Informations for option: Tibolone 2.5mg Tablets, show other option

Select option:

1. Tibolone 2.5mg Tablets
2. Tibolone 2.5mg Tablets

Document: document 1 change

• document 0
• document 1
• document 2
• document 3
• document 4
• document 5
• document 6
• document 7

---

Pg 4 Pg 1

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, Livial may have side effects, although not everybody gets them. Most side effects are mild.

^ Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are worried about any side effects which you think may be due to Livial. (see also section 2.3, 'Stop taking Livial and see a doctor immediately')

4.1    Serious side effects - see a doctor straight away

If you think you may have signs of a serious side effect, see a doctor straight away.

You may need to stop taking Livial:

•    If your blood pressure rises

•    If your skin or the whites of your eyes go yellow (jaundice)

•    If you suddenly have migraine-type headaches (see section 2.5 overleaf)

•    If you have signs of a blood clot (see section 2.5 overleaf)

•    If you get any of the problems listed in section 2.1 (Do not take Livial)

4.2    Other side effects

Common (affect up to 1 in 10 women):

•    breast pain

•    stomach or pelvic pain

•    unusual hair growth

•    vaginal bleeding or spotting.

This is usually nothing to worry about in the first few months of taking HRT. If bleeding continues, or starts after you have been on HRT for a while See Section 2.4.

•    vaginal problems such as more secretions, itching, irritation and thrush

•    thickening of the lining of the womb or the lining of the cervix

•    weight gain.

Uncommon (affects up to 1 in 100 women):

•    swollen hands, ankles or feet - a sign of fluid retention

•    stomach upset

•    acne

•    painful nipples or breasts feeling uncomfortable

•    vaginal infections

Rare (affects up to 1 in 1000 women):

•    itchy skin

Some women taking Livial have also reported:

•    depression, dizziness,    headache

•    joint pain or muscle pain

•    skin problems such as rash or itching

•    loss of vision or blurred vision

•    changes in liver tests

There have been reports of breast cancer and of an increased cell growth or cancer of the lining of the womb in women using Livial.

^ Tell your doctor if any of the above mentioned side effects continues or becomes troublesome.

The following side effects have been reported with other HRTs:

•    gall bladder disease

•    various skin disorders:

-    discolouration 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)

Reporting of side effects

If 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: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5.    How to store Livial

Do not use after the expiry date printed on the carton label or blister strip. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Livial should be stored in a dry place below 25°C and protected from light.

KEEP ALL MEDICINES OUT OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN.

If your doctor tells you to stop taking the tablets, please take them back to the pharmacist for safe disposal. Only keep the tablets if your doctor tells you to.

If the tablets become discoloured or show any other signs of deterioration, you should seek the advice of your pharmacist before taking them.

6.    Further information

Your medicine is called Livial 2.5mg tablets/Tibolone 2.5mg tablets. Each tablet contains 2.5mg of the active ingredient, tibolone in a white, round, tablet marked 'Organon *' one side and 'MK 2' on the reverse side.

Livial 2.5mg tablets/Tibolone 2.5mg tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients: lactose, starch, ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium stearate.

Livial 2.5mg tablets/Tibolone 2.5mg tablets are available as 1 or 3 blister strips of 30 tablets in boxes of 30 and 90 tablets respectively.

PL No: 6464/1612

This product is manufactured by NV Organon, Oss, The Netherlands and is procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder:

Waymade Plc, Miles Gray Road, Basildon, Essex SS14 3FR

Leaflet revision and issue date (Ref.) 06.01.2014 Livial is a registered trademark of N.V.Organon.

More about Livial

The most important natural sex hormones in women are oestrogens and progesterone.

These hormones are produced in the ovaries. They are needed for normal sexual development and control the menstrual cycle.

The menopause is the time (usually around the age of 50) when the ovaries gradually stop producing oestrogens. If the ovaries are removed surgically before the menopause, the decrease in hormone production occurs very quickly. The decrease in hormone production often leads to symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats. The shortage of sex hormones may also cause the lining of the vagina to become thin and dry. So sexual intercourse may be painful and vaginal infections may occur more frequently. Some women also experience mood changes, nervousness, depression, irritability and loss of sexual desire.

