Drospirenone and estradiol

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# Black Box Warning

# Overview
Drospirenone and estradiol is an oral contraceptive that is FDA approved for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause, moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause. There is a Black Box Warning for this drug as shown here.  Common adverse reactions include hypersensitivity reactions, including rash, pruritis, urticaria,  breast cancer, venous and arterial thromboembolism..

# Adult Indications and Dosage

## FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)
- Angeliq 0.25 mg drospirenone (DRSP)/0.5 mg estradiol (E2) is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause in women who have a uterus.
- Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated due to menapause in women who have a uterus.
- Dose
- The dosage is one Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2 tablet or one Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 tablet taken by mouth once daily.
- Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause in women who have a uterus.
- Dose
- The dosage is one Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 tablet taken by mouth once daily.

## Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)

### Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Drospirenone and estradiol in adult patients.

### NonGuideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label NonGuideline-Supported Use of Drospirenone and estradiol in adult patients.

# Pediatric Indications and Dosage

## FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)
There is limited information regarding Drospirenone and estradiol FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric) in the drug label.

## Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)

### Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Drospirenone and estradiol in pediatric patients.

### NonGuideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label NonGuideline-Supported Use of Drospirenone and estradiol in pediatric patients.

# Contraindications
- Do not prescribe Angeliq to women with any of the following conditions
- Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding.
- Known, suspected, or history of cancer of the breast.
- Known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia.
- Active DVT, PE or history of these conditions.
- Active arterial thromboembolic disease (for example, stroke and MI ) or history of these conditions .
- Renal Impairment.
- Known liver impairment or disease.
- Adrenal insufficiency.
- Known protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency, or other known thrombophilic disorders
- Known or suspected pregnancy
- Known anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, or hypersensitivity to Angeliq or any of its ingredients

