21 orange active tablets each containing 0.10 mg of levonorgestrel, d(-)-13β-ethyl-17α-ethinyl-17β-hydroxygon-4-en-3-one, a totally synthetic progestogen, and 0.02 mg of ethinyl estradiol, 17α-ethinyl-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,17β-diol. The inactive ingredients present are: FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate and titanium dioxide.
7 Light-green, inert tablets each contain: D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and pregelatinized starch.
Levonorgestrel Ethinyl Estradiol Molecular Weight: 312.45 C21H28O2 Molecular Weight: 296.40 C20H24O2
Aviane 28 - Clinical Pharmacology
Mode of Action
Combination oral contraceptives act by suppression of gonadotropins. Although the primary mechanism of this action is inhibition of ovulation, other alterations include changes in the cervical mucus (which increase the difficulty of sperm entry into the uterus) and the endometrium (which reduce the likelihood of implantation).
Pharmacokinetics
AbsorptionNo specific investigation of the absolute bioavailability of Aviane® (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP) in humans has been conducted. However, literature indicates that levonorgestrel is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration (bioavailability about 100%) and is not subject to first-pass metabolism. Ethinyl estradiol is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but, due to first-pass metabolism in gut mucosa and liver, the bioavailability of ethinyl estradiol is between 38% and 48%.
After a single dose of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol 0.10 mg/0.02 mg tablets to 22 women under fasting conditions, maximum serum concentrations of levonorgestrel are 2.8 ± 0.9 ng/mL (mean ± SD) at 1.6 ± 0.9 hours. At steady-state, attained from day 19 onwards, maximum levonorgestrel concentrations of 6 ± 2.7 ng/mL are reached at 1.5 ± 0.5 hours after the daily dose. The minimum serum levels of levonorgestrel at steady-state are 1.9 ± 1 ng/mL. Observed levonorgestrel concentrations increased from day 1 (single dose) to days 6 and 21 (multiple doses) by 34% and 96%, respectively (Figure 1). Unbound levonorgestrel concentrations increased from day 1 to days 6 and 21 by 25% and 83%, respectively. The kinetics of total levonorgestrel are nonlinear due to an increase in binding of levonorgestrel to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which is attributed to increased SHBG levels that are induced by the daily administration of ethinyl estradiol.
Following a single dose, maximum serum concentrations of ethinyl estradiol of 62 ± 21 pg/mL are reached at 1.5 ± 0.5 hours. At steady-state, attained from at least day 6 onwards, maximum concentrations of ethinyl estradiol were 77 ± 30 pg/mL and were reached at 1.3 ± 0.7 hours after the daily dose. The minimum serum levels of ethinyl estradiol at steady-state are 10.5 ± 5.1 pg/mL. Ethinyl estradiol concentrations did not increase from days 1 to 6, but did increase by 19% from days 1 to 21 (Figure I).
Figure I: Mean (SE) Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Serum Concentrations in 22 Subjects Receiving 100 μg Levonorgestrel and 20 μg Ethinyl Estradiol
Table I provides a summary of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol pharmacokinetic parameters.
Table I: Mean (SD) Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol, 0.10 mg/0.02 mg Tablets over a 21-Day Dosing Period
| Levonorgestrel |
|
Cmax |
Tmax |
AUC |
CL/F |
Vλz/F |
SHBG |
| Day |
ng/mL |
h |
ng•h/mL |
mL/h/kg |
L/kg |
nmol/L |
| 1 |
2.75 (0.88) |
1.6 (0.9) |
35.2 (12.8) |
53.7 (20.8) |
2.66 (1.09) |
57 (18) |
| 6 |
4.52 (1.79) |
1.5 (0.7) |
46 (18.8) |
40.8 (14.5) |
2.05 (0.86) |
81 (25) |
| 21 |
6 (2.65) |
1.5 (0.5) |
68.3 (32.5) |
28.4 (10.3) |
1.43 (0.62) |
93 (40) |
| Unbound Levonorgestrel |
|
pg/mL |
h |
pg•h/mL |
L/h/kg |
L/kg |
fu% |
| 1 |
51.2 (12.9) |
1.6 (0.9) |
654 (201) |
2.79 (0.97) |
135.9 (41.8) |
1.92 (0.30) |
| 6 |
77.9 (22) |
1.5 (0.7) |
794 (240) |
2.24 (0.59) |
112.4 (40.5) |
1.80 (0.24) |
| 21 |
103.6 (36.9) |
1.5 (0.5) |
1177 (452) |
1.57 (0.49) |
78.6 (29.7) |
1.78 (0.19) |
| Ethinyl Estradiol |
|
pg/mL |
h |
pg•h/mL |
mL/h/kg |
L/kg |
|
| 1 |
62 (20.5) |
1.5 (0.5) |
653 (227) |
567 (204) |
14.3 (3.7) |
|
| 6 |
76.7 (29.9) |
1.3 (0.7) |
604 (231) |
610 (196) |
15.5 (4) |
|
| 21 |
82.3 (33.2) |
1.4 (0.6) |
776 (308) |
486 (179) |
12.4 (4.1) |
|
DistributionLevonorgestrel in serum is primarily bound to SHBG. Ethinyl estradiol is about 97% bound to plasma albumin. Ethinyl estradiol does not bind to SHBG, but induces SHBG synthesis.
