Prospect: information for the user
Climen coated tablets
Valerato de estradiol / acetato de ciproterona
Read this prospect carefully before starting to take this medicine,because it contains important information for you. -Keep this prospect, as you may need to read it again. -If you have any doubts, consult your doctor or pharmacist. -This medicine has been prescribed only for you and should not be given to other people, even if they have the same symptoms as you, as it may harm them. -If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this prospect. See section 4. |
1.What is Climen and for what it is used
2.What you need to know before starting to take Climen
3.How to take Climen
Climen is indicated for:
Climen should not be used to prevent heart disease or to improve intellectual capacity.
Climen is not a contraceptive, nor does it restore fertility.
Follow carefully all the instructions given by your doctor.
Read the following information before using Climen.
Medical history and regular check-ups
The use of THS involves risks that must be taken into account when deciding whether to start or continue treatment.
The experience in treating women with premature menopause (due to ovarian insufficiency or surgical intervention) is limited. If you have premature menopause, the risks of using THS may be different. Consult your doctor.
Before starting (or resuming) THS, your doctor will ask you about your personal and family medical history. Your doctor may decide to perform a physical examination. This may include a breast examination and/or an internal examination, if necessary.
Once started on Climen treatment, you must visit your doctor for regular check-ups (at least once a year). In these controls, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of continuing with Climen.
You should have regular breast examinations, as recommended by your doctor.
Do not take Climen
if any of the following conditions affect you. If you are unsure about any of the following points, consult your doctor before taking Climen. Do not take Climen:
If any of these diseases occur for the first time while taking Climen, discontinue treatment and consult your doctor immediately.
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take Climen.
Visit your doctor regularly and at least once a year. Discuss with your doctor in each visit about the need to adjust or continue treatment. Your doctor will check if you have a high risk of developing thrombosis due to a combination of risk factors or a very high risk factor. If the risk is too high, your doctor will not prescribe THS.
For the treatment of climacteric symptoms, THS should only be initiated when symptoms affect the quality of life of the woman. In all cases, a careful evaluation of the risks and benefits should be performed at least annually, and THS should only be continued while the benefits outweigh the risks. The administration of the lowest dose and the shortest duration of treatment should always be considered.
A higher risk of a benign brain tumor (meningioma) has been reported with high doses (25 mg and above) of ciproterone acetate. If you are diagnosed with meningioma, your doctor will discontinue treatment with all medications containing ciproterone, including Climen, as a precaution (see section “Do not take Climen”).
Be especially careful with Climen:
Before starting treatment, inform your doctor if you have ever had any of the following problems, as they may recur or worsen during Climen treatment. If so, you should visit your doctor more frequently for check-ups:
Stop taking Climen and see your doctor immediately
If you notice any of the following disorders while taking THS:
For more information, see “Blood clots in a vein (thrombosis)”
Note: Climen is not a contraceptive.If you have had less than 12 months since your last menstrual period or if you are under 50 years old, you may still need to use an additional contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy. Ask your doctor.
Be especially careful not to exceed the recommended doses.
During treatment with THS, some serious diseases may appear more frequently, such as blood clots (thrombosis) and certain types of tumors.
THS and cancer
Endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer
THS with estrogen alone increases the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer.
The progestin in Climen protects against this increased risk.
In women with an intact uterus who are not using THS, a mean of 5 out of every 1,000 women, aged 50-65 years, will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer in a 5-year period.
In women with an intact uterus who use THS with estrogen alone, a mean of 10 to 60 out of every 1,000 women, aged 50-65 years, will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer (i.e., between 5 and 55 additional cases), depending on the dose and duration of treatment.
Unexpected bleeding
You will have menstrual bleeding once a month (also called bleeding of deprivation) while taking Climen. However, if you have irregular bleeding or spotting in addition to your menstrual period, which:
Consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Breast cancer
The available data show that the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogen-progestin combinations or with estrogen alone increases the risk of breast cancer.The additional risk depends on the duration of HRT use.The additional risk becomes apparent after 3 years of use. After stopping HRT, the additional risk will decrease over time, but the risk may persist for 10 years or more if HRT has been used for more than 5 years.