# Warnings
- An increased risk of PE, DVT, stroke and MI have been reported with estrogen plus progestin therapy. An increased risk of stroke and DVT have been reported with estrogen-alone therapy. Should any of these occur or be suspected, estrogen with or without progestin therapy should be discontinued immediately.
- Risk factors for arterial vascular disease (for example, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, hypercholesterolemia, and/or obesity) and/or venous thromboembolism (VTE), for example, personal history or family history of VTE, obesity, systemic lupus erythematosus should be managed appropriately.
- In the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen plus progestin substudy, a statistically significant increased risk of stroke was reported in women 50 to 79 years of age receiving daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) compared to women in the same age group receiving placebo (33 versus 25 per 10,000 women years).
- The increase in risk was demonstrated after the first year and persisted.1 Should a stroke occur or be suspected, estrogen plus progestin therapy should be discontinued immediately.
- In the WHI estrogen-alone substudy, a statistically significant increased risk of stroke was reported in women 50 to 79 years of age receiving daily CE (0.625 mg)-alone compared to women in the same age group receiving placebo (45 versus 33 per 10,000 women-years). The increase in risk was demonstrated in year one and persisted. Should a stroke occur or be suspected, estrogen-alone therapy should be discontinued immediately.
- Subgroup analyses of women 50 to 59 years of age suggest no increased risk of stroke for those women receiving CE (0.625 mg)-alone versus those receiving placebo (18 versus 21 per 10,000 women-years).1
- In the WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy, there was a statistically non-significant increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) events (defined as nonfatal MI, silent MI, or CHD death) reported in women receiving daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) compared to women receiving placebo (41 versus 34 per 10,000 women-years).1 An increase in relative risk was demonstrated in year 1, and a trend toward decreasing relative risk was reported in years 2 through 5.
- In the WHI estrogen-alone substudy, no overall effect on CHD events was reported in women receiving estrogen-alone compared to placebo2.
- Subgroup analyses of women 50 to 59 years of age suggest a statistically non-significant reduction in CHD events (CE 0.625 mg compared to placebo) in women with less than 10 years since menopause (8 versus 16 per 10,000 women-years).1
- In postmenopausal women with documented heart disease (n=2,763), average 66.7 years of age, in a controlled clinical trial of secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study ), treatment with daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) demonstrated no cardiovascular benefit. During an average follow-up of 4.1 years, treatment with CE plus MPA did not reduce the overall rate of CHD events in postmenopausal women with established CHD. There were more CHD events in the CE plus MPA-treated group than in the placebo group in year 1, but not during the subsequent years. Two thousand, three hundred and twenty-one (2,321) women from the original HERS trial agreed to participate in an open label extension of HERS, HERS II. Average follow-up in HERS II was an additional 2.7 years, for a total of 6.8 years overall. Rates of CHD events were comparable among women in the CE plus MPA group and the placebo group in HERS, HERS II, and overall.
- In the WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy, a statistically significant 2-fold greater rate of VTE (DVT and PE) was reported in women receiving daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) compared to women receiving placebo (35 versus 17 per 10,000 women-years). Statistically significant increases in risk for both DVT (26 versus 13 per 10,000 women-years) and PE (18 versus 8 per 10,000 women-years) were also demonstrated. The increase in VTE risk was demonstrated during the first year and persisted3. Should a VTE occur or be suspected, estrogen plus progestin therapy should be discontinued immediately.
- In the WHI estrogen-alone substudy, the risk of VTE was increased for women receiving daily CE (0.625 mg)-alone compared to placebo (30 versus 22 per 10,000 women-years), although only the increased risk of DVT reached statistical significance (23 versus 15 per 10,000 women-years). The increase in VTE risk was demonstrated during the first 2 years4. Should a VTE occur or be suspected, estrogen-alone therapy should be discontinued immediately.
- If feasible, estrogens should be discontinued at least 4 to 6 weeks before surgery of the type associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, or during periods of prolonged immobilization.
- Angeliq contains the progestin DRSP that has antialdosterone activity, including the potential for hyperkalemia in high-risk patients. Angeliq is contraindicated in patients with conditions that predispose to hyperkalemia (renal impairment, hepatic impairment, and adrenal insufficiency).
- Use caution when prescribing Angeliq to women who regularly take other medications that can increase potassium, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor antagonists, heparin and aldosterone antagonists. Consider checking serum potassium concentrations during the first month of dosing in high-risk patients.
- The most important randomized clinical trial providing information about breast cancer in estrogen plus progestin users is the WHI substudy of daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg). After a mean follow-up of 5.6 years, the estrogen plus progestin substudy reported an increased risk of breast cancer in women who took daily CE plus MPA. In this substudy, prior use of estrogen-alone or estrogen plus progestin therapy was reported by 26 percent of the women. The relative risk of invasive breast cancer was 1.24 and the absolute risk was 41 versus 33 cases per 10,000 women-years, for CE plus MPA compared with placebo. Among women who reported prior use of hormone therapy, the relative risk of invasive breast cancer was 1.86 and the absolute risk was 46 versus 25 cases per 10,000 women-years for CE plus MPA compared with placebo. Among women who reported no prior use of hormone therapy, the relative risk of invasive breast cancer was 1.09 and the absolute risk was 40 versus 36 cases per 10,000 women-years for CE plus MPA compared with placebo. In the same substudy, invasive breast cancers were larger, were more likely to be node positive, and were diagnosed at a more advanced stage in the CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) 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 groups5.
- The most important randomized clinical trial providing information about breast cancer in estrogen-alone users is the WHI substudy of daily CE (0.625 mg)-alone. In the WHI estrogen-alone substudy, after an average follow-up of 7.1 years, daily CE (0.625 mg)-alone was not associated with an increased risk of invasive breast cancer.
- Consistent with the WHI clinical trial, observational studies have also reported an increased risk of breast cancer for estrogen plus progestin therapy, and a smaller increased risk for estrogen-alone therapy, after several years of use. The risk increased with duration of use, and appeared to return to baseline over about 5 years after stopping treatment (only the observational studies have substantial data on risk after stopping). Observational studies also suggest that the risk of breast cancer was greater, and became apparent earlier, with estrogen plus progestin therapy as compared to estrogen-alone therapy. However, 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.
- The use of estrogen-alone and estrogen plus progestin has been reported to result in an increase in abnormal mammograms requiring further evaluation.
- All women should receive yearly breast examinations by a healthcare provider and perform monthly breast self-examinations. In addition, mammography examinations should be scheduled based on patient age, risk factors, and prior mammogram results.
