Climaval® 1mg Tablets / Meriestra® 1mg Tablets Climaval® 2mg Tablets / Meriestra® 2mg Tablets

(estradiol valerate)

In this leaflet:

1)    What Climaval is and what it is used for

2)    What you need to know before you take Climaval

3)    How to use Climaval

4)    Possible side effects

5)    How to store Climaval

6)    Content of the pack and other information

1)    What Climaval is and what it is used for

Climaval is a Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). It contains the female hormone oestrogen.

Oestradiol valerate is identical to the natural female hormone oestrogen. This hormone is produced by the ovaries before the menopause.

Climaval is used for:

Relief of symptoms occurring after menopause

Menopause occurs naturally in all women, usually between the ages of 45 and 55 years. It occurs also in younger women who have their ovaries removed by surgery. During the menopause, the amount of the oestrogen produced by a woman's body drops. This can cause symptoms such as hot face, neck and chest (“hot flushes”), sleep problems, irritability, and depression. Some women also have problems with urine control or dryness of the vagina, which may cause discomfort during or after sexual intercourse. Climaval alleviates these symptoms after menopause. You will only be prescribed Climaval if your symptoms seriously hinder your daily life.

2)    What you need to know before you take Climaval Medical history and regular check-ups

The use of HRT carries risks which need to be considered when deciding whether to start taking it, or whether to carry on taking it.

The experience in treating women with a premature menopause (due to ovarian failure or surgery) is limited. If you have a premature menopause the risks of using HRT may be different. Please talk to your doctor.

Before you start (or restart) Climaval, your doctor will ask about your own and your family's medical history. Your doctor may decide to perform a physical examination. This may include an examination of your breasts and/or an internal examination, if necessary. He/she should tell you what kind of changes in the breast you should look out for and may advise you to have a breast X-ray (a mammogram). Once you have started on Climaval, you should see your doctor for regular check-ups (at least once a year). At these check-ups, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of continuing with Climaval.

Go for regular breast screening, as recommended by your doctor.

Do not take Climaval

If any of the following applies to you. If you are not sure about any of the points below, talk to your doctor before taking Climaval,

•    if you have or have ever had breast cancer, or if you are suspected of having it;

•    if you have cancer which is sensitive to oestrogens, such as cancer of the womb lining (endometrium), or if you are suspected of having it;

•    if you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding;

•    if you have excessive thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia) that is not being treated;

•    if you have severe kidney disease;

•    if you have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein (thrombosis), such as in the legs (deep venous thrombosis), or the lungs (pulmonary embolism);

•    if you have a blood clotting disorder (such as protein C, protein S or antithrombin deficiency);

•    if you have or recently have had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries, such as a heart attack, stroke or angina;

•    if you have or have ever had a liver disease and your liver function tests have not returned to normal;

•    if you have a rare blood problem called “porphyria” which is passed down in families (inherited);

•    if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to oestradiol valerate or any of the other ingredients of Climaval (listed in section 6);

If any of the above conditions appear for the first time while taking Climaval, stop taking it at once and consult your doctor immediately.

When to take special care with Climaval

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any of the following problems,

before you start the treatment, as these may return or become worse during treatment with Climaval. If so, you should see your doctor more often for check-ups.

•    Fibroids inside your womb

•    Growth of womb lining outside your womb (endometriosis) or a history of excessive growth of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia)

•    Increased risk of developing blood clots (see “Blood clots in a vein (thrombosis)”)

•    Increased risk of getting an oestrogen-sensitive cancer (such as having a mother, sister or grandmother who has had breast cancer)

•    High blood pressure

•    A liver disorder, such as a benign liver tumour (liver adenoma)

•    Diabetes

•    Gallstones

•    Migraine or severe headaches

•    A disease of the immune system that affects many organs of the body (Systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE), an autoimmune disorder

•    Epilepsy

•    Asthma

•    A disease affecting the eardrum and hearing (otosclerosis)

•    A very high level of fat in your blood (triglycerides)

•    Fluid retention due to cardiac or kidney problems

•    Hypothyroidism (a condition in which your thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone and for which you are treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy)

•    Hereditary angioedema or episodes of rapid swelling of the hands, feet, face, lips, eyes, tongue, throat (airway blockage) or digestive tract.

