CYCLOGEST Off-white pessaries Ref.[7851] Active ingredients: Progesterone

Cyclogest is not indicated in threatened miscarriage. Treatment should be discontinued in the event of a missed miscarriage.

Cyclogest should be discontinued if any of the following conditions are suspected:

myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disorders, arterial or venous thromboembolism (venous thromboembolism or pulmonary embolism), thrombophlebitis or retinal thrombosis.

Although risk of thromboembolism has been associated with estrogens, a link with progestins remains questionable. Therefore, in women with generally recognised risk factors for thromboembolic events, such as personal or family history, treatment with Cyclogest may further increase the risk. In these women, the benefits of Cyclogest administration need to be weighed against the risks. It should be noted however, that pregnancy itself carries an increased risk of thrombo-embolic events.

Patients with a history of depression need to be closely observed. Consider discontinuation if symptoms worsen.

Because progesterone may cause some degree of fluid retention, conditions that might be influenced by this factor (e.g. epilepsy, migraine, asthma, cardiac or renal dysfunction) require careful observation.

A decrease in glucose tolerance has been observed in a small number of patients on estrogen- progestin combination drugs. The mechanism of this decrease is not known. For this reason, diabetic patients should be carefully observed while receiving progestin therapy.

Progesterone is metabolised in the liver and should be used with caution in patients with hepatic dysfunction.

Cyclogest contains the hormone progesterone which is present in significant concentrations in women during the second half of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. This should be borne in mind when treating patients with conditions that may be hormone-sensitive.

Abrupt discontinuation of progesterone dosing may cause increased anxiety, moodiness, and increased sensibility to seizures.

Use rectally if barrier methods of contraception are used.

Use rectally if patients suffer from vaginal infection (especially moniliasis) or recurrent cystitis or have recently given birth.

Use vaginally if patients suffer from colitis or faecal incontinence.

Drugs known to induce the hepatic cytochrome-P450-3A4 system (e.g. rifampicin, carbamazepine or phenytoin) may increase the elimination rate and thereby decrease the bioavailability of progesterone.

The effect of concomitant vaginal products on the exposure of progesterone from Cyclogest has not been assessed and is therefore not recommended.

Pregnancy

Cyclogest should not be used during pregnancy. There is limited and inconclusive data on the risk of congenital anomalies, including genital abnormalities in male or female infants, following intrauterine exposure during pregnancy. The rates of congenital anomalies, spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancies observed during the clinical trial were comparable with the event rate described in the general population although the total exposure is too low to allow conclusions to be drawn.

Lactation

Progesterone is excreted in human milk and Cyclogest should not be used during breast-feeding.

None known.

Very common (≥ 1/10), Common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), Rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000), Very rare (< 1/10,000), Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

Nervous system disorder

Common: Somnolence

Gastrointestinal disorders

Common: Abdominal pain, Abdominal discomfort

Not known: Diarrhoea and flatulence may occur with rectal administration.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Uncommon: Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. rash, pruritus)

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Common: Breast pain

Not known: Menstruation may occur earlier than expected, or, more rarely, menstruation may be delayed.

General disorders and administration site conditions

Not known: Soreness, some leakage of the pessary base

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme; website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

None known.