- An increased risk of endometrial cancer has been reported with the use of unopposed estrogen therapy in a woman with a uterus. The reported endometrial cancer risk among unopposed estrogen users is about 2- to 12-fold greater than in non-users, and appears dependent on duration of treatment and on estrogen dose. Most studies show no significant increased risk associated with use of estrogens for less than 1 year. The greatest risk appears associated with prolonged use, with increased risks of 15- to 24-fold for 5 to 10 years or more. This risk has been shown to persist for at least 8 to 15 years after estrogen therapy is discontinued.
- Clinical surveillance of all women using estrogen-alone or estrogen plus progestin therapy is important. Adequate diagnostic measures, including directed or random endometrial sampling when indicated, should be undertaken to rule out malignancy in postmenopausal women with undiagnosed persistent or recurring abnormal genital bleeding.
- There is no evidence that the use of natural estrogens results in a different endometrial risk profile than synthetic estrogens of equivalent estrogen dose. Adding a progestin to estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women has been shown to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia, which may be a precursor to endometrial cancer.
- The WHI estrogen plus progestin substudy reported a statistically non-significant increased risk of ovarian cancer. After an average follow-up of 5.6 years, the relative risk for ovarian cancer for CE plus MPA versus placebo was 1.58 (95 percent CI 0.77-3.24). The absolute risk for CE plus MPA versus placebo was 4 versus 3 cases per 10,000 women-years.7 In some epidemiological studies, the use of estrogen plus progestin and estrogen-only products, in particular for 5 or more years, has been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. However, the duration of exposure associated with increased risk is not consistent across all epidemiologic studies and some report no association.
- In the Womens Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS) estrogen plus progestin ancillary study, a population of 4,532 postmenopausal women 65 to 79 years of age was randomized to daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) or placebo. After an average follow-up of 4 years, 40 women in the CE plus MPA group and 21 women in the placebo group were diagnosed with probable dementia.  - The relative risk of probable dementia for CE plus MPA versus placebo was 2.05 (95 percent CI, 1.21-3.48). The absolute risk of probable dementia for CE plus MPA versus placebo was 45 versus 22 cases per 10,000 women-years8.
- In the WHIMS estrogen-alone ancillary study of WHI, a population of 2,947 hysterectomized women 65 to 79 years of age was randomized to daily CE (0.625 mg)-alone or placebo. After an average follow-up of 5.2 years, 28 women in the estrogen-alone group and 19 women in the placebo group were diagnosed with probable dementia. The relative risk of probable dementia for CE-alone versus placebo was 1.49 (95 percent CI, 0.83-2.66). The absolute risk of probable dementia for CE-alone versus placebo was 37 versus 25 cases per 10,000 women-years8.
- When data from the two populations in the WHIMS estrogen-alone and estrogen plus progestin ancillary studies were pooled as planned in the WHIMS protocol, the reported overall relative risk for probable dementia was 1.76 (95 percent CI 1.19-2.60). Since both ancillary studies were conducted in women 65 to 79 years of age, it is unknown whether these findings apply to younger postmenopausal women.
- A 2- to 4-fold increase in the risk of gallbladder disease requiring surgery in postmenopausal women receiving estrogens has been reported.
- Estrogen administration may lead to severe hypercalcemia in women with breast cancer and bone metastases. If hypercalcemia occurs, use of the drug should be stopped and appropriate measures taken to reduce the serum calcium concentration.
- Retinal vascular thrombosis has been reported in women receiving estrogens. Discontinue medication pending examination if there is sudden partial or complete loss of vision, or a sudden onset of proptosis, diplopia, or migraine. If examination reveals papilledema or retinal vascular lesions, estrogens should be permanently discontinued.
- In a small number of case reports, substantial increases in blood pressure have been attributed to idiosyncratic reactions to estrogens. In a large, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, a generalized effect of estrogen therapy on blood pressure was not seen.
- In women with pre-existing hypertriglyceridemia, estrogen therapy may be associated with elevations of plasma triglycerides leading to pancreatitis. Consider discontinuation of treatment if pancreatitis occurs.
- Estrogens may be poorly metabolized in women with impaired liver function. For women with a history of cholestatic jaundice associated with past estrogen use or with pregnancy, caution should be exercised and in the case of recurrence, medication should be discontinued.
- The clearance of drospirenone was decreased in patients with moderate hepatic impairment.
- Estrogen administration leads to increased thyroid-binding globulin (TBG) concentrations. Women with normal thyroid function can compensate for the increased TBG by making more thyroid hormone, thus maintaining free T4 and T3 serum concentrations in the normal range. Women dependent on thyroid hormone replacement therapy who are also receiving estrogens may require increased doses of their thyroid replacement therapy. These women should have their thyroid function monitored in order to maintain their free thyroid hormone concentrations in an acceptable range.
- Estrogens and progestins may cause some degree of fluid retention. Women with conditions that might be influenced by this factor, such as a cardiac or renal impairment, warrant careful observation when estrogens are prescribed.
- Estrogen therapy should be used with caution in women with hypoparathyroidism as estrogen-induced hypocalcemia may occur.
- As an aldosterone antagonist, drospirenone may increase the possibility of hyponatremia in high-risk patients.
- Endometriosis may be exacerbated with administration of estrogens.
- Exogenous estrogens may exacerbate symptoms of angioedema in women with hereditary angioedema.
- Estrogen therapy may cause an exacerbation of asthma, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, migraine, porphyria, systemic lupus erythematosus otosclerosis, chorea minor and hepatic hemangiomas and should be used with caution in women with these conditions. In women with hereditary angioedema exogenous estrogens may induce or exacerbate symptoms of angioedema.
- Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol concentrations have not been shown to be useful in the management of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms.
- Accelerated prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and platelet aggregation time; increased platelet count; increased factors II, VII antigen, VIII antigen, VIII coagulant activity, IX, X, XII, VIIX complex, IIVIIX complex, and beta-thromboglobulin; decreased concentrations of anti-factor Xa and antithrombin III, decreased antithrombi III activity; increased concentrations of fibrinogen and fibrinogen activity; increased plasminogen antigen and activity.
- Increased TBG concentrations leading to increased circulating total thyroid hormone, as measured by protein-bound iodine (PBI), T4 concentrations (by column or by radioimmunoassay) or T3 concentrations by radioimmunoassay. T3 resin uptake is decreased, reflecting the elevated TBG. Free T4 and free T3 concentrations are unaltered. Women on thyroid replacement therapy may require higher doses of thyroid hormone.
- Other binding proteins may be elevated in serum, for example, corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG), sex hormone binding globulin, leading to increased total circulating corticosteroids and sex steroids, respectively. Free hormone concentrations, such as testosterone and estradiol, may be decreased. Other plasma proteins may be increased (angiotensinogen/renin substrate, alpha-l-antitrypsin, ceruloplasmin).
- Increased plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and HDL2 subfraction concentrations, reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration, increased triglyceride concentrations.
- Impaired glucose tolerance.
- Reduced response to metyrapone test.