Stop taking Climaval and see a doctor immediately.

If you notice any of the following when taking HRT:

-    Any of the conditions mentioned in the ‘Do Not take Climaval' section

-    Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice). These may be signs of a liver disease

-    A large rise in your blood pressure (symptoms may be headache, tiredness, dizziness)

-    Migraine-like headaches which happen for the first time, with or without disturbed vision. Headaches like these can be an early sign of a stroke. If you have already had a stroke, talk with your doctor about whether the benefits of the treatment outweigh the possibly increased risk.

-    If you get pain in your chest that spreads to your arm or neck. This pain may be a sign of heart disease.

-    If you notice signs of a blood clot, such as:

■    painful swelling and redness of the legs

■    sudden chest pain

■    difficulty in breathing

For more information, see ‘Blood clots in a vein (thrombosis)'.

HRT and cancer

Excessive thickening of the lining of the womb (endometrial hyperplasia) and cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrial cancer)

Taking oestrogen-only HRT will increase the risk of excessive thickening of the lining of the womb (endometrial hyperplasia) and cancer of the womb lining (endometrial cancer).

Taking a progestogen in addition to the oestrogen for at least 12 days of each 28 day cycle protects you from this extra risk. So your doctor will prescribe a progestogen separately if you still have your womb. If you have had your womb removed (a hysterectomy), discuss with your doctor whether you can safely take this product without a progestogen.

In women who still have a womb and who are not taking HRT, on average, 5 in 1000 will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer between the ages of 50 and 65.

For women aged 50 to 65 who still have a womb and who take oestrogen-only HRT, between 10 and 60 women in 1000 will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer (i.e. between 5 and 55 extra cases), depending on the dose and for how long it is taken.

Unexpected bleeding

You will have a bleed once a month (so-called withdrawal bleed) while taking Climaval. But, if you have unexpected bleeding or drops of blood (spotting) besides your monthly bleeding, which:

-    carries on for more than the first 6 months

-    starts after you have been taking Climaval for more than 6 months

-    carries on after you have stopped taking Climaval

-    if you have painful menstrual periods

See your doctor as soon as possible.

Breast cancer

Evidence suggests that taking combined oestrogen-progestogen and possibly also oestrogen-only HRT increases the risk of breast cancer. The extra risk depends on how long you take HRT. The additional risk becomes clear within a few years. However, it returns to normal within a few years (at most 5) after stopping treatment.

For women who have had their womb removed and who are using oestrogen-only HRT for 5 years, little or no increase in breast cancer risk is shown.

Compare

Women aged 50 to 79 who are not taking HRT, on average, 9 to 14 in 1000 will be diagnosed with breast cancer over a 5-year period. For women aged 50 to 79 who are taking oestrogen-progestogen HRT over 5 years, there will be 13 to 20 cases in 1000 users (i.e. an extra 4 to 6 cases).

Regularly check your breasts. See your doctor if you notice any changes such as:

•    dimpling of the skin

•    change in the nipple

•    any lump you can see or feel

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is rare. A slightly increased risk of ovarian cancer has been reported in women taking HRT for at least 5 to 10 years.

Women aged 50 to 69 who are not taking HRT, on average about 2 women in 1000 will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer over a 5-year period. For women who have been taking HRT for 5 years, there will be between 2 and 3 cases per 1000 users (i.e. up to 1 extra case).

Effect of HRT on heart and circulation

Blood clots in a vein (thrombosis)

The risk of blood clots in the veins is about 1.3 to 3- times higher in HRT users than in non-users, especially during the first year of taking it.

Blood clots can be serious, and if one travels to the lungs, it can cause chest pain, breathlessness, fainting or even death.

You are more likely to get a blood clot in your veins as you get older and if any of the following applies to you. Inform your doctor if any of these situations applies to you:

•    you are unable to walk for a long time because of major surgery, injury or illness (see also section 3, If you need to have surgery)

•    you are seriously overweight (BMI >30 kg/m²)

•    you have any blood clotting problem that needs long-term treatment with a medicine used to prevent blood clots

•    if any of your close relatives has ever had a blood clot in the leg, lung or an other organ

•    you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

•    you have cancer.

