This medication is a combination of 3 ingredients:
relugolix, estradiol, and norethindrone. It is used by women who have not
gone through menopause to help manage heavy menstrual bleeding due to
uterine fibroids or pain due to endometriosis. Relugolix works by
decreasing your body's production of certain hormones (luteinizing hormone,
follicle-stimulating hormone), which leads to lower amounts of female sex
hormones (estrogens). Estradiol is used to decrease bone loss caused by
relugolix, while norethindrone is used to help lessen the risk of cancer of
the uterus due to estradiol.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you
get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
To make sure you are not pregnant, your doctor may do a
pregnancy test before you start taking this medication, or tell you to
start taking it within 7 days after the start of your menstrual period.
Start taking this medication only when directed by your
doctor.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Use this medication regularly
to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same
time each day. To lessen the risk of bone loss (osteoporosis), your doctor
may tell you to stop taking this medication after 24 months. Talk with your
doctor for details.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better
or if it gets worse.
Hot flashes, increased sweating, night sweats, or
menstrual period changes may occur. If any of these effects last or get
worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Hair thinning and hair loss may occur. It is unknown if
normal hair growth will return after treatment has ended.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check
your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are
high.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- lumps in the breast
- mental/mood changes (such as new or worsening depression,
anxiety, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide)
- signs of liver damage (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't
stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark
urine)
- unusual changes in vaginal bleeding (such as continuous
spotting, sudden heavy bleeding)
- symptoms of high blood sugar (such as increased
thirst/urination)
The relugolix in this medication lowers estrogen levels
in your body. Low estrogen levels can lead to bone loss (osteoporosis). The
risk is increased with higher doses or with longer use of this medication.
Some bone loss may be permanent. Talk with your doctor about the risks and
benefits of taking this medication, and ask about taking calcium
supplements and vitamin D for bone health.
This medication may rarely cause serious (sometimes
fatal) problems from blood clots (such as heart attack, stroke, blood clots
in the lungs or legs). Get medical help right away if you
have:
- shortness of breath/rapid breathing
- chest/jaw/left arm pain
- unusual sweating
- confusion
- sudden dizziness/fainting
- pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf
- sudden/severe headaches
- trouble speaking
- weakness on one side of the body
- sudden vision changes
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking this product, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to relugolix, estradiol, or norethindrone;
or to any estrogens (such as mestranol) or any progestins (such as
desogestrel) or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain
inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- blood clots (for example, in the legs, eyes, lungs)
- blood clotting disorders (such as protein C or protein S
deficiency)
- high blood pressure
- abnormal breast exam
- bone loss (osteoporosis)
- cancer (especially endometrial or breast cancer)
- high cholesterol or triglyceride (blood fat) levels
- diabetes
- family or personal history of a certain swelling disorder
(angioedema)
- gallbladder problems
- severe headaches/migraines
- heart problems (such as heart valve disease, irregular
heartbeat, previous heart attack)
- history of yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or
while using hormonal birth control (such as pills, patch)
- kidney disease
- liver disease (including tumors)
- mental/mood disorders (such as depression)
- obesity
- stroke
- swelling (edema)
- thyroid problems
- unexplained vaginal bleeding
This medication may cause blotchy, dark areas on your
skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Avoid prolonged sun
exposure, sunlamps, and tanning booths. Use a sunscreen, and wear
protective clothing when outdoors.
Tell your doctor if you just had or will be having
surgery or if you will be confined to a bed or chair for a long time (such
as a long plane flight). These conditions increase your risk of getting
blood clots, especially if you are using hormone replacement. You may need
to stop this medication for a time (such as 4 to 6 weeks before surgery) or
take special precautions. If your doctor tells you to stop this medication
before surgery, ask for specific directions about when to restart this
medication.
This product must not be used during pregnancy. It may
harm an unborn baby. Ask about reliable forms of non-hormonal birth control
(such as condoms, spermicide) while using this medication and for 1 week
after stopping treatment. Because this medication affects menstruation, it
may be harder to tell if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant or think
you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
It is unknown if relugolix passes into breast milk. A
small amount of estradiol and norethindrone passes into breast milk and may
have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
are:
- aromatase inhibitors (such as anastrozole, exemestane,
letrozole)
- fezolinetant
- ospemifene
- tamoxifen
- tranexamic acid
- certain combination products used to treat chronic hepatitis
C (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir with or without dasabuvir)
Other medications can affect the removal of this
medication from your body, which may affect how it works. Examples include
erythromycin, rifampin, St. John's wort, some drugs used to treat seizures
(such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests
(such as blood tests for clotting factors, thyroid), possibly causing false
test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use
this medication.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as liver function,
cholesterol, pregnancy test, blood pressure, bone density tests) may be
done before you start taking this medication and while you are taking it.
Keep all medical and lab appointments.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
you don't remember until the next day, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.