Metabolism Levonorgestrel
The most important metabolic pathway occurs in the reduction of the Δ4-3-oxo group and hydroxylation at positions 2α, 1β, and 16β, followed by conjugation. Most of the metabolites that circulate in the blood are sulfates of 3α,5β-tetrahydro-levonorgestrel, while excretion occurs predominantly in the form of glucuronides. Some of the parent levonorgestrel also circulates as 17β-sulfate. Metabolic clearance rates may differ among individuals by several-fold, and this may account in part for the wide variation observed in levonorgestrel concentrations among users.
Ethinyl Estradiol
Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP3A4) in the liver are responsible for the 2-hydroxylation that is the major oxidative reaction. The 2-hydroxy metabolite is further transformed by methylation and glucuronidation prior to urinary and fecal excretion. Levels of Cytochrome P450 (CYP3A) vary widely among individuals and can explain the variation in rates of ethinyl estradiol 2-hydroxylation. Ethinyl estradiol is excreted in the urine and feces as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, and undergoes enterohepatic circulation.
ExcretionThe elimination half-life for levonorgestrel is approximately 36 ± 13 hours at steady-state. Levonorgestrel and its metabolites are primarily excreted in the urine (40% to 68%) and about 16% to 48% are excreted in feces. The elimination half-life of ethinyl estradiol is 18 ± 4.7 hours at steady-state.
Special Populations
RaceBased on the pharmacokinetic study with levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, 0.10 mg/0.02 mg tablets, there are no apparent differences in pharmacokinetic parameters among women of different races.
Hepatic InsufficiencyNo formal studies have evaluated the effect of hepatic disease on the disposition of Aviane (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets). However, steroid hormones may be poorly metabolized in patients with impaired liver function.
Renal InsufficiencyNo formal studies have evaluated the effect of renal disease on the disposition of Aviane.
Drug-Drug Interactions
See PRECAUTIONS section - Drug Interactions
Indications and Usage for Aviane 28
Aviane is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives as a method of contraception.
Oral contraceptives are highly effective. Table II lists the typical accidental pregnancy rates for users of combination oral contraceptives and other methods of contraception. The efficacy of these contraceptive methods, except sterilization, the IUD, and Norplant® System, depends upon the reliability with which they are used. Correct and consistent use of methods can result in lower failure rates.
Table II: Percentage of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy During the First Year of Typical Use and the First Year of Perfect Use of Contraception and the Percentage Continuing Use at the End of the First Year. United States.