# Adverse Reactions

## Clinical Trials Experience
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling:
Cardiovascular Disorders 
Malignant Neoplasms
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
From clinical trials with different dose formulations of Angeliq containing E2 dose ranging from 0.5 mg to 1.0 mg combined with DRSP dose ranging from 0.25 mg to 3 mg:
The most common adverse reactions were gastrointestinal and abdominal pain, female genital bleeding, breast pain and headache. The frequencies of common adverse reactions, in general, were higher for the Angeliq dose formulation containing E2 1 mg compared to Angeliq containing E2 0.5 mg.
The most common adverse reactions leading to drug discontinuation in controlled clinical trials were abdominal pain, headache, postmenopausal bleeding, breast tenderness, and weight increased.
Placebo-Controlled Trial:
In a placebo-controlled trial evaluating Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2, 183 postmenopausal women received at least one dose of DRSP 0.25 mg/0.5 mg E2 and 180 received placebo. Study subjects were treated for 3 cycles of 28 days each for a total of 12 weeks of treatment. The median age was 53 years (range: 40-77 years) and over 50% of subjects had a hysterectomy, 68% were Caucasian and 24% were Black. Table 1 summarizes adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of subjects receiving Angeliq 0.25 mg DRS/0.5 mg E2 and at a higher incidence than subjects receiving placebo.

