Fematab tablets contain the active ingredient estradiol valerate, which is a naturally occuring form of the main female sex hormone, oestrogen.
What is it used for?
- Hormone replacement therapy to relieve symptoms of the menopause
- Second-line option for preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who are at high risk of fractures and cannot take other medicines licensed for preventing osteoporosis (FemTab 2mg tablets only).
How does it work?
- FemaTab tablets contain the active ingredient estradiol valerate (previously spelt oestradiol valerate in the UK), which is a naturally occuring form of the main female sex hormone, oestrogen.
- Womens' ovaries gradually produce less and less oestrogen in the period up to the menopause, and oestrogen blood levels decline as a result.
Use with caution in
- Close family history of breast cancer (eg mother, sister or grandmother has had the disease)
- History of benign breast lumps (fibrocystic breast disease)
- History of fibroids in the womb
- History of endometriosis
- History of overgrowth of the lining of the womb (endometrial hyperplasia)
- Personal or family history of blood clots in the veins (venous thromboembolism, eg deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)
- Blood disorders that increase the risk of blood clots in the veins, eg antiphospholipid syndrome, factor V Leiden
- Women taking medicines to prevent blood clots (anticoagulants), eg warfarin
- Long-term inflammation of skin and some internal organs (systemic lupus erythematosus)
- Personal or family history of recurrent miscarriage
- Severe obesity
- Varicose veins
- Smokers
- History of high blood pressure (hypertension)
- Raised levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood (hypertriglyceridaemia)
- History of liver disease, eg liver cancer
- Decreased kidney function
- Heart failure
- History of diabetes
- History of gallstones
- History of migraines or severe headaches
- History of epilepsy
- History of asthma
- History of an ear disorder that may cause hearing loss (otosclerosis)
- History of irregular brown patches appearing on the skin, usually of the face, during pregnancy or previous use of hormone preparations such as contraceptive pills (chloasma). Women with a tendency to this condition should minimise their exposure to the sun or UV light while taking HRT.
Not to be used in
- Known, suspected, or past history of breast cancer
- Known or suspected cancer in which growth of the cancer is stimulated by oestrogen, eg cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrial cancer)
- Untreated overgrowth of the lining of the womb (endometrial hyperplasia)
- Vaginal bleeding of unknown cause
- Women with a blood clot in a vein of the leg (deep vein thrombosis) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), or a past history of these conditions where the cause is unknown
- Women who have recently had a stroke caused by a blood clot
- Women who have recently had a heart attack
- Angina pectoris
- Active liver disease
- History of liver disease when liver function has not returned to normal
- Hereditary blood disorders known as porphyrias
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor immediately if you get pregnant during treatment.
- A woman is considered fertile for two years after her last menstrual period if she is under 50, or for one year if over 50. HRT does not provide contraception for women who fall within this group. If you could get pregnant while taking this HRT, you should use a non-hormonal method of contraception (eg condoms or contraceptive foam). Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Breakthrough bleeding and spotting
- Breast pain, tenderness or enlargement
- Headache/migraine
- Gut disturbances, such as nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, indigestion
- Leg cramps
- Fatigue
- Weight changes
- Vaginal thrush
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Changes in sex drive
- Rise in blood pressure
- Gall bladder disease
- Swelling of the ankles due to to fluid retention (peripheral oedema)
- Skin reactions such as rash and itch
- Steepening of corneal curvature which may make contact lenses uncomfortable.
- Premenstrual-like symptoms
- Disturbance in liver function
- Irregular brown patches on the skin, usually of the face (chloasma)
- Blood clots in the blood vessels
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
The following medicines may potentially reduce the blood levels and effect of this medicine, which could result in recurrence of symptoms or irregular bleeding:
- antiepileptic medicines such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and primidone
- barbiturates such as amobarbital
- protease inhibitors for HIV infection such as ritonavir and nelfinavir
- rifamycin antibiotics such as rifabutin and rifampicin
- the herbal remedy St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum).
- Oestrogens may increase the blood level of ropinirole used to treat Parkinson's disease.
Some women with diabetes may need small adjustments in their dose of insulin or antidiabetic tablets while taking this medicine. You should monitor your blood sugar and seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist if your blood sugar control seems to be altered after starting this medicine.
References:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/a8528/femtab-discontinued-in-the-uk/
http://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/2134865.PA0108_018_001.fdb5e3f2-e5a4-4f59-910e-bedba9273820.000001Product%20Leaflet%20Approved.140424.pdf
https://www.drugs.com/international/fematab.html
http://www.fertilityfriends.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=268610.0
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