| Source: Trussell J. Contraceptive efficacy. In: Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Stewart F, Cates W, Stewart GK, Kowel D, Guest F. Contraceptive Technology: Seventeenth Revised Edition. New York NY: Irvington Publishers; 1998. |
|
|
% of Women Experiencing an
Unintended Pregnancy within the
First Year of Use |
% of Women Continuing
Use at One Year |
Method
(1) |
Typical Use
(2) |
Perfect Use
(3) |
(4) |
| Chance |
85 |
85 |
|
| Spermicides |
26 |
6 |
40 |
| Periodic abstinence |
25 |
|
63 |
| Calendar |
|
9 |
|
| Ovulation Method |
|
3 |
|
| Sympto-Thermal |
|
2 |
|
| Post-Ovulation |
|
1 |
|
| Cap |
|
|
|
| Parous Women |
40 |
26 |
42 |
| Nulliparous Women |
20 |
9 |
56 |
| Sponge |
|
|
|
| Parous Women |
40 |
20 |
42 |
| Nulliparous Women |
20 |
9 |
56 |
| Diaphragm Þ |
20 |
6 |
56 |
| Withdrawal |
19 |
4 |
|
| Condom |
|
|
|
| Female (Reality) |
21 |
5 |
56 |
| Male |
14 |
3 |
61 |
| Pill |
5 |
|
71 |
| Progestin only |
|
0.5 |
|
| Combined |
|
0.1 |
|
| IUD |
|
|
|
| Progesterone T |
2 |
1.5 |
81 |
| Copper T380A |
0.8 |
0.6 |
78 |
| LNg 20 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
81 |
| Depo-Provera® |
0.3 |
0.3 |
70 |
Levonorgestrel
Implants (Norplant®) |
0.05 |
0.05 |
88 |
| Female Sterilization |
0.5 |
0.5 |
100 |
| Male Sterilization |
0.15 |
0.10 |
100 |
| Emergency Contraceptive Pills: The FDA has concluded that certain combined oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel or levonorgestrel are safe and effective for use as postcoital emergency contraception. Treatment initiated within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse reduces the risk of pregnancy by at least 75%. |
| Lactation Amenorrhea Method: LAM is a highly effective, temporary method of contraception. |
In a clinical trial with levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol 0.10 mg/0.02 mg tablets, 1,477 subjects had 7,720 cycles of use and a total of 5 pregnancies were reported. This represents an overall pregnancy rate of 0.84 per 100 woman-years. This rate includes patients who did not take the drug correctly. One or more pills were missed during 1,479 (18.8%) of the 7,870 cycles; thus all tablets were taken during 6,391 (81.2%) of the 7,870 cycles. Of the total 7,870 cycles, a total of 150 cycles were excluded from the calculation of the Pearl index due to the use of back-up contraception and/or missing 3 or more consecutive pills.
Contraindications
Combination oral contraceptives should not be used in women with any of the following conditions:
- Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders
- A history of deep-vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders
- Cerebrovascular or coronary artery disease (current or past history)
- Valvular heart disease with thrombogenic complications
- Thrombogenic rhythm disorders
- Hereditary or acquired thrombophilias
- Major surgery with prolonged immobilization
- Diabetes with vascular involvement
- Headaches with focal neurological symptoms
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Known or suspected carcinoma of the breast or personal history of breast cancer
- Carcinoma of the endometrium or other known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia
- Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding
- Cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice with prior pill use
- Hepatic adenomas or carcinomas, or active liver disease
- Known or suspected pregnancy
- Hypersensitivity to any of the components of Aviane
Warnings
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with the extent of smoking (in epidemiologic studies, 15 or more cigarettes per day was associated with a significantly increased risk) and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age. Women who use oral contraceptives should be strongly advised not to smoke.
The use of oral contraceptives is associated with increased risks of several serious conditions including venous and arterial thrombotic and thromboembolic events (such as myocardial infarction, thromboembolism, and stroke), hepatic neoplasia, gallbladder disease, and hypertension, although the risk of serious morbidity or mortality is very small in healthy women without underlying risk factors. The risk of morbidity and mortality increases significantly in the presence of other underlying risk factors such as certain inherited or acquired thrombophilias, hypertension, hyperlipidemias, obesity, diabetes, and surgery or trauma with increased risk of thrombosis (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).
Practitioners prescribing oral contraceptives should be familiar with the following information relating to these risks.
The information contained in this package insert is principally based on studies carried out in patients who used oral contraceptives with higher doses of estrogens and progestogens than those in common use today. The effect of long-term use of the oral contraceptives with lower doses of both estrogens and progestogens remains to be determined.
Throughout this labeling, epidemiological studies reported are of two types: retrospective or case control studies and prospective or cohort studies. Case control studies provide a measure of the relative risk of disease, namely, a ratio of the incidence of a disease among oral contraceptive users to that among nonusers. The relative risk does not provide information on the actual clinical occurrence of a disease. Cohort studies provide a measure of attributable risk, which is the difference in the incidence of disease between oral contraceptive users and nonusers. The attributable risk does provide information about the actual occurrence of a disease in the population. For further information, the reader is referred to a text on epidemiological methods.
1. Thromboembolic Disorders and Other Vascular Problems
a. Myocardial InfarctionAn increased risk of myocardial infarction has been attributed to oral contraceptive use. This risk is primarily in smokers or women with other underlying risk factors for coronary-artery disease such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, morbid obesity, and diabetes. The relative risk of heart attack for current oral contraceptive users has been estimated to be two to six. The risk is very low under the age of 30.