## Postmarketing Experience
- The following additional adverse reactions have been reported during post approval use of Angeliq. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, reliably estimating their frequency or establishing a causal relationship to drug exposure is not always possible.
- Immune System Disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions, including rash, pruritis, and urticaria
- Reproductive system and breast disorders: Breast cancer
- Vascular disorders: venous and arterial thromboembolic events (peripheral deep venous occlusion, thrombosis and embolism/pulmonary vascular occlusion, thrombosis, embolism and infarction/myocardial infarction/cerebral infarction and stroke not specified as hemorrhagic)

# Drug Interactions
- No formal drug-drug interaction studies have been conducted for Angeliq.
- Effect of Drospirenone on Other Drugs
- Metabolism of DRSP and potential effects of DRSP on hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes have been investigated in in vitro and in vivo studies.
- In in vitro studies, DRSP did not affect turnover of model substrates of CYP1A2 and CYP2D6, but had an inhibitory influence on the turnover of model substrates of CYP1A1, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 with CYP2C19 being the most sensitive enzyme. The potential effect of DRSP on CYP2C19 activity was investigated in a clinical pharmacokinetic study using omeprazole as a marker substrate. No significant effect of DRSP on the systemic clearance of the CYP3A4 product omeprazole sulfone was found. These results demonstrated that DRSP did not inhibit CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 in vivo.
- Two further clinical drug-drug interaction studies using simvastatin and midazolam as marker substrates for CYP3A4, respectively, were performed and the results of these studies demonstrated that pharmacokinetics of the CYP3A4 substrates were not influenced by steady-state DRSP concentrations.
- Based on the available results of in vivo and in vitro studies, it can be concluded that, at clinical dose concentration, DRSP is unlikely to interact significantly with CYP enzymes.
- Co-administration of drospirenone and drugs that may increase serum potassium: There is a potential for an increase in serum potassium in women taking drospirenone with other drugs that may affect electrolytes, such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or NSAIDs, more pronounced in diabetic women.
- Electrolytes were studied in postmenopausal women with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus requiring an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). After 28 days of exposure to 1 mg E2 and 3 mg DRSP (n=112) or placebo (n=118). the mean change from baseline in serum potassium was 0.11 mEq/L for the E2/DRSP group and 0.08 mEq/L for the placebo group. None of the subjects with serum potassium concentrations 5.5 mEq/L had cardiovascular adverse events.
- A drug-drug interaction study of DRSP 3 mg/E2 1 mg versus placebo was performed in mildly hypertensive postmenopausal women taking enalapril maleate 10 mg twice daily. Potassium concentrations were obtained every other day for a total of 2 weeks in all subjects. Mean serum potassium concentrations in the DRSP/E2 treatment group relative to baseline were 0.22 mEq/L higher than those in the placebo group. On Day 14, the ratios for serum potassium Cmax and AUC in the DRSP/E2 group to those in the placebo group were 0.955 (90% CI: 0.914, 0.999) and 1.01 (90% CI: 0.944, 1.08), respectively. No patient in either treatment group developed hyperkalemia (serum potassium concentrations >5.5 mEq/L).
- Of note, occasional or chronic use of NSAID medication was not restricted in any of the Angeliq clinical trials.
- In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that estrogens are metabolized partially by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Therefore, inducers or inhibitors of CYP3A4 may affect estrogen drug metabolism. Inducers of CYP3A4 such as St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and rifampin may reduce plasma concentrations of estrogens, possibly resulting in a decrease in therapeutic effects and/or changes in the uterine bleeding profile. Inhibitors of CYP3A4 such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir and grapefruit juice may increase plasma concentrations of estrogens and may result in side effects.
- Acute alcohol ingestion during use of hormone therapy may lead to elevations of circulating E2 concentrations.

# Use in Specific Populations

### Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category (FDA):
- Angeliq should not be used during pregnancy. There appears to be little or no increased risk of birth defects in children born to women who have used estrogens and progestins as an oral contraceptive inadvertently during early pregnancy.
Pregnancy Category (AUS): 
There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Drospirenone and estradiol in women who are pregnant.

### Labor and Delivery
There is no FDA guidance on use of Drospirenone and estradiol during labor and delivery.

### Nursing Mothers
- Angeliq should not be used during lactation. Estrogen administration to nursing women has been shown to decrease the quantity and quality of the breast milk. Detectable amounts of estrogens have been identified in the milk of women receiving estrogen. Caution should be exercised when Angeliq is administered to a nursing woman.
- After administration of an oral contraceptive containing DRSP about 0.02% of the DRSP dose was excreted into the breast milk of postpartum women within 24 hours. This results in a maximal daily dose of about 3 mcg DRSP in an infant.