For signs of a blood clot, see “Stop taking Climaval and see a doctor immediately”.

Compare

Looking at women in their 50s who are not taking HRT, on average, over a 5-year period, 4 to 7 in 1000 would be expected to get a blood clot in a vein.

For women in their 50s who have been taking oestrogen-progestogen HRT for over 5 years, there will be 9 to 12 cases in 1000 users (i.e. an extra 5 cases).

For women in their 50s who have had their womb removed and have been taking oestrogen-only HRT for over 5 years, there will be 5 to 8 cases in 1000 users (i.e. 1 extra case).

Heart disease (heart attack)

There is no evidence that HRT will prevent a heart attack.

Women over the age of 60 years who use oestrogen-progestogen HRT are slightly more likely to develop heart disease than those not taking any HRT.

For women who have had their womb removed and are taking oestrogen-only therapy there is no increased risk of developing a heart disease.

Stroke

The risk of getting stroke is about 1.5 times higher in HRT users than in non-users. The number of extra cases of stroke due to use of HRT will increase with age.

Compare

Looking at women in their 50s who are not taking HRT, on average, 8 in 1000 would be expected to have a stroke over a 5-year period. For women in their 50s who are taking HRT, there will be 11 cases in 1000 users, over 5 years (i.e. an extra 3 cases).

Other conditions

HRT will not prevent memory loss. There is some evidence of a higher risk of memory loss in women who start using HRT after the age of 65. Speak to your doctor for advice.

Taking other medicines

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription, herbal medicines or other natural products. Some medicines may interfere with the effect of Climaval. This might lead to irregular bleeding. This applies to the following medicines:

•    medicines for epilepsy (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine),

•    medicines for tuberculosis (such as rifampicin, rifabutin),

•    medicines for HIV infection (such as nevirapine, efavirenz, ritonavir, nelfinavir),

•    herbal remedies containing St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). Laboratory tests

If you need a blood test, tell your doctor or the laboratory staff that you are taking Climaval, because this medicine can affect the results of some tests.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Not applicable, because Climaval is only indicated in women without a uterus.

Driving and using machines

Climaval has no known effects on the ability to drive and use machines.

Climaval contains lactose

Lactose is a form of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking Climaval.

3) How to take Climaval

Always use Climaval exactly as your doctor has told you. Your doctor will aim to prescribe the lowest dose to treat your symptom for as short as necessary. Speak to your doctor if you think this dose is too strong or not strong enough. During the treatment your doctor may adjust the dose according to your individual needs.

When to start treatment

•    If you are currently not taking any form of HRT (patches or tablets), or if you have been taking a continuous combined HRT product

(where oestrogen and the progestogen are given every day without interruption), you can start to take Climaval on any convenient day.

•    If you are changing from a cyclic or sequential HRT treatment (where the progestogen is added for 12-14 days of the cycle), you should start to take Climaval on the day after you complete your previous cycle.

How to take Climaval

Take one tablet each day by following the sequence of numbers and arrows on the calendar pack.

Swallow your tablets whole with a glass of water.

The pack has been designed specifically to help you take the tablets correctly.

Write the name of the day you take your first tablet in the box below. For example, if you start your tablets on a Wednesday, then write “Wednesday” in the box. This day will also be the day on which you will take tablets 8, 15 and 22. This will help you check that you have taken each tablet on the right day.

When you finish one blister pack, start the new one the next day whether or not you experience bleeding. This will normally be the same day of the week as you started the previous blister pack. Do not take a break between blister packs unless your doctor tells you.

The tablets are best taken at the same time every day; try to get into a routine.

Follow your doctor's instructions as to how and when you should take Climaval tablets and never change the dose yourself, however well you feel.

If you are unsure about how much medicine to take or when to take it, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

How long to take Climaval

From time to time, you will need to discuss with your doctor the possible risks and benefits associated with Climaval and whether you still need the treatment. It is important that you take the lowest possible effective dose and only as long as needed.

If you have taken more Climaval than you should

Contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you have taken too much Climaval.

If you forget to take Climaval

If you forget to take a tablet at your usual time, try to take it within 12 hours. If this is not possible, leave the forgotten tablet and continue to take the remaining tablets at the usual time.