Smoking in combination with oral contraceptive use has been shown to contribute substantially to the incidence of myocardial infarction in women in their mid-thirties or older with smoking accounting for the majority of excess cases. Mortality rates associated with circulatory disease have been shown to increase substantially in smokers over the age of 35 and nonsmokers over the age of 40 (Figure II) among women who use oral contraceptives.
Figure II: Circulatory Disease Mortality Rates Per 100,000 Woman Years by Age, Smoking Status and Oral Contraceptive Use (Adapted from P.M. Layde and V. Beral, Lancet, 1:541–546, 1981.)
Oral contraceptives may compound the effects of well-known risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemias, age, and obesity. In particular, some progestogens are known to decrease HDL cholesterol and cause glucose intolerance, while estrogens may create a state of hyperinsulinism. Oral contraceptives have been shown to increase blood pressure among users (see section 9 in WARNINGS). Similar effects on risk factors have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Oral contraceptives must be used with caution in women with cardiovascular disease risk factors.
b. Venous Thrombosis and ThromboembolismAn increased risk of venous thromboembolic and thrombotic disease associated with the use of oral contraceptives is well established. Case control studies have found the relative risk of users compared to nonusers to be 3 for the first episode of superficial venous thrombosis, 4 to 11 for deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, and 1.5 to 6 for women with predisposing conditions for venous thromboembolic disease. Cohort studies have shown the relative risk to be somewhat lower, about 3 for new cases and about 4.5 for new cases requiring hospitalization. The approximate incidence of deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in users of low dose (<50 mcg ethinyl estradiol) combination oral contraceptives is up to 4 per 10,000 woman-years compared to 0.5 to 3 per 10,000 woman-years for nonusers. However, the incidence is less than that associated with pregnancy (6 per 10,000 woman-years). The excess risk is highest during the first year a woman ever uses a combined oral contraceptive. Venous thromboembolism may be fatal. The risk of thromboembolic disease due to oral contraceptives is not related to length of use and gradually disappears after pill use is stopped.
A two- to four-fold increase in relative risk of postoperative thromboembolic complications has been reported with the use of oral contraceptives. The relative risk of venous thrombosis in women who have predisposing conditions is twice that of women without such medical conditions. If feasible, oral contraceptives should be discontinued at least four weeks prior to and for two weeks after elective surgery of a type associated with an increase in risk of thromboembolism and during and following prolonged immobilization. Since the immediate postpartum period is also associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, oral contraceptives should be started no earlier than four weeks after delivery in women who elect not to breast-feed or after a midtrimester pregnancy termination.
c. Cerebrovascular DiseasesOral contraceptives have been shown to increase both the relative and attributable risks of cerebrovascular events (thrombotic and hemorrhagic strokes), although, in general, the risk is greatest among older (>35 years), hypertensive women who also smoke. Hypertension was found to be a risk factor for both users and nonusers, for both types of strokes, while smoking interacted to increase the risk for hemorrhagic strokes.
In a large study, the relative risk of thrombotic strokes has been shown to range from 3 for normotensive users to 14 for users with severe hypertension. The relative risk of hemorrhagic stroke is reported to be 1.2 for nonsmokers who used oral contraceptives, 2.6 for smokers who did not use oral contraceptives, 7.6 for smokers who used oral contraceptives, 1.8 for normotensive users and 25.7 for users with severe hypertension. The attributable risk is also greater in older women. Oral contraceptives also increase the risk for stroke in women with other underlying risk factors such as certain inherited or acquired thrombophilias. Women with migraine (particularly migraine/headaches with focal neurological symptoms, see CONTRAINDICATIONS) who take combination oral contraceptives may be at an increased risk of stroke.
d. Dose-Related Risk of Vascular Disease From Oral ContraceptivesA positive association has been observed between the amount of estrogen and progestogen in oral contraceptives and the risk of vascular disease. A decline in serum high-density lipoproteins (HDL) has been reported with many progestational agents. A decline in serum high-density lipoproteins has been associated with an increased incidence of ischemic heart disease. Because estrogens increase HDL cholesterol, the net effect of an oral contraceptive depends on a balance achieved between doses of estrogen and progestogen and the nature and absolute amount of progestogen used in the contraceptive. The amount of both hormones should be considered in the choice of an oral contraceptive.