### Pediatric Use
- Angeliq is not indicated in children. Clinical studies have not been conducted in the pediatric populations.

### Geriatic Use
- There have not been sufficient numbers of geriatric women involved in clinical studies utilizing Angeliq to determine whether those over 65 years of age differ from younger women in their response to Angeliq.

### Gender
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Drospirenone and estradiol with respect to specific gender populations.

### Race
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Drospirenone and estradiol with respect to specific racial populations.

### Renal Impairment
- Angeliq is contraindicated in patients with renal impairment because of the risk of hyperkalemia.

### Hepatic Impairment
- Angeliq is contraindicated in patients with hepatic impairment because of the risk of increased DRSP exposure and subsequent hyperkalemia.

### Females of Reproductive Potential and Males
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Drospirenone and estradiol in women of reproductive potentials and males.

### Immunocompromised Patients
There is no FDA guidance one the use of Drospirenone and estradiol in patients who are immunocompromised.

### Adrenal Insufficiency
- Angeliq is contraindicated in patients with adrenal insufficiency because of the risk of hyperkalemia.

# Administration and Monitoring

### Administration
- Oral

### Monitoring
- Monitor thyroid function in women on thyroid replacement therapy

# IV Compatibility
There is limited information regarding the compatibility of Drospirenone and estradiol and IV administrations.

# Overdosage
- Overdosage of estrogen plus progestin may cause nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness, abdominal pain, drowsiness and fatigue, and withdrawal bleeding may occur in women. Treatment of overdose consists of discontinuation of Angeliq therapy with institution of appropriate symptomatic care.

# Pharmacology
There is limited information regarding Drospirenone and estradiol Pharmacology in the drug label.

## Mechanism of Action
- Endogenous estrogens are largely responsible for the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics. Although circulating estrogens exist in a dynamic equilibrium of metabolic interconversions, estradiol (E2) is the principal intracellular human estrogen and is substantially more potent than its metabolites, estrone and estriol, at the receptor level.
- The primary source of estrogen in normally cycling adult women is the ovarian follicle, which secretes 70 to 500 mcg of estradiol daily, depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. After menopause, most endogenous estrogen is produced by conversion of androstenedione, secreted by the adrenal cortex, to estrone in the peripheral tissues. Thus, estrone and the sulfate-conjugated form, estrone sulfate, are the most abundant circulating estrogens in postmenopausal women.

## Structure
- Angeliq tablets, for oral administration, provide a hormone regimen consisting of drospirenone and estradiol.
- Drospirenone, (6R,7R,8R,9S,10R,13S,14S,15S,16S,17S)-1,3 ,4 ,6, 6a,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,15a,16-hexadecahydro-10,13-dimethylspiro-cyclopentaphenanthrene- 17,2 (5H)-furan]-3,5 (2H)-dione (CAS) is a synthetic progestational compound and has a molecular weight of 366.5 and a molecular formula of C24H30O3.
- Estradiol USP, (Estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17-diol,17), has a molecular weight of 272.39 and the molecular formula is C18H24O2. The structural formulas are as follows:
- The inactive ingredients in Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 tablets are: lactose monohydrate NF, corn starch NF, pregelatinized starch NF, povidone 25000 USP, magnesium stearate NF, hydroxylpropylmethyl cellulose USP, macrogol 6000 NF, talc USP, titanium dioxide USP, and red ferric oxide pigment NF.
- The inactive ingredients in Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2 tablets are: lactose monohydrate NF, corn starch NF, pregelatinized starch NF, povidone 25000 USP, magnesium stearate NF, hydroxylpropylmethyl cellulose USP, macrogol 6000 NF, talc USP, titanium dioxide USP, and yellow ferric oxide pigment NF.