If you need to have surgery

If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon that you are taking Climaval. You may need to stop taking Climaval about 4 to 6 weeks before the operation to reduce the risk of a blood clot (see section 2, Blood clots in a vein). Ask your doctor when you can start taking Climaval again.

If you stop taking Climaval

Stopping Climaval may increase the risk of breakthrough bleeding or spotting. If this occurs after you stop treatment, contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor will need to work out the reasons for this.

After a long treatment break, consult your doctor before starting to take Climaval again.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4)    Possible side effects

The following diseases are reported more often in women using HRT compared to women not using HRT:

•    breast cancer

•    abnormal growth or cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrial hyperplasia or cancer)

•    ovarian cancer

•    blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs (venous thromboembolism)

•    heart disease

•    stroke

•    probable memory loss if HRT is started over the age of 65

For more information about these side effects, see Section 2.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Some effects could be serious

These symptoms need immediate medical attention.

•    Unexpected vaginal bleeding or spotting (breakthrough bleeding) after taking Climaval for some time, or after you stop treatment

•    Painful menstrual periods

•    Painful swelling and redness of the legs

•    Sudden chest pain

•    Difficulty in breathing

•    Pain in your chest that spreads to your arm or neck

•    Yellowing of the eyes and face (jaundice)

•    Rapid increase in your blood pressure

•    Unexplained migraine-like headaches

•    Breast changes, including dimpling of the breast skin, changes in the nipple, lumps that you can see or feel.

Stop taking Climaval and tell your doctor immediately if you get any of

the effects mentioned above.

Check the risks to be aware of with HRT in general in section 2, When to take special care with Climaval.

Other side effects

In addition, the following side effects have been reported with Climaval:

•    Breast tension and pain, breast cancer.

•    Discharge from the vagina.

•    Headache, dizziness, vertigo, changes in sexual desire, depression.

•    Increased blood pressure, palpitations (sensation of fluttering in the chest), fast heart beat or other heart symptoms, tender or painful veins (signs of thrombophlebitis), fluid retention, nose bleeds.

•    Indigestion, wind, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and bloating, problems with your gall bladder (biliary stasis).

•    General itching, hair loss, hives and skin rash.

•    Glucose intolerance which can make you sweat or feel faint after eating.

•    Weight gain.

The following side effects have been reported with other HRTs:

•    Gall bladder disease

•    Various skin disorders:

-    discoloration of the skin especially of the face or neck known as “pregnancy patches” (chloasma)

-    painful reddish skin nodules (erythema nodosum),

-    rash with target-shaped reddening or sores (erythema multiforme)

•    Decline in memory or mental ability

•    Diarrhoea

•    Migraine,

•    Fibroids (benign growths in the uterus)

•    Pain in extremity

•    Dry eyes and contact lens discomfort

If you get the side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

5)    How to store Climaval

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.

•    Do not take Climaval after the expiry date printed on the carton, label or blister strip. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.

•    Do not store above 25°C. Store in a dry place, protected from light.

•    If the tablets become discoloured or show any other signs of deterioration, you should seek the advice of your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.

•    Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6)    Further information What Climaval contains:

Each film-coated tablet contains either 1mg or 2mg of the active ingredient estradiol valerate.

Each tablet also contains lactose, maize starch, hypromellose (E464), magnesium stearate, povidone, propylene glycol, indigo carmine lake (E132), titanium dioxide (E171) and purified water.

What Climaval looks like and contents of the pack

Climaval 1mg tablets are round, grey-blue, film-coated tablets and marked ‘CG' on one side, ‘OC' on the reverse.

Climaval 2mg tablets are round, blue, film-coated tablets and marked ‘CG' on one side, ‘OD' on the reverse.

Climaval tablets are available as calendar blister packs of 28 or 84 tablets.

PL 10383/1282    1mg Tablets    |POM

PL 10383/1283    2mg Tablets

Who makes and repackages your medicine?

Your medicine is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd., Horsham, UK. Procured from within the EU and repackaged by Product Licence Holder: Primecrown Ltd., 4/5 Northolt Trading Estate, Belvue Road, Northolt, Middlesex, UB5 5QS.

Leaflet date: 19.10.2012

Climaval® is a registered trademark of Novartis AG, Basle, Switzerland.