.
• sudden severe pain in the chest which may reach the left arm.
• sudden breathlessness.
• sudden cough without an obvious cause.
• any unusual, severe or long-lasting headache or worsening of migraine.
• partial or complete blindness or double vision.
• difficulty in speaking or inability to speak.
• giddiness orfainting.
» weakness, strange feeling, or numbness in any part of the body._
» Bimizza tablets may influence the effect of other medicines, e.g.
, ■ medicines containing cyclosporin. \
■ the anti-epileptic lamotrigine (this could lead to an increased frequency of seizures).
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Bimizza tablets with food and drink
Bimizza tablets may be taken with or without food, if necessary with a small amount of water.
Laboratory tests:
Pregnancy
Jfyou are pregnant, do not take Bimizza tablets. Ifyou become pregnant while taking Bimizza tablets stop immediately and contact; your doctor. Ifyou want to become pregnant, you can stop taking the pill at any time.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. \
,Use of Bimizza tablets is generally not advisable when a woman is breast-feeding. Ifyou want to take the Pill while you are breast; feeding you should contact your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. \
Driving and using machines
There is no information suggesting that use of Bimizza tablets affects driving or use of machines.
Bimizza tablets contain lactose !
This product contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact youi; doctor before you take this product.
3. How to take Bimizza tablets
Take one Bimizza tablet everyday, if necessary with a small amount of water. You may take the tablets with or without food, but you should take the tablets every day around the same time. \
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■The strip contains 21 tablets. Next to each tablet is printed the day of the week that it should be taken. If, for example you start on a. .Wednesday, take a tablet with "WED” next to it. Follow the direction of the arrow on the strip until all 21 tablets have been taken. \
Then take no tablets for 7 days. In the course of these 7 tablet-free days (otherwise called a stop or gap week) bleeding should, begin. This is so-called “ withdrawal bleeding” and it usually starts on the 2nd or 3rd day of the gap week.
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On the 8th day after the last tablet of Bimizza (that is, after the 7-day gap week), you should start with the following strip, whether your bleeding has stopped or not. This means that you should start every strip on the same day of the week and that the withdrawal bleed should occuron the same days each month. ■
Ifyou use Bimizza tablets in this manner, you are also protected against pregnancy during the 7 days when you are not taking a, tablet.
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When can you start with the first strip?
• Ifyou have not used a contraceptive with hormones in the previous month ■ Begin with Bimizza on the first day of the cycle (that is the first day of your period). If you start Bimizza on the first day of your.
1 period you are immediately protected against pregnancy. You may also begin on day 2-5 of the cycle, but then you must use; 1 extra protective measures (for example, a condom) for the first 7 days.
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• Changing from a combination hormonal contraceptive, or combination contraceptive vaginal ring or patch
You can start Bimizza preferably on the day after the last active tablet (the last tablet containing active substances) of your1 previous pill, but at the latest on the day after the tablet-free days of your previous pill (or after the last inactive tablet of your, previous pill). When changing from a combination contraceptive vaginal ring or patch, follow the advice of your doctor.
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• Changing from a progestogen-only-method (progestogen-onlypill, injection, implant ora progestogen-releasing IUD)
, You may switch any day from the progestogen-only pill (from an implant or an IUD on the day of its removal, from an injectable' when the next injection would be due) but in all of these cases use extra protective measures (for example, a condom) for the1 first 7 days of tablet-taking. ■
• After a miscarriage
i Followthe advice of yourdoctor.
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• After having a baby
You can start Bimizza between 21 and 28 days after having a baby. If you start later than day 28, use a so-called barrier method' 1 (for example, a condom) during the first seven days of Bimizza use. If, after having a baby, you have had sex before starting,
■ Bimizza (again), be sure that you are not pregnant or wait until your next period.
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• Ifyou are breastfeeding and want to start Bimizza tablets (again) after having a baby.
Read the section on "Breastfeeding”.
Askyourdoctor what to do ifyou are not sure when to start. ■
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Ifyou take more Bimizza tablets than you should
iThere are no reports of serious harmful results of taking too many Bimizza tablets. Ifyou take several tablets at once then you may' fiave symptoms of nausea or vomiting. Young girls may have bleeding from the vagina. Ifyou have taken too many Bimizza tablets,' oryou discover that a child has taken some, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
What to do ifyou forget to take Bimizza tablets
Ifyou are less than 12 hours late taking a tablet, the protection against pregnancy is not reduced. Take the tablet as soon as
■ you remember and then take the following tablets again at the usual time.
• Ifyou are more than 12 hours late taking a tablet, the protection against pregnancy may be reduced. The greater the number of
tablets that you have forgotten, the greater is the risk of becoming pregnant. ■
The risk of incomplete protection against pregnancy is greatest if you forget a tablet at the beginning or the end of the strip. Therefore, you should keep to the following rules (see the diagram below):
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• More than one tablet forgotten in this strip
Contact your doctor. ■
• One tablet forgotten in week 1
Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if that means that you have to take two tablets at the same time. Continue taking the tablets at the usual time and use extra precautions for the next 7 days, for example, a condom. Ifyou have had sex in the week before forgetting the tablet you may be pregnant. In that case, contact your doctor.
• One tablet forgotten in week2 ■
Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if that means that you have to take two tablets at the same time. Continue taking the tablets at the usual time. The protection against pregnancy is not reduced, and you do not need to take extra precautions.
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• One tablet forgotten in week 3
You can choose between two possibilities:
1. Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if that means that you have to take two tablets at the same time.' Continue taking the tablets at the usual time. Instead of taking the tablet-free period start next strip. ,
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Most likely, you will have a period at the end of the second strip but you may also have light or menstruation like bleeding during the second strip.