Oestrogens are also important for bone formation. Bone is built up during youth, and peak bone mass is reached between the age of 20 and 30. After that, bone mass decreases, at first slowly, but later in life more quickly, especially after the menopause. Gradually, the bones become brittle and may easily break (osteoporosis), especially in your spine, hip and wrists. Osteoporosis may also cause back pain, loss of height and a curved back.

Livial contains tibolone, a substance that has beneficial effects on different tissues in the body, such as the brain, vagina and bone. This results in the relief of symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, and an improvement in the lining of the vagina, mood and sexual desire. Livial can also stop the process of bone loss that occurs in your spine, hip and wrists after the menopause. Unlike some hormone replacement therapies, Livial does not stimulate the lining of the womb. So treatment with Livial does not cause monthly vaginal bleeding.

LIVIAL® 2.5mg TABLETS/TIBOLONE 2.5mg TABLETS

(tibolone)

Patient Information Leaflet

This product is known by the above names, but will be usually referred to as Livial throughout this leaflet.

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

•    Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

•    If you have any further questions or need more advice, ask your doctor, family planning nurse or pharmacist

•    This medicine has been prescribed for you 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, family planning nurse or pharmacist.

This includes any side effects not listed in this leaflet.

In this leaflet:

1.    What Livial does

2.    Make sure Livial is OK for you

3.    Taking Livial

4.    Possible side effects

5.    How to store Livial

6.    Further Information

1. What Livial does

Livial 2.5 mg tablet

The active substance is: tibolone.

This medicine is a Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). It contains tibolone, a substance that has favourable effects on different tissues in the body, such as brain, vagina and bone. This medicine is used in postmenopausal women with at least 12 months since their last natural period.

This medicine is used for:

Relief of symptoms occurring after menopause

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"). Livial alleviates these symptoms after menopause. You will only be prescribed this medicine if your symptoms seriously hinder your daily life.

Prevention of osteoporosis

After the menopause some women may develop fragile bones (osteoporosis). You should discuss all available options with your doctor.

If you are at an increased risk of fractures due to osteoporosis and other medicines are not suitable for you, you can use Livial to prevent osteoporosis after menopause.

There are three different kinds of HRT:

•    Oestrogen-only HRT

•    Combined HRT, containing two kinds of female hormone, an oestrogen and a progestogen.

•    Livial, which contains a substance called tibolone

Livial is different from other HRT. Instead of actual hormones (such as oestrogen and progestogen) it contains tibolone. Your body breaks down tibolone to make hormones. Its effects and benefits are similar to combined HRT.

In section 6, ‘More about Livial' you can find more information about Livial and what it is used for.

2. Make sure Livial is OK for you

For information on when you can start taking Livial, (including after a hysterectomy) see Section 3.1 (overleaf)

Medical History and regular check-ups

The use of HRT or Livial carries risks that need to be considered when deciding whether to start taking it, or whether to carry on taking it. This is especially important if you are more than 60 years old.

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 or Livial may be different. Please talk to your doctor.

Before you start taking or restart HRT or Livial

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.

-^Tell your doctor if you have any medical problems or illnesses.

Regular check-ups

Once you have started on Livial, 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 Livial.

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

Be sure to

•    go for regular breast screening and cervical smear tests

•    regularly check your breasts for any changes such as dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple, or any lumps you can see or feel

2.1 Some women should not take Livial Do not take Livial

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 this medicine

•    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 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 tibolone or any of the other ingredients of Livial (listed in section 6 More about Livial)

•    If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.

•    If you are breastfeeding.

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

If you have started the menopause you should not take Livial until 12 months after your last natural period. If you take it sooner than this you may have irregular bleeding.

2.2    When to take special care with Livial

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 Livial. If so, you should see your doctor more often for check-ups:

•    fibroids inside your womb

•    growth of the 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

•    diabetes

•    gallstones

•    migraine or severe headaches

•    a disease of the immune system that affects many organs of the body (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE)

•    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

2.3    Stop taking Livial and see a doctor immediately

If you notice any of the following when taking HRT or Livial:

•    any of the conditions mentioned in the "Do not take Livial" 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

•    if you become pregnant

•    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)”.

