Do not use Estalis Sequi or other oestrogens, with or without a progestogen to prevent heart attacks, stroke or dementia.
A study called the Women's Health Initiative indicated increased risk of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, and blood clots in the legs or lungs in women receiving treatment with a product containing conjugated oestrogens 0.625 mg and the progestogen medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). The researchers stopped the study after 5 years when it was determined the risks were greater than the benefits in this group. The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study indicated increased risk of dementia in women aged 65-79 years taking conjugated oestrogens and MPA. There are no comparable data currently available for other doses of conjugated oestrogens and MPA or other combinations of oestrogens and progestogens. Therefore, you should assume the risks will be similar for other medicines containing oestrogen and progestogen combinations.
Talk regularly with your doctor about whether you still need treatment with Estalis Sequi.
Treatment with oestrogens, with or without progestogens should be used at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest period of time.
Estalis Sequi is a type of treatment called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It is a combination pack consisting of stick-on patches that contain hormones. Estalis Sequi Weeks 1 and 2 patches contain oestradiol. Estalis Sequi Weeks 3 and 4 patches contain oestradiol plus norethisterone acetate (NETA).
Estalis Sequi is used for the short-term relief of symptoms of the menopause. This medicine is used only for women who still have a uterus (womb).
HRT should not be used for the long-term maintenance of general health or to prevent heart disease or dementia.
Estalis Sequi is not suitable for birth control and it will not restore fertility.
Oestradiol is a natural female sex hormone called an oestrogen. It is the same hormone that your ovaries were producing before the menopause. NETA is a hormone called a progestogen. It has effects similar to the female hormone, progesterone, which your ovaries also produced before the menopause.
The menopause occurs naturally in the course of a woman's life, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. After menopause, your body produces much less oestrogen than it did before. This can cause unpleasant symptoms such as a feeling of warmth in the face, neck and chest, "hot flushes" (sudden, intense feelings of heat and sweating throughout the body), sleep problems, irritability and depression. Some women also have problems with dryness of the vagina causing discomfort during or after sex. Oestrogens can be given to reduce or eliminate these symptoms.
After the age of 40, and especially after the menopause, some women develop osteoporosis. This is a thinning of the bones that makes them weaker and more likely to break, especially the bones of the spine, hip and wrist. Exercise, calcium and vitamin D can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Women who still have a uterus need to take both oestrogen and progestogen as part of HRT. This is because oestrogen stimulates the growth of the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium). Before menopause this lining is removed during your period through the action of a natural progestogen. After menopause, taking oestrogen on its own as HRT may lead to irregular bleeding and to a disorder called endometrial hyperplasia. Progestogens such as NETA help to protect the lining of the uterus from developing this disorder.
Estalis Sequi patches release oestradiol and NETA in a continuous and controlled way just as your ovaries were doing before. Because the medicine does not have to pass through your stomach and liver, it allows you to take a much lower dose than would be needed in a tablet and helps to avoid some unpleasant side effects.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription. It is not habit-forming.
Do not use Estalis Sequi if you have an allergy to:
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
If you had a severe skin reaction in the past, you could have a very serious reaction if you use any type of oestrogen or progestogen (patch, tablet, cream, etc.) again in the future.
Do not use Estalis Sequi if you have:
If you are not sure whether any of the above conditions apply to you, your doctor can advise you.
Do not use Estalis Sequi if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
It may affect your baby.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
In that case, return it to your pharmacist.
Tell your doctor if you have:
Tell your doctor if you are likely to have an increased risk of developing blood clots in your blood vessels. The risk increases as you get older and it may also be increased if:
Tell your doctor if you are taking birth control pills.
Estalis Sequi is not a contraceptive. Since pregnancy may be possible early in the menopause while you are still having menstrual periods, you should ask your doctor to suggest another (non-hormonal) method of birth control.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Estalis Sequi may interfere with each other. These include:
You may need to take different amounts of your medicines or to take different medicines while you are using Estalis Sequi. Your doctor and pharmacist have more information.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell him/her before you start using this medicine.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.
These instructions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
If you are not already using HRT, you can start Estalis Sequi at a convenient time for you. If you are already using a different type of HRT, your doctor can advise you when to switch to Estalis Sequi.
The patches come in two strengths. You will usually start with the Estalis Sequi 50/250 patch. Your doctor will check your progress and may change to the lower strength Estalis Sequi 50/140 patch.
A leaflet in the carton contains pictures and information on how to apply the patch properly.
You will have a patch on all the time. You will apply a new patch twice weekly (every 3 or 4 days). There are 8 patches in the carton, enough for a 4-week cycle.
The patches for Weeks 1 and 2 contain oestradiol and the patches for Weeks 3 and 4 contain oestradiol plus NETA. It is important to use the patches in the correct order (i.e. Weeks 1 & 2 before Weeks 3 & 4).
Most women will have a period at the end of each 4-week cycle. This is quite normal. Regardless of whether or not you have a period, you should start the next pack of Estalis Sequi as soon as you have finished the previous one. If you have irregular or heavy bleeding, tell your doctor.
If you want to continue using HRT for longer than a few months, discuss the possible risks and benefits with your doctor.
You may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, blood clots on the lungs and dementia. On the other hand, the risk of hip fractures and bowel cancer may be reduced. Your doctor can discuss these risks and benefits with you, taking into account your particular circumstances.
Apply a new patch as soon as you remember, and then go back to your usual schedule.
If you have trouble remembering when to replace your patches, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that an overdose has happened. Keep the telephone numbers for these places handy.
Because of the way this medicine is used, an intentional overdose is unlikely. Swallowing a patch may cause nausea and vomiting.
If you become pregnant while using Estalis Sequi, tell your doctor immediately.
It should not be used while you are pregnant.
See your doctor at least once a year for a check-up. Some women will need to go more often. Your doctor will:
Check your breasts each month and report any changes promptly to your doctor.
Your doctor or nurse can show you how to check your breasts properly.
Tell your doctor that you are using Estalis Sequi well in advance of any expected hospitalisation or surgery. If you go to hospital unexpectedly, tell the doctor who admits you that you are using it.
The risk of developing blood clots in your blood vessels may be temporarily increased as a result of an operation, serious injury or having to stay in bed for a prolonged period. If possible, this medicine should be stopped at least 4 weeks before surgery and it should not be restarted until you are fully mobile.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are using Estalis Sequi.
Tell any other doctor, dentist or pharmacist who treats you that you are using Estalis Sequi.
Do not use this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give it to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Estalis Sequi.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by these lists of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Some people may have other side effects not yet known or mentioned in this leaflet. Some side effects can only be found when laboratory tests are done.
Keep the patches where young children cannot reach them.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Fold used patches in half with the sticky side inwards. Dispose of them where children cannot reach them.
Used patches still contain some oestradiol and NETA which could harm a child.
If your doctor tells you to stop using this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any patches that are left over.
Estalis Sequi patches come in two strengths: 50/140 and 50/250. They are clear patches sealed in individual pouches. Each carton contains eight patches (four patches for Weeks 1 and 2 and four patches for Weeks 3 and 4).
The patch is made up of three layers:
Estalis Sequi Weeks 1 and 2 patches release approximately 50 micrograms of oestradiol in 24 hours. The following inactive ingredients are also used to make the patch:
Estalis Sequi Weeks 3 and 4 patches release approximately 50 micrograms of oestradiol and 140 or 250 micrograms of NETA in 24 hours.
The following inactive ingredients are also used to make the patch: