Tibolone 2.5 mg tablets

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

1. What Tibolone is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Tibolone
3. How to take Tibolone
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Tibolone
6. Contents of the pack and other information

During the menopause, the amount of the oestrogen produced by a woman’s body drops. This can cause symptoms such as hot face, neck and chest ("hot flushes"). Tibolone alleviates these symptoms after menopause. You will only be prescribed Tibolone if your symptoms seriously hinder your daily life.

After the menopause some women may develop fragile bones (osteoporosis). You should discuss all available options with your doctor.

If you are at an increased risk of fractures due to osteoporosis and other medicines are not suitable for you, you can use Tibolone to prevent osteoporosis after menopause.

There are three different kinds of HRT:

• Oestrogen-only HRT
• Combined HRT, containing two kinds of female hormone, an oestrogen and a progestogen.
• Tibolone, which contains a substance called tibolone

Tibolone is different from other HRT. Instead of actual hormones (such as oestrogen and progestogen) it contains tibolone. Your body breaks down tibolone to make hormones.

Its effects and benefits are similar to combined HRT.

The use of HRT carries risks which need to be considered when deciding whether to start taking it, or whether to carry on taking it.

The experience in treating women with a premature menopause (due to ovarian failure or surgery) is limited. If you have a premature menopause the risks of using HRT may be different. Please talk to your doctor.

Before you start (or restart) HRT, your doctor will ask about your own and your family’s medical history. Your doctor may decide to perform a physical examination. This may include an examination of your breasts and/or an internal examination, if necessary.

Tell your doctor if you have any medical problems or illnesses.

Once you have started on Tibolone you should see your doctor for regular check-ups (at least once a year). At these check-ups, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of continuing with Tibolone.

Go for regular breast screening, as recommended by your doctor.

Be sure to:

• go for regular breast screening and cervical smear tests
• regularly check your breasts for any changes such as dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple, or any lumps you can see or feel.

Do not take Tibolone:

• If you are allergic to tibolone or any of the other ingredients of Tibolone (listed in section 6);
• If you have or have ever had breast cancer, or if you are suspected of having it;
• If you have cancer which is sensitive to oestrogens, such as cancer of the womb lining (endometrium), or if you are suspected of having it;
• If you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding;
• If you have excessive thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia ) that is not being treated;
• If you have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein (thrombosis), such as in the legs (deep venous thrombosis) or the lungs (pulmonary embolism);
• If you have a blood clotting disorder (such as protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency);
• If you have or recently have had a disease caused by blood clots in the arteries, such as a heart attack, stroke or angina;
• If you have or have ever had a liver disease and your liver function tests have not returned to normal;
• If you have a rare blood problem called “porphyria” which is passed down in families (inherited);
• If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
• If you are breastfeeding.

If you are not sure about any of the points above, talk to your doctor before taking Tibolone.

If any of the above conditions appears for the first time while taking Tibolone, stop taking it at once and consult your doctor immediately.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse before taking tibolone.

As well as benefits, HRT has some risks which you need to consider when you are deciding whether to take it, or whether to carry on taking it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any of the following problems, before you start the treatment, as these may return or become worse during treatment with Tibolone. If so, you should see your doctor more often for check-ups:

• fibroids inside your womb;
• growth of womb lining outside your womb (endometriosis) or a history of excessive growth of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia);
• increased risk of developing blood clots (see “Blood clots in a vein (thrombosis)”);
• increased risk of getting a oestrogen-sensitive cancer (such as having a mother, sister or grandmother who has had breast cancer);
• high blood pressure;
• a liver disorder, such as a benign liver tumour;
• diabetes;
• gallstones;
• migraine or severe headaches;
• a disease of the immune system that affects many organs of the body (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE);
• epilepsy;
• asthma;
• a disease affecting the eardrum and hearing (otosclerosis);
• a very high level of fat in your blood (triglycerides), as it may lead to inflammation of pancreas
• fluid retention due to cardiac or kidney problems;

If you notice any of the following when taking HRT:

• any of the conditions mentioned in the ‘DO NOT take Tibolone’ section;
• yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice). These may be signs of a liver disease;
• a large rise in your blood pressure (symptoms may be headache, tiredness, dizziness);
• migraine-like headaches which happen for the first time;
• if you become pregnant;
• if you notice signs of a blood clot, such as:
  • painful swelling and redness of the legs;
  • sudden chest pain;
  • difficulty in breathing;

For more information, see ‘Blood clots in a vein (thrombosis)’.

Note: Tibolone is not a contraceptive. If it is less than 12 months since your last menstrual period or you are under 50 years old, you may still need to use additional contraception to prevent pregnancy. Speak to your doctor for advice.

Excessive thickening of the lining of the womb (endometrial hyperplasia) and cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrial cancer)

There have been reports of an increased cell growth or cancer of the lining of the womb in women using tibolone. The risk of cancer of the lining of the womb increases the longer you take the medicine.