Note: Livial is not a contraceptive. If it is less than 12 months since your last menstrual period or you are under 50 years old, you may still need to use additional contraception to prevent pregnancy. Speak to your doctor for advice.

2.4    HRT and Cancer

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

There have been reports of an increased cell growth or cancer of the lining of the womb in women using Livial. The risk of cancer of the lining of the womb increases the longer you take the medicine.

Irregular bleeding

You may have irregular bleeding or drops of blood (spotting) during the first 3-6 months of taking Livial. But if the bleeding or spotting:

•    Carries on for more than the first 6 months

•    Starts after you have been taking Livial for more than 6 months

•    Carries on even after you've stopped taking Livial

^ 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.

Heart disease (heart attack)

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

Women over the age of 60 who use oestrogen-progestogen HRT are slightly more likely to develop heart disease than those not taking any HRT. As the risk of heart disease strongly depends on age, the number of extra cases of heart disease due to use of oestrogen-progestogen HRT is very low in healthy women close to menopause, but will rise with more advanced age.

There is no evidence to suggest that the risk of myocardial infarction with Livial is different to the risk of other HRT.

Stroke

Recent research suggests that HRT and Livial slightly increases the risk of having a stroke. The increased risk is seen mainly in women over 60 years old. Other things that can increase the risk of stroke include:

•    Getting older

•    High blood pressure

•    Smoking

•    Drinking too much alcohol

•    An irregular heartbeat

If you are worried about any of these things, talk to your doctor to see if you should take HRT

2.6    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.

2.7    Using other medicines

Some medicines may interfere with the effect of Livial. This might lead to irregular bleeding. This applies to the following medicines:

•    Medicines against blood clotting (such as warfarin)

•    Medicines for epilepsy (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepin)

•    Medicines for tuberculosis (such as rifampicin)

•    Herbal remedies containing St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum).

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.

2.8    Having an Operation

If you are going to have an operation, make sure your doctor knows about it. You may need to stop taking hRt about 4 to 6 weeks before the operation, to reduce the risk of a blood clot. Your doctor will tell you when you can start taking HRT again.

2.9    Taking Livial with Food and Drink

You can eat or drink normally while you are taking Livial.

2.10    Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding

Livial is for use in postmenopausal women only. If you become pregnant, stop taking Livial and contact your doctor.

2.11    Driving and Using Machines

Livial has no known effect on the ability to drive or use machines.

2.12    Livial contains Lactose

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before using Livial.

If you are worried about anything in this section, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of HRT.

3. Taking Livial

2.5 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 apply to you:

•    you are pregnant or recently had a baby

•    you use oestrogens

•    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 another organ

•    you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

•    you have cancer.

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

If you are changing over from another type of HRT

There are several different types of HRT, such as tablets patches and gels. Most contain either oestrogen, or oestrogen and progestogen. With some you still have periods, and with some you don't (these are called period-free HRT).

3.2    How to take Livial

The usual dose is one tablet every day. Take this dose unless your doctor or pharmacist told you to do something different.

Press the tablet so that it comes through the foil. Swallow the tablet with some water or other drink, without chewing. Take Livial at the same time each day.

The strips of tablets are marked with the days of the week. Start by taking a tablet marked with the current day. For example, if it is Monday, take a tablet marked Monday on the top row of the strip. Follow the arrows until the strip is empty. Start the next strip the next day. Do not leave a break between strips or packs.

Your doctor will aim to prescribe the lowest dose to treat your symptoms for as short as necessary. Speak to your doctor if you think this dose is too strong or not strong enough.

3.3    If you take more Livial than you should

It is unlikely that taking more than one tablet will do you any harm, but you may feel sick, be sick or have some vaginal bleeding.

3.4    If you forget to take Livial

If you forget to take a tablet, take it as soon as you remember, unless you are more than 12 hours late. If you are more than 12 hours late, just skip it, and take your next tablet at the usual time. Don't take a double dose.

3.5    If you need to have surgery

If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon that you are taking Livial. You may need to stop taking Livial 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 Livial again.