Your doctor will advise you on how to detect abnormalities in your breasts and will perform regular check-ups throughout treatment.
Comparison
In women aged 50-54 years who are not using HRT, a mean of 13 to 17 out of every 1,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in a 5-year period.
In women aged 50 years who initiate HRT with estrogen alone for 5 years, there will be 16 to 17 cases per 1,000 users (i.e., between 0 and 3 additional cases).
In women aged 50 years who initiate HRT with estrogen-progestin for 5 years, there will be 21 cases per 1,000 users (i.e., between 4-8 additional cases).
In women aged 50-59 years who are not using HRT, a mean of 27 cases of breast cancer per 1,000 women will be diagnosed in a 10-year period.
In women aged 50 years who initiate HRT with estrogen alone for more than 10 years, there will be 34 cases per 1,000 users (i.e., 7 additional cases).
In women aged 50 years who initiate HRT with estrogen-progestin for 10 years, there will be 48 cases per 1,000 users (i.e., 21 additional cases).
Check your breasts regularly. Consult your doctor if you detect any changes such as:
Additionally, it is recommended that you join breast cancer screening programs when offered. For breast cancer screening, it is essential to inform the nurse/healthcare professional who performs the radiography that you are a HRT user, as these medications can increase breast density, which can affect the results of the mammography. When breast density is increased, the mammography may not detect all lumps.
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer occurs less frequently than breast cancer. The use of HRT with estrogen alone or with estrogen-progestin combinations has been associated with a slightly higher risk of ovarian cancer.
The risk of ovarian cancer varies with age. For example, in women aged 50-54 years who are not using HRT, approximately 2 cases of ovarian cancer per 2,000 women will be observed in a 5-year period. In women in treatment with HRT for 5 years, approximately 3 cases per 2,000 patients (i.e., approximately 1 additional case) will be observed.
Effects of HRT on the heart and circulation
Blood clots in a vein (thrombosis)
The risk ofblood clots in veinsis approximately 1.3 to 3 times higher in HRT users compared to non-users, especially during the first year of use. The risk of thrombosis also increases with age.
Blood clots can be serious, and if one dislodges to the lungs, it can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, or even death.
You are more likely to have a blood clot in a vein with age and if any of the following conditions affect you. Inform your doctor if any of these situations affect you:
For the symptoms of a blood clot, see “Stop taking Climen and see your doctor immediately”.
Comparison
In women aged 50-54 years who are not using HRT, a mean of 4 to 7 out of every 1,000 will have a blood clot in a vein in a 5-year period.
In women aged 50-54 years who have been taking HRT with estrogen-progestin for more than 5 years, there will be 9 to 12 cases per 1,000 users (i.e., 5 additional cases).
Arterial thromboembolism
In large clinical trials with estrogen conjugates and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) combinations, a possible increase in cardiovascular pathology was observed in the first year of use and an increase in the risk of stroke. It is unknown whether these findings can be extended to other HRT products that contain different estrogens and progestins, such as Climen.
Coronary heart disease (heart attack)
HRT does not prevent heart attacks.You should not use HRT to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Women over 60 years old who are HRT users are slightly more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those who do not use HRT.
Stroke
The risk of stroke is approximately 1.5 times higher in HRT users compared to non-users. The number of additional stroke cases due to HRT increases with age.
Comparison
In women aged 50-54 years who are not using HRT, a mean of 8 out of every 1,000 will have a stroke in a 5-year period. For women aged 50-54 years who are taking HRT, there will be 11 cases per 1,000 users in a 5-year period (i.e., 3 additional cases).
Dementia
There is limited evidence from clinical studies that HRT may increase the risk of significant cognitive impairment, such as memory loss (dementia), if treatment is initiated at 65 years or older.The risk may decrease if treatment is initiated in early menopause, as observed in other studies. It is unknown whether these findings can be extended to other HRT products.
Other diseases
If you are diabetic, you should be closely monitored while taking HRT, as it may affect carbohydrate metabolism (peripheral resistance to insulin and glucose tolerance).
If you suspect you have a prolactinoma (a non-cancerous tumor that causes an increase in prolactin secretion), it should be ruled out before starting treatment. If you have a prolactinoma, close medical supervision (including regular measurement of prolactin levels) is necessary.
If you develop a melasma (skin discoloration in patches with irregular borders and a dark brown color, which appears mainly on the face) during HRT treatment, especially if you have a history of melasma during pregnancy, you should avoid exposure to the sun or ultraviolet rays while on treatment.
Inform your doctor if you experience any alteration in kidney or heart function. Estrogens can cause fluid retention, and patients with kidney function alterations should be closely monitored.
You should evaluate with your doctor the possible alternative treatments available for your specific situation and how long treatment should be prolonged. This should be reviewed periodically throughout treatment.
If you have a uterine fibroid (a type of uterine tumor), it may increase in size due to the influence of estrogens. In that case, treatment should be suspended.
If you experience the reactivation of endometriosis, it is recommended that you suspend treatment.
Climen is not a contraceptive and should not be used as such; it also does not restore fertility.
To prevent pregnancy, additional contraceptive methods will be used when necessary, using non-hormonal methods (except for the rhythm and temperature methods). If there are indications of a possible pregnancy, treatment with Climen should be interrupted until it has been confirmed (see section “Pregnancy, lactation, and fertility”).
HRT does 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. Ask your doctor.
In women with hereditary angioedema (swelling or edema of an allergic type that usually appears on the face), exogenous estrogens such as those in Climen may induce or worsen symptoms.
Additional information for special populations
Children and adolescents
Climen is not indicated for use in children and adolescents.
Geriatric population
There are no data to suggest a need for dose adjustment in elderly patients.
Patients with liver disease
Climen has not been specifically studied in patients with liver disease. Climen is contraindicated in women with severe liver disease (see section “Do not take Climen”).
Patients with renal disease
Climen has not been specifically studied in patients with renal disease.
Use of Climen with other medications
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking,have takenrecentlyor may need to take any other medication,including those purchased without a prescription,herbal remedies, or other natural products.
Certain medications may interact with the effect of Climen. This may cause irregular bleeding. In these cases, it may be necessary to change the dose or discontinue treatment with one of the medications. This applies to the following medications:
HRT may affect the functioning of other medications:
There are substances (e.g., paracetamol) that may increase the circulating levels of estradiol in the blood and, therefore, may increase its effect.
In individual cases, the requirements for oral antidiabetic medications or insulin may vary due to the effects on glucose tolerance.
The simultaneous administration of Climen and cyclosporine may increase the circulating levels of cyclosporine, creatinine, and transaminases, through a mechanism of decreased hepatic elimination of cyclosporine.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may need to take any other medication. Your doctor will advise you accordingly.
Laboratory tests
If you need a blood test, inform your doctoror the laboratory personnelthat you are taking Climen, as it may alter the results of certain tests or laboratory analyses.
Pregnancy, lactation, and fertility
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you suspect you may be pregnant or have plans to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.
Climen is only indicated for use in postmenopausal women.Do not use Climen if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant..If pregnancy occurs during treatment with Climen, treatment should be discontinued immediately.
Do not use Climen if you are breastfeeding. Small amounts of sex hormones may be excreted in human milk.
Driving and operating machinery
No effects on the ability to drive and operate machinery have been observed in users of Climen.
Climen contains lactose and sucrose
If your doctor has indicated that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult with them before taking this medication.
Remember to take your medication.
If you still have menstrual cycles, treatment should start on the fifth day of the cycle (first day of menstrual bleeding = first day of the cycle).
If you have amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) or very infrequent periods or are postmenopausal, you can start treatment at any time, once a previous pregnancy has been ruled out.
Dosage
Take one white tablet once a day for the first 11 days, followed by one pink tablet once a day for 10 days. After these 21 days of treatment, there will be a 7-day interval without taking tablets.
Administration
Each package allows for 21 days of treatment. After the 7-day interval without medication, you should start a new package of Climen on the same day of the week that you started with the previous one. The tablets should be taken without chewing, with some liquid.
To help you follow the taking order, 7 adhesive strips with the 7 days of the week are provided.
