LoSeasonique (levonorgestrel 0.1 mg ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg) Dailymed

LOSEASONIQUE is contraindicated in females who are known to have or develop the following conditions:

• A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases. Examples include females who are known to:
  • Smoke, if over age 35 [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
  • Have current or history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
  • Have cerebrovascular disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
  • Have coronary artery disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
  • Have thrombogenic valvular or thrombogenic rhythm diseases of the heart (for example, subacute bacterial endocarditis with valvular disease, or atrial fibrillation) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]
  • Have inherited or acquired hypercoagulopathies [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]
  • Have uncontrolled hypertension or hypertension with vascular disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]
  • Have diabetes mellitus and are over age 35, diabetes mellitus with hypertension or with vascular disease or other end-organ damage, or diabetes mellitus of > 20 years duration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]
  • Have headaches with focal neurological symptoms, migraine headaches with aura, or over age 35 with any migraine headaches [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)]
• Current diagnosis of, or history of, breast cancer, which may be hormone sensitive [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11)]
• Liver tumors, acute viral hepatitis, or severe (decompensated) cirrhosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
•  Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)]
• Use of Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to the potential for ALT elevations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

• A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases (4)
• Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding (4)
• Breast cancer (4)
• Liver tumors or liver disease, acute viral hepatitis or decompensated cirrhosis (4)
• Co-administration with Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir. (4)

5 Warnings And Precautions

• Vascular risks: Stop if a thrombotic or thromboembolic event occurs. Stop at least 4 weeks before and through 2 weeks after major surgery. Start no earlier than 4 weeks after delivery, in women who are not breastfeeding. Consider cardiovascular risk factors before initiating in all females, particularly those over 35 years. (5.1, 5.5)
• Liver disease: Discontinue if jaundice occurs. (5.2)
• Hypertension: If used in females with well-controlled hypertension, monitor blood pressure and stop if blood pressure rises significantly. (5.3)
• Gallbladder disease: May cause or worsen gallbladder disease. (5.6)
• Adverse carbohydrate and lipid metabolic effects: Monitor glucose in prediabetic and diabetic women taking LOSEASONIQUE. Consider an alternate contraceptive method for women with uncontrolled dyslipidemias. (5.7)
• Headache: Evaluate significant change in headaches and discontinue if indicated. (5.8)
• Uterine bleeding: May cause irregular bleeding or amenorrhea. Evaluate for other causes if symptoms persist. (5.9)

5.1 ThromboembolicDisorders and Other Vascular Conditions

• Stop LOSEASONIQUE if an arterial or deep venous thrombotic/thromboembolic event occurs.
• Stop LOSEASONIQUE if there is unexplained loss of vision, proptosis, diplopia, papilledema, or retinal vascular lesions and evaluate for retinal vein thrombosis immediately.
• Discontinue LOSEASONIQUE during prolonged immobilization. If feasible, stop LOSEASONIQUE at least 4 weeks before and through 2 weeks after major surgery, or other surgeries known to have an elevated risk of thromboembolism.
• Start LOSEASONIQUE no earlier than 4 weeks after delivery, in females who are not breastfeeding. The risk of postpartum thromboembolism decreases after the third postpartum week, whereas the risk of ovulation increases after the third postpartum week.
• Before starting LOSEASONIQUE evaluate any past medical history or family history of thrombotic or thromboembolic disorders and consider whether the history suggests an inherited or acquired hypercoagulopathy. LOSEASONIQUE is contraindicated in females with a high risk of arterial or venous/thromboembolic diseases [see Contraindications (4)].

Arterial Events

COCs increase the risk of cardiovascular events and cerebrovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. The risk is greater among older women (>35 years of age), smokers, and females with hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, or obesity.

LOSEASONIQUE is contraindicated in women over 35 years of age who smoke [see Contraindications (4)]. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from COC use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked.

Venous Events

Use of COCs increases the risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs), such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Risk factors for VTEs include smoking, obesity, and family history of VTE, in addition to other factors that contraindicate use of COCs [see Contraindications (4)]. While the increased risk of VTE associated with use of COCs is well-established, the rates of VTE are even greater during pregnancy, and especially during the postpartum period (see Figure 1). The rate of VTE in females using COCs has been estimated to be 3 to 9 cases per 10,000 woman years.

The risk of VTE is highest during the first year of use of a COC and when restarting hormonal contraception after a break of four weeks or longer. The risk of thromboembolic disease due to COCs gradually disappears after COC use is discontinued.

