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Nexesta Fe Review


Nexesta Fe (ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone) is a combination chewable drug which is used to prevent pregnancy.

Contents:

Indications for use

  • Pregnancy prevention;
  • Hormone replacement therapy;
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding;
  • Painful periods;
  • Lactation suppression;
  • Abnormal tissue growth outside the uterus;
  • PMS;
  • Threatened miscarriage;
  • Uterus cancer.

Mechanism of action

The drug works by inhibiting the ovulation, slowing the release of the egg in the ovary and preventing pregnancy.

Dosage and mode of application

Nexesta Fe pack includes 28 tablets:

  • 21 chewable tablets (hormonal), each containing norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol 0.4mg/0.035 mg;
  • 7 chewable tablets (non-hormonal), each containing 75 mg ferrous fumarate, which do not provide a contraceptive effect but serve as reminders.

Tablets may be swallowed whole or chewed and swallowed. If you chew the tablet, you should drink a glass of water after swallowing.

You may start using the drug either on Day 1 of your period or be a Sunday starter. For the first cycle of a Sunday Start regimen, you need to use an additional birth control method for the first 7 days.

Starting Nexesta Fe:

Day 1 Start:

  • Take the first tablet on the first day of your period;
  • Keep taking 1 tablet per day at about the same time for 28 days;
  • Begin a new pack without interruption (i.e., on the day after taking the last reminder tablet).

Sunday Start:

  • Take the first tablet on the first Sunday after the onset of your period. Use an additional backup contraception method for the first 7 days of your first cycle pack;
  • Keep taking 1 tablet per day at about the same time for 28 days;
  • Begin a new pack without interruption (i.e., on the day after taking the last reminder tablet). Additional backup contraception methods are not needed.

Switching to Nexesta Fe from another COC:

Take the first tablet on the same day that a new pack of the previous COC would have started.

Switching from another birth control method (transdermal patch, vaginal ring, injection, transdermal patch):

Take the first tablet on the day when next application/insertion/injection would have been scheduled.

Switching from intrauterine contraceptive (IUD):

Take the first tablet on the day of IUD removal. If the IUD is not removed on the first day of the period, use an additional backup contraceptive method for the first 7 days of the first cycle pack.

Switching from an implant:

Take the first tablet on the day of an implant removal.

Starting Nexesta Fe after abortion or miscarriage:

After a first-trimester abortion or miscarriage, you can start using the contraceptive immediately. An additional barrier method of birth control is not required if the drug is started within 5 days after termination of the pregnancy.

If the drug is not started within 5 days after termination of the pregnancy, you should use an additional barrier method of birth control for the first 7 days of your first cycle pack.

Do not start using birth control pills until 4 weeks after a second-trimester abortion or miscarriage since you have an increased risk of thromboembolic disease.

Starting Nexesta Fe after delivery

Do not start taking the tablets until 4 weeks after childbirth since you have an increased risk of thromboembolic disease. If you have not yet had a period postpartum, you need to exclude the possibility of conception occurring prior to use of the drug.

Overdose

Do not take an excessive dose of the drug. Overdosage may cause a headache, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, spotting/bleeding. If you have any disturbing/lasting/severe reactions after taking an excessive dose of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Side effects

Nexesta Fe is usually tolerated well. In some cases, it may cause the following side effects:

  • blood clots in your lungs;
  • heart attack;
  • a stroke;
  • high blood pressure;
  • gallbladder problems;
  • continuous leg pain;
  • a sudden, severe headache;
  • a sudden change in vision or blindness;
  • trouble speaking;
  • chest pain;
  • liver tumors;
  • jaundice;
  • changes in the sugar and fat levels;
  • new or worsening headaches;
  • vaginal infections;
  • bloating;
  • depression;
  • cancer in your breast and cervix;
  • a swollen face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat;
  • chloasma;
  • breast enlargement and swelling;
  • vaginal discharge;
  • nipple pain;
  • belly pain;
  • painful menstrual cycle;
  • mood changes, depression;
  • acne;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • breast tenderness, pain, discomfort;
  • weight gain;
  • sudden severe shortness of breath;
  • weakness or numbness in your arm or leg.

If you have any disturbing/lasting/severe adverse reactions after taking COCs, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Contraindications

Do not use Nexesta Fe for birth control if you have any of the following conditions/diseases:

  • cerebrovascular disease;
  • hypersensitivity to ethinyl estradiol or norethindrone;
  • age over 35 and smoking;
  • migraine headaches;
  • liver tumors, liver disease;
  • coronary artery disease;
  • thrombogenic diseases of the heart;
  • uncontrolled hypertension;
  • diabetes mellitus with vascular disease;
  • headaches with focal neurological symptoms;
  • pregnancy;
  • breast cancer or other estrogen- or progestin-sensitive cancer (including a history);
  • abnormal uterine bleeding;
  • use of hepatitis C drugs such as ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir.