Choose the adhesive strip of the week that starts with the day you take the first tablet. For example, if you take your first tablet on a Wednesday, use the adhesive strip that starts with “WED”.
Stick the adhesive strip of the week on the top of the Climen blister, where it is indicated “Put the adhesive strip here”, so that the first day is placed above the tablet marked with the word “Start”. Now you will have a day marked above each tablet and you will be able to check visually if you have taken the tablet on a given day.
Take one tablet each day, following the direction of the arrows, until you finish the 21 tablets in the blister. In this way, you will take a white tablet daily for the first 11 days and, subsequently, a pink tablet daily for the next 10 days.
It is indifferent what time of day you take the tablet, but once you have selected a specific time, you must maintain it every day.
During the 7-day interval without taking tablets, bleeding usually appears a few days after stopping the last tablet.
For both the start and continuation of treatment for climacteric symptoms, you should use the minimum effective dose in all cases during the treatment period, as short as possible.
If you estimate that the action of Climen is too strong or too weak, inform your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor will indicate the duration of your treatment with Climen. Do not suspend treatment beforehand, as it may not have the desired effect.
If you take more Climen than you should
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist or call the Toxicological Information Service. Telephone 915 620 420, indicating the medication and the amount used.
Overdose may cause nausea, vomiting, and irregular bleeding. No specific treatment is required, but you should consult your doctor if you are concerned.
If you forgot to take Climen
Do not take a double dose to compensate for the missed doses.
If you have forgotten to take a tablet and less than 24 hours have passed, take the tablet as soon as possible and take the next tablet at your usual time. If more than 24 hours have passed, leave the forgotten tablet in the blister. Continue taking the remaining tablets at your usual time every day. If treatment is suspended for a longer period, irregular bleeding may appear.
If you need surgical intervention
If you are about to undergo surgical intervention, inform the surgeon that you are taking Climen. You may need to interrupt treatment with Climen for 4 to 6 weeks before the intervention to reduce the risk of blood clot formation (see also section 2 “Blood clots in a vein”). Ask your doctor when you can resume treatment with Climen.
If you have any other doubts about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medications, this medication may cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
The following diseases occur more frequently in women who use THS compared to women who do not take THS:
For more information about these side effects, see section 2
In addition to the side effects listed in the section "Be careful with Climen", the following possible side effects, according to the part of the body affected and their frequency of occurrence, have been reported in users of different oral preparations of THS:
In women with hereditary angioedema (allergic type swelling or edema that usually appears on the face), exogenous estrogens such as those contained in Climen may induce or worsen symptoms (see "Be careful with Climen").
The following side effects have been reported in relation to other medications used in THS:
Reporting side effects
If you experienceany type of side effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is apossibleside effect that does not appear in this prospectus.You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for the Pharmacovigilance of Medicines for Human Use:www.notificaRAM.es. By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information about the safety of this medication.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
No special storage conditions are required.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Medications should not be disposed of through drains or in the trash. Dispose of packaging and unused medications at the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused packaging and medications. By doing so, you will help protect the environment.
Each white coated tablet contains 2.0 mg of valerato de estradiol.
Each pink coated tablet contains 2.0 mg of valerato de estradiol and 1.0 mg of acetato de ciproterona.
Appearance of the product and contents of the packaging
Climen is presented as coated tablets in a blister pack. Each blister pack contains 21 tablets (11 white tablets and 10 pink tablets).
Holder of the marketing authorization and responsible for manufacturing
Bayer Hispania, S.L.
Av. Baix Llobregat, 3-5
08970 Sant Joan Despí (Barcelona)
Spain
Responsible for manufacturing
Delpharm Lille SAS
Parc d'Activités Roubaix-Est
22 Rue de Toufflers - CS 50070
59452 Lys-Lez-Lannoy
France
or
Bayer AG
Müllerstraße 178
13353 Berlin
Germany
or
Bayer Weimar GmbH und Co. KG
Döbereinerstraße 20
99427 Weimar
Germany
Last revision date of this leaflet:January 2024
The detailed information of this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)http://www.aemps.gob.es/.
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.