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Innofem (Estradiol) - Indications and Dosage

 
 



INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Innofem™ (Estradiol Tablets, USP) is indicated in the:

  1. Treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with the menopause. There is no adequate evidence that estrogens are effective for nervous symptoms or depression which might occur during menopause and they should not be used to treat these conditions.
  2. Treatment of vulval and vaginal atrophy.
  3. Treatment of hypoestrogenism due to hypogonadism, castration or primary ovarian failure.
  4. Treatment of breast cancer (for palliation only) in appropriately selected women and men with metastatic disease.
  5. Treatment of advanced androgen-dependent carcinoma of the prostate (for palliation only).
  6. Prevention of osteoporosis.

Since estrogen administration is associated with risk, selection of patients should ideally be based on prospective identification of risk factors for developing osteoporosis. Unfortunately, there is no certain way to identify those women who will develop osteoporotic fractures. Most prospective studies of efficacy for this indication have been carried out in white menopausal women, without stratification by other risk factors, and tend to show a universally salutary effect on bone. Thus, patient selection must be individualized based on the balance of risks and benefits. A more favorable risk/benefit ratio exists in a hysterectomized woman because she has no risk of endometrial cancer (see BOXED WARNINGS).

Estrogen replacement therapy reduces bone resorption and retards or halts post menopausal bone loss. Case-control studies have shown an approximately 60 percent reduction in hip and wrist fractures in women whose estrogen replacement was begun within a few years of menopause. Studies also suggest that estrogen reduces the rate of vertebral fractures. Even when started as late as 6 years after menopause, estrogen prevents further loss of bone mass for as long as the treatment is continued. The results of a two-year, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-ranging study have shown that treatment with 0.5 mg estradiol daily for 23 days (of a 28 day cycle) prevents vertebral bone mass loss in postmenopausal women. When estrogen therapy is discontinued, bone mass declines at a rate comparable to the immediate postmenopausal period. There is no evidence that estrogen replacement therapy restores bone mass to premenopausal levels.

At skeletal maturity there are sex and race differences in both the total amount of bone present and its density, in favor of men and blacks. Thus, women are at higher risk than men because they start with less bone mass and, for several years following natural or induced menopause, the rate of bone mass decline is accelerated. White and Asian women are at higher risk than black women.

Early menopause is one of the strongest predictors for the development of osteoporosis. In addition, other factors affecting the skeleton which are associated with osteoporosis include genetic factors (small build, family history), and endocrine factors (nulliparity, thyrotoxicosis, hyperparathyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, Type 1 diabetes), lifestyle (cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, sedentary exercise habits) and nutrition (below average body weight, dietary calcium intake).

The mainstays of prevention and management of osteoporosis are estrogen, an adequate lifetime calcium intake, and exercise. Postmenopausal women absorb dietary calcium less efficiently than premenopausal women and require an average of 1500 mg/day of elemental calcium to remain in neutral calcium balance. By comparison, premenopausal women require about 1000 mg/day and the average of calcium intake in the USA is 400-600 mg/day, therefore, when not contraindicated, calcium supplementation may be helpful.

Weight-bearing exercise and nutrition may be important adjuncts to the prevention and management of osteoporosis. Immobilization and prolonged bed rest produce rapid bone loss, while weight-bearing exercise has been shown both to reduce bone loss and to increase bone mass. The optimal type and amount of physical activity that would prevent osteoporosis have not been established, however in two studies an hour of walking and running exercise twice or three times weekly significantly increased lumbar spine bone mass.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

1. For Treatment of Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms, Vulval and Vaginal Atrophy Associated with the Menopause, the Lowest Dose and Regimen that Will Control Symptoms Should be Chosen and Medication Should be Discontinued as Promptly as Possible.

Attempts to discontinue or taper medication should be made at 3-month to 6-month intervals.

The usual initial dosage range is 1 or 2 mg daily of estradiol adjusted as necessary to control presenting symptoms. The minimal effective dose for maintenance therapy should be determined by titration. Administration should be cyclic (e.g., 3 weeks on and 1 week off).

2. For Treatment of Female Hypoestrogenism Due to Hypogonadism, Castration, or Primary Ovarian Failure.

Treatment is usually initiated with a dose of 1 or 2 mg daily of estradiol, adjusted as necessary to control presenting symptoms; the minimal effective dose for maintenance therapy should be determined by titration.

3. For Treatment of Breast Cancer, for Palliation Only, in Appropriately Selected Women and Men With Metastatic Disease.

Suggested dosage is 10 mg three times daily for a period of at least three months.

4. For Treatment of Advanced Androgen-Dependant Carcinoma of the Prostrate, for Palliation Only.

Suggested dosage is 1 to 2 mg three times daily. The effectiveness of therapy can be judged by phosphatase determinations as well as by symptomatic improvement of the patient.

5. For Prevention of Osteoporosis.

Therapy with Innofem™ (Estradiol Tablets, USP) to prevent postmenopausal bone loss should be initiated as soon as possible after menopause. A daily dosage of 0.5 mg should be administered cyclically (e.g., 23 days on and 5 days off). The dosage may be adjusted if necessary to control concurrent menopausal symptoms. Discontinuation of estrogen replacement therapy may re-establish the natural rate of bone loss.

HOW SUPPLIED

Innofem™ (Estradiol Tablets, USP) 0.5 mg; yellow round tablets debossed with “Novo 293” and a dividing score.

NDC 0169-1842-81 Bottles of 100

NDC 0169-1842-82 Bottles of 500

Innofem™ (Estradiol Tablets, USP) 1 mg ; red round tablets debossed with “Novo 282” and a dividing score.

NDC 0169-1843-81 Bottles of 100

NDC 0169-1843-82 Bottles of 500

Innofem™ (Estradiol Tablets, USP) 2 mg ; blue round tablets debossed with “Novo 280” and a dividing score.

NDC 0169-1844-81 Bottles of 100

NDC 0169-1844-82 Bottles of 500

Store at controlled room temperature 15°-30°C

(59°-86°F).

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