Minimizing exposure to estrogen and progestogen is in keeping with good principles of therapeutics. For any particular estrogen/progestogen combination, the dosage regimen prescribed should be one which contains the least amount of estrogen and progestogen that is compatible with a low failure rate and the needs of the individual patient. New acceptors of oral contraceptive agents should be started on preparations containing the lowest estrogen content which is judged appropriate for the individual patient.
e. Persistence of Risk of Vascular DiseaseThere are two studies which have shown persistence of risk of vascular disease for ever-users of oral contraceptives. In a study in the United States, the risk of developing myocardial infarction after discontinuing oral contraceptives persists for at least 9 years for women 40 to 49 years who had used oral contraceptives for five or more years, but this increased risk was not demonstrated in other age groups.
In another study in Great Britain, the risk of developing cerebrovascular disease persisted for at least 6 years after discontinuation of oral contraceptives, although excess risk was very small. However, both studies were performed with oral contraceptive formulations containing 50 mcg or higher of estrogens.
2. Estimates of Mortality From Contraceptive Use
One study gathered data from a variety of sources which have estimated the mortality rate associated with different methods of contraception at different ages (Table III). These estimates include the combined risk of death associated with contraceptive methods plus the risk attributable to pregnancy in the event of method failure. Each method of contraception has its specific benefits and risks. The study concluded that with the exception of oral contraceptive users 35 and older who smoke and 40 and older who do not smoke, mortality associated with all methods of birth control is less than that associated with childbirth. The observation of a possible increase in risk of mortality with age for oral contraceptive users is based on data gathered in the 1970's — but not reported until 1983. However, current clinical practice involves the use of lower estrogen dose formulations combined with careful restriction of oral contraceptive use to women who do not have the various risk factors listed in this labeling.
Because of these changes in practice and, also, because of some limited new data which suggest that the risk of cardiovascular disease with the use of oral contraceptives may now be less than previously observed, the Fertility and Maternal Health Drugs Advisory Committee was asked to review the topic in 1989. The Committee concluded that although cardiovascular disease risks may be increased with oral contraceptive use after age 40 in healthy nonsmoking women (even with the newer low-dose formulations), there are greater potential health risks associated with pregnancy in older women and with the alternative surgical and medical procedures which may be necessary if such women do not have access to effective and acceptable means of contraception.
Therefore, the Committee recommended that the benefits of oral contraceptive use by healthy nonsmoking women over 40 may outweigh the possible risks. Of course, older women, as all women who take oral contraceptives, should take the lowest possible dose formulation that is effective.
Table III: Annual Number of Birth-Related or Method-Related Deaths Associated with Control of Fertility Per 100,000 Nonsterile Women, by Fertility-Control Method and According to Age
| Adapted from H.W. Ory, Family Planning Perspectives, 15:57-63, 1983. |
|
| Method of control and outcome |
15-19 |
20-24 |
25-29 |
30-34 |
35-39 |
40-44 |
| No fertility-control methods |
7 |
7.4 |
9.1 |
14.8 |
25.7 |
28.2 |
| Oral contraceptives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| nonsmoker |
0.3 |
0.5 |
0.9 |
1.9 |
13.8 |
31.6 |
| Oral contraceptives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| smoker† |
2.2 |
3.4 |
6.6 |
13.5 |
51.1 |
117.2 |
| IUD† |
0.8 |
0.8 |
1 |
1 |
1.4 |
1.4 |
| Condom* |
1.1 |
1.6 |
0.7 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
0.4 |
| Diaphragm/spermicide* |
1.9 |
1.2 |
1.2 |
1.3 |
2.2 |
2.8 |
| Periodic abstinence* |
2.5 |
1.6 |
1.6 |
1.7 |
2.9 |
3.6 |
3. Carcinoma of the Reproductive Organs and Breasts
Numerous epidemiological studies have examined the association between the use of oral contraceptives and the incidence of breast and cervical cancer.
The risk of having breast cancer diagnosed may be slightly increased among current and recent users of combination oral contraceptives. However, this excess risk appears to decrease over time after combination oral contraceptive discontinuation and by 10 years after cessation the increased risk disappears. Some studies report an increased risk with duration of use while other studies do not and no consistent relationships have been found with dose or type of steroid. Some studies have reported a small increase in risk for women who first use combination oral contraceptives at a younger age. Most studies show a similar pattern of risk with combination oral contraceptive use regardless of a woman's reproductive history or her family breast cancer history.
Breast cancers diagnosed in current or previous OC users tend to be less clinically advanced than in nonusers.
Women with known