Interactions

Do not mix Nexesta Fe with any of the following drugs:

  • griseofulvin;
  • ritonavir;
  • barbiturates;
  • carbamazepine;
  • exemestane;
  • paritaprevir
  • phenytoin;
  • ospemifene;
  • tizanidine;
  • topiramate
  • tranexamic acid;
  • ombitasvir;
  • primidone;
  • nelfinavir;
  • nevirapine;
  • dasabuvir;
  • rifabutin;
  • tamoxifen;
  • St. John’s wort;
  • anastrozole;
  • modafinil.

Before using this drug, tell your doctor about all medications that you are taking because you may need to use an additional method of preventing pregnancy.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is no reason to use Nexesta Fe during pregnancy. Do not use the drug in breastfeeding period because the active components can enter the breast milk and affect the baby.

What if I miss a pill?

If you miss 1 active tablet in Weeks 1, 2, or 3:

  • Take the missed tablet as soon as possible. Keep taking 1 tablet each day until the pack is empty.

If you miss 2 active tablets in Week 1 or Week 2:

  • Take the 2 missed tablets as soon as possible, take 2 active tablets the next day;
  • Keep taking 1 tablet per day until the pack is empty. You should use an additional non-hormonal birth control method if you have sex within 7 days after missing the tablets.

If you miss 2 active tablets in Week 3 or you miss 3 or more active tablets in a row in Weeks 1, 2, or 3:

  • Day 1 start: Discard the rest of the tablets and start a new pack immediately;
  • Sunday start: Keep taking 1 tablet each day until Sunday, then discard the remaining tablets and start a new pack immediately.

You should use an additional non-hormonal birth control method if you have sex within 7 days after missing the tablets.

If you miss any of the inactive tablets in Week 4:

  • Discard the missed tablets and keep taking 1 tablet each day until the pack is empty.

Precautions

If you have any of the conditions, diseases, or risk factors listed below, then the potential risk and the expected benefits of using Nexesta Fe should be discussed with your doctor. In any of these conditions, diseases, or risk factors occurs for the first time, consult your doctor immediately. You may need to stop using the drug.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system

Women taking COCs have an increased risk of venous and arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, stroke).

The risk of venous thromboembolism is especially high in the first year of using such drugs. The increased risk is also present after you resume hormonal contraception after a break lasting 4 weeks or more.

Venous and arterial thrombosis can be life-threatening or fatal in 1-2% of cases.

Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include unilateral swelling of the lower limb or swelling along the vein in the lower limb, pain or discomfort in the lower limb only in a vertical position or when walking, a local temperature increase in the affected lower limb, redness or discoloration of the skin of the lower limb.

Symptoms of pulmonary thromboembolism include difficulty breathing or rapid breathing; a sudden cough; acute pain in the chest; a sense of anxiety; severe dizziness; a rapid or irregular heartbeat.

Arterial thromboembolism can lead to stroke, vascular occlusion, or myocardial infarction. The symptoms of a stroke include sudden weakness or loss of sensitivity of the face, limbs, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, problems with speech and understanding; sudden one or two-sided vision loss; sudden gait disturbance, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination of movements; sudden, severe, or prolonged headache for no apparent reason; loss of consciousness or fainting with or without an epileptic seizure. Other signs of vascular occlusion include sudden pain, swelling and weak blueing of the extremities, the acute stomach symptom complex.

Symptoms of myocardial infarction include pain, discomfort, pressure, heaviness, feeling of compression or distension in the chest or behind the sternum; cold sweat, nausea, vomiting or dizziness, severe weakness, anxiety, shortness of breath; a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Arterial thromboembolism can be life-threatening or fatal.

Women with a combination of several risk factors have a higher degree of risk. In this case, the use of Nexesta Feis contraindicated. The risk of thrombosis and thromboembolism or cerebrovascular disorders increases:

  • with age;
  • obesity;
  • arterial hypertension;
  • atrial fibrillation;
  • valvular heart disease;
  • prolonged immobilization;
  • extensive surgery;
  • a family history of venous or arterial thromboembolism;
  • smokers (especially in women over 35 years of age);
  • dyslipoproteinemia;
  • migraine;
  • any operation on the lower limbs or extensive trauma.