Figure 1 shows the risk of developing a VTE for females who are not pregnant and do not use oral contraceptives, for females who use oral contraceptives, and for females in the postpartum period. To put the risk of developing a VTE into perspective: If 10,000 females who are not pregnant and do not use oral contraceptives are followed for one year, between 1 and 5 of these females will develop a VTE.

Use of LOSEASONIQUE provides females with more hormonal exposure on a yearly basis than conventional monthly oral contraceptives containing the same strength synthetic estrogens and progestins (an additional 9 and 13 weeks of exposure to progestin and estrogen, respectively, per year).

5.2 Liver Disease

Elevated Liver Enzymes

LOSEASONIQUE is contraindicated in females with acute viral hepatitis or severe (decompensated) cirrhosis of the liver [see Contraindications (4)]. Acute liver test abnormalities may necessitate the discontinuation of LOSEASONIQUE until the liver tests return to normal and LOSEASONIQUE causation has been excluded.  Discontinue LOSEASONIQUE if jaundice develops.

Liver Tumors

LOSEASONIQUE is contraindicated in females with benign or malignant liver tumors [see Contraindications (4)]. COCs increase the risk of hepatic adenomas. An estimate of the attributable risk is 3.3 cases/100,000 COC users. Rupture of hepatic adenomas may cause death from abdominal hemorrhage.

Studies have shown an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in long-term (> 8 years) COC users. The attributable risk of liver cancers in COC users is less than one case per million users.

5.3 Hypertension

LOSEASONIQUE is contraindicated in females with uncontrolled hypertension or hypertension with vascular disease [see Contraindications (4)]. For all females, including those with well-controlled hypertension, monitor blood pressure at routine visits and stop LOSEASONIQUE if blood pressure rises significantly.

An increase in blood pressure has been reported in females taking COCs, and this increase is more likely in older women and with extended duration of use. The effect of COCs on blood pressure may vary according to the progestin in the COC.

5.4 Risk of Liver Enzyme Elevations with Concomitant Hepatitis C Treatment

During clinical trials with the Hepatitis C combination drug regimen that contains ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, ALT elevations greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), including some cases greater than 20 times the ULN, were significantly more frequent in women using ethinyl estradiol-containing medications, such as COCs. Discontinue LOSEASONIQUE prior to starting therapy with the combination drug regimen ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, [see Contraindications (4)]. LOSEASONIQUE can be restarted approximately 2 weeks following completion of treatment with the Hepatitis C combination drug regimen.

5.5 Age-relatedConsiderations

The risk for cardiovascular disease and prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease increases with age. Certain conditions, such as smoking and migraine headache without aura, that do not contraindicate COC use in younger females, are contraindications to use in women over 35 years of age [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Consider the presence of underlying risk factors that may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease or VTE, particularly before initiating a COC for women over 35 years, such as:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Dyslipidemia
• Obesity

5.6 Gallbladder Disease

Studies suggest a small increased relative risk of developing gallbladder disease among COC users. Use of COCs, including LOSEASONIQUE, may also worsen existing gallbladder disease.

A past history of COC-related cholestasis predicts an increased risk with subsequent COC use. Females with a history of pregnancy-related cholestasis may be at an increased risk for COC-related cholestasis.

5.7 AdverseCarbohydrate and Lipid Metabolic Effects

Hyperglycemia

LOSEASONIQUE is contraindicated in diabetic women over age 35, or females who have diabetes with hypertension, nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, other vascular disease, or females with diabetes of > 20 years duration [see Contraindications (4)]. LOSEASONIQUE may decrease glucose tolerance. Carefully monitor prediabetic and diabetic females who are taking COCs.

Dyslipidemia

Consider alternative contraception for females with uncontrolled dyslipidemias. LOSEASONIQUE may cause adverse lipid changes.

Females with hypertriglyceridemia, or a family history thereof, may have an increase in serum triglyceride concentrations when using LOSEASONIQUE, which may increase the risk of pancreatitis.

5.8 Headache

LOSEASONIQUE is contraindicated in females who have headaches with focal neurological symptoms or have migraine headaches with aura, and in women over 35 years of age who have migraine headaches with or without aura [see Contraindications (4)].

If a woman taking LOSEASONIQUE develops new headaches that are recurrent, persistent, or severe, evaluate the cause and discontinue LOSEASONIQUE if indicated. Consider discontinuation of LOSEASONIQUE if there is an increased frequency or severity of migraine during COC use (which may be prodromal of a cerebrovascular event).