Irregular bleeding

You may have irregular bleeding or drops of blood (spotting) during the first 3-6 months of taking Tibolone. However, if the irregular bleeding:

• carries on for more than the first 6 months;
• starts after you have been taking Tibolone for more than 6 months;
• carries on after you have stopped taking Tibolone;

• see your doctor as soon as possible.

Breast cancer

Evidence shows that taking tibolone increases the risk of breast cancer. The extra risk depends on how long you use tibolone. In studies with HRT, after stopping HRT the extra risk decreased with time, but the risk may persist for 10 years or more when women have used HRT for more than 5 years. No data for persistence of risk after stopping are available for tibolone, but a similar pattern cannot be ruled out

Compare

Looking at women aged 50 to 79 who are not taking HRT, on average, 9 to 17 in 1000 will be diagnosed with breast cancer over a 5-year period. For women aged 50 to 79 who are taking oestrogen-progestogen HRT over 5 years, there will be 13 to 23 cases in 1000 users (i.e. an extra 4 to 6 cases).

Women taking tibolone have a lower risk than women using combined oestrogen-progestogen HRT and a comparable risk with oestrogen-only HRT.

Regularly check your breasts. See your doctor if you notice any changes such as:

• dimpling of the skin;
• changes in the nipple;
• any lumps you can see or feel

Additionally, you are advised to join mammography screening programs when offered to you. For mammogram screening, it is important that you inform the nurse/healthcare professional who is actually taking the x-ray that you use HRT, as this medication may increase the density of your breasts which may affect the outcome of the mammogram. Where the density of the breast is increased, mammography may not detect all lumps.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is rare - much rarer than breast cancer. The use of oestrogen-only or combined oestrogen-progestagen HRT has been associated with a slightly increased risk of ovarian cancer.

The risk of ovarian cancer varies with age. For example, in women aged 50 to 54 who are not taking HRT, about 2 women in 2000 will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer over a 5-year period. For women who have been taking HRT for 5 years, there will be about 3 cases per 2000 users (i.e. about 1 extra case).

With use of Tibolone, the increased risk of ovarian cancer is similar to other types of HRT.

Blood clots in a vein (thrombosis)

The risk of blood clots in the veins is about 1.3 to 3 - times higher in HRT users than in non-users, especially during the first year of taking it.

Blood clots can be serious, and if one travels to the lungs, it can cause chest pain, breathlessness, fainting or even death.

You are more likely to get a blood clot in your veins as you get older and if any of the following applies to you. Inform your doctor if any of these situations applies to you:

• you are pregnant or recently had a baby
• you use oestrogens
• you are unable to walk for a long time because of major surgery, injury or illness (see also section 3, if you need to have surgery);
• you are seriously overweight (BMI >30 kg/m²);
• you have any blood clotting problem that needs long-term treatment with a medicine used to prevent blood clots;
• if any of your close relatives has ever had a blood clot in the leg, lung or another organ;
• you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
• you have cancer;

For signs of a blood clot, see “Stop taking Tibolone and see a doctor immediately”.

Compare

Looking at women in their 50s who are not taking HRT, on average, over a 5-year period, 4 to 7 in 1000 would be expected to get a blood clot in a vein.

For women in their 50s who have been taking oestrogen-progestogen HRT for over 5 years, there will be 9 to 12 cases in 1000 users (i.e.an extra 5 cases).

With use of tibolone, the increased risk of getting a blood clot in a vein is lower than with other types of HRT.

Heart disease (heart attack)

There is no evidence that HRT or tibolone will prevent a heart attack.

Women over the age of 60 years who use oestrogen-progestogen HRT are slightly more likely to develop heart disease than those not taking any HRT. As the risk of heart disease strongly depends on age, the number of extra cases of heart disease due to use of oestrogen-progestogen HRT is very low in healthy women close to menopause but will rise with more advanced age.

There is no evidence to suggest that the risk of myocardial infarction with tibolone is different to the risk of other HRT.

Stroke

The risk of getting stroke is about 1.5 times higher in HRT and tibolone users than in non-users. The number of extra cases of stroke due to use of HRT will increase with age.

Other things that can increase the risk of stroke include:

• Getting older
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Drinking too much alcohol
• An irregular heartbeat

If you are worried about any of these things, talk to your doctor to see if you should take HRT.

Compare

Looking at women in their 50s who are not taking HRT, on average, 3 in 1000 would be expected to have a stroke over a 5-year period. For women in their 50s who are taking HRT, there will be 7 cases in 1000 users, over 5 years (i.e. an extra 4 cases).

Looking at women in their 60s who are not taking tibolone – on average, over a 5-year period, 11 in 1000 would be expected to have a stroke. For women in their 60s who are taking tibolone, the figure would be 24 in 1000 (i.e. an extra 13 cases).