The increased risk of developing thromboembolism in the postpartum period should be considered.

The increase in the frequency and severity of a migraine during the use of the COC is the reason for the immediate discontinuation of the drug.

Tumors

The most important risk factor for cervical cancer is persistent HPV infection. There are reports of some increase in the risk of cervical cancer with prolonged use of COCs. However, the relationship with the intake of COCs is not proven. There are contradictions regarding the extent to which these data are associated with screening for cervical pathology or with the characteristics of sexual behavior.

A meta-analysis of 54 epidemiological studies has shown that there is a slightly increased relative risk of developing breast cancer diagnosed in women who are currently taking COC. The increased risk gradually disappears within 10 years after the cancelation of these medications.

In very rare cases, use of COCs leads to the development of benign and malignant tumors of the liver, which in some cases led to life-threatening intra-abdominal bleeding. If you have severe abdominal pain, enlarged liver or signs of intra-abdominal bleeding, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Other conditions

Women with hypertriglyceridemia (or a predisposition to this condition) may have an increased risk of pancreatitis while taking COCs.

Despite the fact that a small increase in blood pressure has been reported by many women taking COCs, clinically significant increases are rare. However, if you have a persistent, clinically significant increase in blood pressure, you must cancel the drug and start treatment of hypertension. You may resume hormonal therapy if normal blood pressure values are achieved with the help of antihypertensive therapy.

The following conditions may develop or worsen both during pregnancy and when taking COCs but their relationship with Nexesta Fe has not been proven: jaundice, itching associated with cholestasis, gallstones, porphyria, systemic lupus erythematosus, hemolytic uremic syndrome, Chorea Sydenham, herpes during pregnancy, hearing loss associated with otosclerosis, depression, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis.

Women with hereditary forms of angioedema have an increased risk for angioedema.

Acute or chronic liver dysfunction may require discontinuation of COCs until liver function returns to normal. Relapse of cholestatic jaundice, which developed for the first time during a previous pregnancy or previous intake of sex hormones, requires the discontinuation of COCs.

Although COCs may affect insulin resistance and glucose tolerance, the need for dose adjustment of hypoglycemic drugs in diabetic patients using low-dose combined oral contraceptives is usually not needed. However, diabetic patients should be carefully monitored while taking COCs.

Women with a history of pregnant chloasma have an increased risk of chloasma development. Women with a tendency to chloasma who are taking Nexesta Fe should avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and ultraviolet radiation.

Preclinical safety data

Sex hormones can promote the growth of certain hormone-dependent tissues and tumors.

Laboratory tests

Taking ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone tablets may affect the results of some laboratory tests, including indicators of liver function, kidney, thyroid, adrenal glands, the concentration of transport proteins in the blood plasma, carbohydrate metabolism, clotting parameters and fibrinolysis. Changes usually do not go beyond the limits.

Reduced efficiency

The effectiveness of Nexesta Fe can be reduced in the following cases: when you miss active pills, have gastrointestinal disorders or take certain medications (see “Interactions”).

Frequency and severity of menstrual bleeding

While taking the drug, irregular bleeding can occur, especially during the first months of use. The assessment of any irregular bleeding should be carried out only after a period of adaptation of approximately 3 months.

If irregular bleeding recurs or develops after the previous regular cycles, a thorough examination should be performed to exclude malignant tumors or pregnancy.

Absence of menstrual bleeding

Some women may not have “withdrawal” bleeding during a period of taking inactive pills. If the contraceptive was taken as recommended, it is unlikely that the woman is pregnant. However, if the drug was used irregularly or you miss two “withdrawal” bleeding in a row, you need to exclude pregnancy as soon as possible.

Medical examinations

Before starting or resuming the use of COCs, you need to undergo a thorough medical and gynecological examination, including breast examination and cytological examination of the cervix.

Control examinations should be carried out once in 6 months.

Bear in mind that Nexesta Fe does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Conditions requiring urgent medical advice

  • any health changes, especially those listed in the section “Contraindications”;
  • local consolidation in the mammary gland;
  • when long-term immobilization is expected (at least 4 weeks before the intended operation);
  • unusually heavy vaginal bleeding;
  • you miss menstrual-like bleeding twice in a row or you suspect that you might be pregnancy (do not use the tablets before consulting a doctor).

Impact on driving vehicles and operating machines

Nexesta Fe does not affect the ability to drive vehicles and work with mechanisms.

Storage

  • Do not use the tablets after the expiration date;
  • Store the drug at room temperature between 68° to 77°F, away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture;
  • Keep the drug out of the reach of children and pets.

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