## Pharmacodynamics
- No clinical pharmacology studies have been conducted for Angeliq.

## Pharmacokinetics
- Serum concentrations of DRSP reach peak concentrations approximately 1 hour after administration of Angeliq and mean absolute bioavailability of DRSP ranges from 7685%. Following oral administration, the median Tmax of serum estradiol was approximately 2 hours after dosing with Angeliq and Tmax ranged between 0.3-10 hours.
- The pharmacokinetics of DRSP are dose proportional within the dose range of 0.254 mg. Following daily dosing of Angeliq, steady state DRSP concentrations were observed after 10 days. Mean accumulation ratios for DRSP and estradiol were 2.3 and 2.0, respectively, following multiple doses of 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2, and 2.6 and 1.6, respectively, following multiple doses of 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2. Mean concentrations at 2 hours for DRSP ranged between 5.9 and 6.7 ng/mL after treatment with Angeliq (0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2) for 365 days. Mean steady state serum DRSP and E2 concentrations are shown in Figure 1, and a summary of primary pharmacokinetic parameters following the administration of 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2 or 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 at steady state is presented in Table 3.
- The effect of food on the absorption and bioavailability of DRSP and E2 have not been investigated following the administration of Angeliq. However, clinical studies with different formulations containing DRSP or E2 have shown that the bioavailability of both drugs is not affected by concomitant food intake.
- The mean volume of distribution of DRSP is 4.2 L/kg. DRSP does not bind to SHBG or CBG but binds about 97% to other serum proteins. The distribution of exogenous estrogens is similar to that of endogenous estrogens. Estrogens are widely distributed in the body and are generally found in higher concentrations in the sex hormone target organs. Estradiol circulates in the blood bound to SHBG (37%) and to albumin (61%), while only approximately 1%2% is unbound.
- Mean clearance of DRSP is 1.2 mL/min/kg. DRSP is extensively metabolized after oral administration. The 2 main metabolites of DRSP found in human plasma were identified to be the acid form of DRSP generated by opening of the lactone ring and the 4,5-dihydrodrospirenone-3-sulfate, both of which are formed without the involvement of the CYP system. These metabolites were shown not to be pharmacologically active. In in vitro studies with human liver microsomes, DRSP was metabolized only to a minor extent mainly by CYP3A4.
- Exogenous estrogens are metabolized in the same manner as endogenous estrogens. Circulating estrogens exist in a dynamic equilibrium of metabolic interconversions. These transformations take place mainly in the liver. Estradiol is converted reversibly to estrone, and both can be converted to estriol, which is a major urinary metabolite. Estrogens also undergo enterohepatic recirculation via sulfate and glucuronide conjugation in the liver, biliary secretion of conjugates into the intestine, and hydrolysis in the gut followed by reabsorption. In postmenopausal women, a significant proportion of the circulating estrogens exist as sulfate conjugates, especially estrone sulfate, which serves as a circulating reservoir for the formation of more active estrogens.

## Nonclinical Toxicology
There is limited information regarding Drospirenone and estradiol Nonclinical Toxicology in the drug label.