Other conditions

HRT will not prevent memory loss. There is some evidence of a higher risk of memory loss in women who start using HRT after the age of 65. Speak to your doctor for advice.

Tibolone is not intended for contraceptive use.

Some medicines may interfere with the effect of Tibolone. This might lead to irregular bleeding. This applies to the following medicines:

• Medicines for epilepsy (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine);
• Medicines for tuberculosis (such as rifampicin, rifabutin);
• Medicines for HIV infection (such as nevirapine, efavirenz, ritonavir and nelfinavir);
• Medicines against blood clotting (such as warfarin);
• Herbal remedies containing St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

HRT can affect the way some other medicines work:

• A medicine for epilepsy (lamotrigine), as this could increase frequency of seizures

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines including medicines obtained without a prescription, herbal medicines or other natural products. Your doctor will advise you.

If you need a blood test, tell your doctor or the laboratory staff that you are taking Tibolone, because this medicine can affect the results of some tests.

If you are going to have an operation, make sure your doctor knows about it. You may need to stop taking HRT about 4 to 6 weeks before the operation, to reduce the risk of a blood clot. Your doctor will tell you when you can start taking HRT again.

You can eat or drink normally while you are taking Tibolone.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Tibolone is for use in postmenopausal women only. If you become pregnant, stop taking Tibolone and contact your doctor.

Tibolone is not known to have any effects on alertness and concentration.

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

There are several different types of HRT, such as tablets, patches and gels. Most contain either oestrogen or an oestrogen and a progestogen. With some you have a period, and with some you do not (period-free HRT).

If you are changing over from another type of HRT where you have a period, start taking Tibolone as soon as your period ends.

If you are changing over from a period-free HRT you can start taking tibolone straight away. You can also start straight away if you are being treated for endometriosis.

Tibolone should not be taken by children.

It is unlikely that taking more than one tablet will do you any harm, but you may feel sick, be sick or have some vaginal bleeding.

If you forget to take a tablet, take it as soon as you remember, unless you are more than 12 hours late. If you are more than 12 hours late, just skip the missed tablet and take your next tablet at the usual time.

Do not take a double dose.

If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon that you are taking Tibolone. You may need to stop taking Tibolone about 4 to 6 weeks before the operation to reduce the risk of a blood clot (see section 2, Blood clots in a vein). Ask your doctor when you can start taking Tibolone again.

Do not stop taking tibolone because you feel better without first talking to your doctor. It is important to take the medicine for as long as the doctor has told you to. Otherwise the problem might come back.

If you think you may have signs of a serious side effect, see a doctor straight away.

You may need to stop taking Tibolone:

• If your blood pressure rises
• If your skin or the whites of your eyes go yellow (jaundice)
• If you suddenly have migraine-type headaches (see section 2 above)
• If you have signs of a blood clot (see section 2 above)
• If you get any of the problems listed in section 2 (Do not take Tibolone)

Common (affect up to 1 in 10 women):

• breast pain
• stomach or pelvic pain
• unusual hair growth
• vaginal bleeding or spotting.

This is usually nothing to worry about in the first few months of taking HRT. If bleeding continues, or starts after you have been on HRT for a while, see Section 2 “Irregular Bleeding”.

• vaginal problems such as more secretions, itching, irritation
• inflammation of the vulva and vagina (vulvovaginitis)
• thrush (i. e. Candidiasis)
• thickening of the lining of the womb or the lining of the cervix
• Tissue changes in the cervix
• Abnormal cervical smear
• weight gain.

Uncommon (affects up to 1 in 100 women):

• swollen hands, ankles or feet – a sign of fluid retention
• stomach upset
• acne
• painful nipples or breasts feeling uncomfortable
• vaginal infections (mycosis)
• fungal infection

Rare (affects up to 1 in 1000 women):

• itchy skin

Some women taking Tibolone have also reported:

• depression, dizziness, headache
• joint pain or muscle pain
• skin problems such as rash or itching
• loss of vision or blurred vision
• changes in liver tests

There have been reports of breast cancer and of an increased cell growth or cancer of the lining of the womb in women using Tibolone.

• Tell your doctor if any of the above mentioned side effects continues or becomes troublesome.

The following side effects have been reported with other HRTs:

• gall bladder disease
• various skin disorders:
  • discolouration of the skin especially of the face or neck known as “pregnancy patches” (chloasma)
  • painful reddish skin nodules (erythema nodosum)
  • rash with target-shaped reddening or sores (erythema multiforme).

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple app Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

• The active substance is tibolone.
• the other ingredients are: lactose monohydrate, mannitol, potato starch, ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium stearate.

Tibolone are white to off-white round tablets of 6 mm diameter with belleved edge without any marking. They come in packs of 1, 3 and 6 blisters of 28 or 30 tablets.

Not all pack size may be marketed.

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