5.9 Bleeding Irregularitiesand Amenorrhea

Unscheduled Bleeding and Spotting

Females using LOSEASONIQUE may experience unscheduled (breakthrough or intracyclic) bleeding and spotting, especially during the first 3 months of use. Bleeding irregularities may resolve over time or by changing to a different contraceptive product. If bleeding persists or occurs after previously regular cycles, evaluate for causes such as pregnancy or malignancy.

When prescribing LOSEASONIQUE, the occurrence of fewer planned menses (4 per year instead of 13 per year) should be weighed against the occurrence of increased unscheduled bleeding and/or spotting. The clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy of LOSEASONIQUE also assessed unscheduled bleeding. The participants in this 12-month clinical trial (N=2,185) completed the equivalent of over 20,000 28-day cycles of exposure and were composed primarily of women who had used OCs previously (89%), as opposed to new users (11%). A total of 209 subjects (9.6%) discontinued LOSEASONIQUE, at least in part, due to bleeding and/or spotting.

Scheduled (withdrawal) bleeding and/or spotting remained fairly constant over time, with an average of 2-3 days of bleeding and/or spotting per each 91-day cycle. Unscheduled bleeding and unscheduled spotting decreased over successive 91-day cycles. Table 2 below presents the number of days with unscheduled bleeding in treatment cycles 1 and 4. Table 3 presents the number of days with unscheduled spotting in treatment cycles 1 and 4.

Table 2: Total Number of Days with Unscheduled Bleeding

91-Day Treatment Cycle	Days per 84-Day Interval				Days per 28-Day Interval
	Q1	Median	Q3	Mean	Mean
1st	0	5	11	7.5	2.5
4th	0	0	5	3.5	1.2

 Q1=Quartile 1: 25% of women had this number of days of unscheduled bleeding

Median: 50% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled bleeding

Q3=Quartile 3: 75% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled bleeding

Table 3: Total Number of Days with Unscheduled Spotting

91-Day Treatment Cycle	Days per 84-Day Interval				Days per 28-Day Interval
	Q1	Median	Q3	Mean	Mean
1st	3	10	19	14.0	4.7
4th	0	3	10	6.5	2.2

 Q1=Quartile 1: 25% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled spotting

Median: 50% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled spotting

Q3=Quartile 3: 75% of women had ≤ this number of days of unscheduled spotting

Figure 2 shows the percentage of LOSEASONIQUE subjects participating in the primary clinical trial with ≥7 days or ≥20 days of unscheduled bleeding and/or spotting, or just unscheduled bleeding, during each 91-day treatment cycle.

Figure 2:         Percent of Women Taking LOSEASONIQUE who Reported Unscheduled Bleeding and/or Spotting (Based on Daily Diaries)

If unscheduled spotting or bleeding occurs, instruct the patient to continue on the same regimen. If the bleeding is persistent or prolonged, advise the patient to consult her healthcare provider.

Amenorrhea and Oligomenorrhea

Females who use LOSEASONIQUE may experience absence of scheduled (withdrawal) bleeding, even if they are not pregnant.

If scheduled bleeding does not occur, consider the possibility of pregnancy.

After discontinuation of LOSEASONIQUE, amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea may occur, especially if these conditions were pre-existent.

5.10 Depression

Carefully observe females with a history of depression and discontinue LOSEASONIQUE if depression recurs to a serious degree. Data on the association of COCs with the onset of depression or exacerbation of existing depression are limited.

5.11 MalignantNeoplasms

Breast Cancer

LOSEASONIQUE is contraindicated in females who currently have or have had breast cancer because breast cancer may be hormonally sensitive [see Contraindications (4)].

Epidemiology studies have not found a consistent association between use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and breast cancer risk. Studies do not show an association between ever (current or past) use of COCs and risk of breast cancer. However, some studies report a small increase in the risk of breast cancer among current or recent users (<6 months since last use) and current users with longer duration of COC use [see Postmarketing Experience (6.2)].

Cervical Cancer

Some studies suggest that COCs are associated with an increase in the risk of cervical cancer or intraepithelial neoplasia. However, there is controversy about the extent to which these findings are due to differences in sexual behavior and other factors.

5.12 Effecton Binding Globulins

The estrogen component of LOSEASONIQUE may raise the serum concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin, sex hormone-binding globulin, and cortisol-binding globulin. The dose of replacement thyroid hormone or cortisol therapy may need to be increased.

5.13 HereditaryAngioedema

In females with hereditary angioedema, exogenous estrogens, including LOSEASONIQUE, may induce or exacerbate symptoms of hereditary angioedema.

5.14 Chloasma

Chloasma may occur with LOSEASONIQUE use, especially in females with a history of chloasma gravidarum. Advise females with a history of chloasma to avoid exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation while using LOSEASONIQUE.