# Clinical Studies
- Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2
- The efficacy of Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2 for reducing the frequency and severity of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 735 postmenopausal women  40 years of age with a minimum of 7 to 8 moderate to severe hot flashes daily or 50 to 60 moderate to severe hot flashes weekly were randomized to one of the two doses of Angeliq, including DRSP 0.25 mg/0.5 mg E2, estrogen monotherapy, or placebo. The median age of study subjects was 53 years and 68% were Caucasian. Efficacy for vasomotor symptoms was assessed during the 12 weeks of treatment. Compared to placebo, subjects receiving Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2 achieved statistically significant reduction in the frequency and severity of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms at Week 4 and at Week 12. The mean difference in daily reduction of frequency of hot flushes between Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2 and placebo were approximately -2 episodes at Week 4 and -3 episodes at Week 12. Table 4 shows the mean number of hot flushes in the Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2 and placebo groups and the treatment difference between Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2 and placebo treatment at Week 4 and at Week 12.
- For those outcomes included in the WHI "global index" that reached statistical significance, the absolute excess risk per 10,000 women-years in the group treated with CE-alone was 12 more strokes, while the absolute risk reduction per 10,000 women-years was 7 fewer hip fractures.9 The absolute excess risk of events included in the "global index" was a non-significant 5 events per 10,000 women-years. There was no difference between the groups in terms of all-cause mortality.
- No overall difference for primary CHD events (nonfatal MI, silent MI and CHD death) and invasive breast cancer incidence in women receiving CE-alone compared with placebo was reported in final centrally adjudicated results from the estrogen-alone substudy, after an average follow-up of 7.1 years.
- Centrally adjudicated results for stroke events from the estrogen-alone substudy, after an average follow-up of 7.1 years, reported no significant difference in distribution of stroke subtype or severity, including fatal strokes, in women receiving CE-alone compared to placebo. Estrogen-alone increased the risk for ischemic stroke, and this excess risk was present in all subgroups of women examined.10
- Timing of the initiation of estrogen therapy relative to the start of menopause may affect the overall risk benefit profile. The WHI estrogen-alone substudy stratified by age showed in women 50 to 59 years of age, a non-significant trend toward reduced risk for CHD  and overall mortality .
- The WHIMS estrogen plus progestin ancillary study of WHI enrolled 4,532 predominantly healthy postmenopausal women 65 years of age and older (47 percent were 65 to 69 years of age, 35 percent were 70 to 74 years of age, and 18 percent were 75 years of age and older) to evaluate the effects of daily CE (0.625 mg) plus MPA (2.5 mg) on the incidence of probable dementia (primary outcome) compared to placebo.
- After an average follow-up of 4 years, the relative risk of probable dementia for CE plus MPA versus placebo was 2.05 (95 percent CI 1.21-3.48). The absolute risk of probable dementia for CE plus MPA was 45 versus 22 cases per 10,000 women-years. Probable dementia as defined in this study included Alzheimers disease (AD, vascular dementia (VaD) and mixed type (having features of both AD and VaD). The most common classification of probable dementia in the treatment group and the placebo group was AD. Since the ancillary study was conducted in women 65 to 79 years of age, it is unknown whether these findings apply to younger postmenopausal women.
- The WHIMS estrogen-alone ancillary study of WHI enrolled 2,947 predominantly healthy hysterectomized postmenopausal women 65 to 79 years of age and older (45 percent were age 65 to 69 years of age, 36 percent were 70 to 74 years of age, and 19 percent were 75 years of age and older) to evaluate the effects of daily CE (0.625 mg) on the incidence of probable dementia (primary outcome) compared to placebo.
- After an average follow-up of 5.2 years, the relative risk of probable dementia for CE-alone versus placebo was 1.49 (95 percent CI, 0.83 - 2.66). The absolute risk of probable dementia for CE-alone versus placebo was 37 versus 25 cases per 10,000 women-years. Probable dementia as defined in this study included AD, VaD, and mixed type (having features of both AD and VaD). The most common classification of probable dementia in the treatment group and placebo group was AD. Since the ancillary study was conducted in women 65 to 79 years of age, it is unknown whether these findings apply to younger postmenopausal women.
- When data from the two populations were pooled as planned in the WHIMS protocol, the reported overall RR for probable dementia was 1.76 (95 percent CI 1.19-2.60). Differences between groups became apparent in the first year of treatment. It is unknown whether these findings apply to younger postmenopausal women

# How Supplied
There is limited information regarding Drospirenone and estradiol How Supplied in the drug label.

## Storage
- Store at 25 C (77 F); excursions permitted to 1530 C (5986 F)

# Images

## Drug Images
- Angeliq is supplied in packages of three blisterpacks:
- Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2
- Angeliq 0.25 mg DRSP/0.5 mg E2 tablets are available as round, biconvex yellow film-coated tablets embossed with "EL" inside a hexagon.
- 3 blisters of 28 tablets NDC 50419-482-03
- Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2
- Angeliq 0.5 mg DRSP/1 mg E2 tablets are available as round, biconvex pink film-coated tablets embossed with "CK" inside a hexagon.
- 3 blisters of 28 tablets NDC 50419-483-03

## Package and Label Display Panel

# Patient Counseling Information
- Inform postmenopausal women of the importance of reporting abnormal vaginal bleeding to their healthcare provider as soon as possible.
- Inform postmenopausal women of possible serious adverse reactions of estrogen plus progestin therapy including cardiovascular disorders, malignant neoplasms, and probable dementia.
- Inform postmenopausal women of possible less serious but common adverse reactions of estrogen plus progestin therapy such as headache, breast pain and tenderness, nausea and vomiting.

# Precautions with Alcohol
Alcohol-Drospirenone and estradiol interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.

# Brand Names
- ANGELIQ

# Look-Alike Drug Names
There is limited information regarding Drospirenone and estradiol Look-Alike Drug Names in the drug label.

# Drug Shortage Status

# Price