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You can also stop the strip and go directly to the tablet-free period of 7 days (record the day on which you forgot your tablet). Ifyou want to start a new strip on the day you always start, make the tablet-free period less than 7 days.
Ifyou followone of these two recommendations, you will remain protected against pregnancy. ■
If you have forgotten any of the tablets in a strip, and you do not have bleeding in the first tablet-free period, you may be pregnant. Contact your doctor before you start the next strip.
What to do in case of vomiting or severe diarrhoea
Ifyou vomit within 3-4 hours of taking a tablet or you have severe diarrhoea, there is a risk that the active substances in the tablet ^re not fully absorbed into your body. The situation is almost the same as forgetting a tablet. After vomiting or diarrhoea, take' another tablet from a reserve strip as soon as possible. If possible take it within 12 hours of when you normally take your pill. If
T:his is not possible or 12 hours have passed, you should followthe advice given under "Ifyou forget to take Bimizza tablets”.
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Delay of menstrual period: what you need to know
Even though it is not recommended, you can delay your menstrual period by going straight to a new strip of Bimizza tablets instead of the tablet-free period, and finishing it. You may experience light or menstruation-like bleeding while using this second strip. Afterthe usual tablet-free period of 7 days, start the next strip.
You might ask your doctor for advice before deciding to delay your menstrual period. ■
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Changing of the first day of your menstrual period: whatyou must know
Jfyou take the tablets according to the instructions, then your period will begin during the tablet-free week. Ifyou have to change this day, reduce the number of the tablet-free days (but never increase them - 7 is the maximum). For example, if your tablet-free' 'days normally begin on a Friday, and you want to change this to a Tuesday (3 days earlier) start a new strip 3 days earlier than1 Visual. Ifyou make the tablet-free interval very short (for example, 3 days or less) you may not have any bleeding during thesei days. You may then experience light or menstruation-like bleeding.
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Jfyou are not sure what to do, consultyourdoctor.
Ifyou want to stop taking Bimizza Tablets '
You can stop taking Bimizza tablets whenever you want. Ifyou do not want to become pregnant, ask your doctor for advice about-ether reliable methods of birth control. Ifyou want to become pregnant, stop taking Bimizza tablets and wait for a period before, trying to become pregnant. You will be able to calculate the expected delivery date more easily.
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Ifyou have any further questions on the use of this product, ask yourdoctor or pharmacist
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Bimizza tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
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Serious reactions
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More serious reactions associated with combined hormonal contraceptive pills are detailed above in section 2 under “The pill1 and venous and arterial blood clots (thrombosis)” and “The pill and cancer". Please read these subsections carefully, and ifyou1 have any questions, askyourdoctor. ■
'The following serious side effects have been reported in women using the pill: Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (chronic Inflammatory bowel diseases), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, a disease of the connective tissue), epilepsy, the rash knowni es herpes gestationis, chorea (a movement disease), a blood disorder called haemolytic uraemic syndrome - HUS (a disorder1 ^here blood clots cause the kidneys to fail), brown patches on the face and body (chloasma), movement disorder called! Sydenham's chorea, yellowing of the skin, gynaecological disorders (endometriosis, uterine myoma). ;
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Other possible side effects
The following side effects have been reported in women using the pill, which can occur in the first few months after starting Bimizza tablets, but they usually stop once your body has adjusted to the pill. The most commonly reported side effects (more than 1 in1 every 10 users may be affected) are irregular bleeding and weight gain.
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Common or uncommon (between 1 and 100 in every 1,000 users may be affected): none or reduced bleeding, tender breasts' breast enlargement, breast pain, decreased sexual desire, depression, headache, nervousness, migraine, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, acne, rash, nettle-rash (urticaria), fluid retention, high blood pressure.
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Rare (between 1 and 10 in every 10,000 users may be affected): vaginal candidiasis (fungal infection), impaired hearing! j(otosclerosis), thromboembolism, hypersensitivity, increased sexual desire, eye irritation due to contact lens, loss of haiil (alopecia), itching, skin disorders (erythema nodosum - a skin disease associated with joint pain, fever, hypersensitivity, or; Infection, characterized by small, painful, pink to blue nodules under the skin and on the shins that tend to recur; erythema, lmultiforme - a skin disease characterized by solid raised spots on the skin or fluid-filled blisters, lesions and reddening or) discoloration of the skin, often in concentric zones about the lesions), vaginal discharge, breast discharge.
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Before you have any blood tests
Tell your doctor or the laboratory staff that you are taking the pill, because oral contraceptives can affect the results of some tests. ; Reporting of side effects
1f you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet."
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. ;
5. How to store Bimizza tablets
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
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Do not store above 25°C. Store in original package in order to protect from moisture and light.
Expiry date
'Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the package after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
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po not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you nc{ longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Bimizza tablets contains
The active substances are desogestrel and ethinylestradiol.
The other ingredients are:
'All-rac-alpha-tocopherol, potato starch, povidone (E1201), stearic acid (E570), silica colloidal anhydrous (E551) and lactose-anhydrous.
What Bimizza tablets look like and contents of the pack
Each tablet is round, white to off-white, uncoated, biconvex, debossed with '141' on one side and other side plain.
Each strip of Bimizza tablets contains 21 white tablets.
Each box of Bimizza tablets contains 1,3 or 6 blister strips of 21 tablets provided with or without a desiccant.
Notallpacksizesmaybemarketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Morningside Healthcare Ltd 115 Narborough Road Leicester, LE3 0PA, United Kingdom
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Manufacturer
Morningside Pharmaceuticals Ltd ^5 Pavilion Way, Castle Business Park,
Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 5GW, United Kingdom
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This leaflet was last revised in March 2015. !
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