Ask a doctor about a prescription for FEMMYN 0.03 mg Vaginal Suppositories
Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Femmyn 0.03 mg vaginal tablets
Estriol
Read this package leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Contents of the package leaflet
Femmyn belongs to a group of medicines called Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) vaginal products.
It is used to relieve menopausal symptoms in the vagina, such as dryness or irritation. In medical terms, this is known as "vaginal atrophy". It is caused by a decrease in estrogen levels in your body. This happens naturally after menopause.
Femmyn works by replacing the estrogens that are normally produced by the ovaries in women. It is inserted into your vagina, so the hormone is released where it is needed. This can relieve discomfort in the vagina.
Femmyn is not a contraceptive, nor does it restore fertility.
Medical history and check-ups
The use of HRT carries risks that need to be considered when deciding whether to start or continue treatment.
Experience in treating women with premature menopause (due to ovarian failure or surgically induced) is limited. If you have premature menopause, the risks of using HRT may be different. Consult your doctor.
Before starting (or restarting) treatment with this medicine, your doctor will ask you about your personal and family medical history. Your doctor may consider it appropriate to perform a physical examination. This examination may include a breast examination and/or an internal examination, if necessary.
Once you have started treatment with Femmyn, you should see your doctor for regular check-ups (at least once a year). During these check-ups, you can discuss the benefits and risks of continuing treatment with Femmyn.
Have regular breast checks as recommended by your doctor
Do not use Femmyn
If you are in any of the following situations. If you are not sure, consult your doctorbefore using this medicine:
If any of the above conditions appear for the first time while using this medicine, stop taking it immediately and consult your doctor.
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment with Femmyn. Inform your doctor if you have or have had any of the following diseases before starting treatment, as they may reappear or worsen during treatment with Femmyn. If this is the case, you should see your doctor more often for check-ups:
Before starting treatment with this medicine, vaginal infections should be treated with appropriate medications.
Stop using Femmynand contact your doctor immediately
If you experience any of the following symptoms when taking HRT:
For more information, see "Stop using Femmyn and contact your doctor immediately".
If any of the above conditions occur, your doctor may need to ask you to stop treatment and indicate an alternative.
Observation
Femmyn is not a contraceptive. If you are less than 12 months since your last menstrual period or are under 50 years old, you may need to use an additional contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy. Ask your doctor.
HRT and cancer
Excessive growth of the lining of the uterus (endometrial hyperplasia) and cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer)
Taking estrogen-only HRT tablets for a long time may increase the risk of developing cancer of the lining of the uterus (the endometrium).
It is not clear if there is a similar risk if Femmyn is used for repeated or long-term treatment (more than one year). However, Femmyn has shown to have very low absorption into the bloodstream, so the addition of a progestogen is not necessary.
Bleeding or spotting may occur, usually it is not a cause for concern, but consult your doctor. It may be a symptom that your endometrium is thickening.
The following risks apply to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) medications that enter the bloodstream. Femmyn is used for local treatment in the vagina and absorption into the blood is very low. It is less likely that the situations described below will worsen or reappear during treatment with Femmyn, but you should visit your doctor if they affect you.
Breast cancer
Data suggest that using Femmyn does not increase the risk of breast cancer in women who have not had breast cancer in the past. It is not known if Femmyn can be used safely in women who have had breast cancer in the past.
Check your breasts regularly. Visit your doctor if you notice any changes such as:
In addition, you may have mammograms when suggested.
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is rare - much rarer than breast cancer. The use of estrogen-only HRT 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 who are not taking HRT, about 2 women in 2,000 will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer over a 5-year period. In women taking HRT for 5 years, about 3 cases per 2,000 women have been observed (i.e., about one additional case).
Effect of HRT on the heart and circulation
Blood clots in a vein (thrombosis)
The risk of having blood clots in the veinsis approximately 1.3 to 3 times higher in HRT users than in non-users, especially during the first year of use.
Blood clots can be serious, and if one travels to the lungs, it can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting (fainting), and even death.
You are more likely to have a blood clot in the veins as you get older and if you have any of the following circumstances. Inform your doctor if you have any of these conditions:
For more information on the symptoms of blood clot formation, see "Stop using Femmyn and contact your doctor immediately".
Comparative data
On average, in a 5-year period, among women in their 50s who are not taking HRT, 4 to 7 out of 1,000 will develop a blood clot in the veins.
Among women in their 50s who have been taking estrogen-only HRT for more than 5 years, there will be 5 to 8 cases per 1,000 users (i.e., 1 additional case).
Heart disease (heart attack)
For women taking estrogen-only therapy, there is no increased risk of developing heart disease.
Stroke
The risk of having a stroke is 1.5 times higher in HRT users than in non-users. The number of additional stroke cases due to HRT use will increase with age.
Comparative data
Among women in their 50s who are not taking HRT, on average, 8 out of 1,000 will have a stroke over a 5-year period. Among women in their 50s who use HRT, there will be 11 cases per 1,000 users over a 5-year period (i.e., 3 additional cases).
Other warnings
HRT will not prevent memory loss. There is some evidence of a higher risk of memory loss in women who start HRT after the age of 65. Ask your doctor for advice.
Using Femmyn 0.03 mg vaginal tablets with other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines, including those without a prescription, herbal medicines, or other natural products.
This medicine is used for local treatment in the vagina and interactions with other medicines are not expected after administration of this medicine.
This medicine may affect other treatments applied to the vagina but it is unlikely to affect other medicines.
The simultaneous use of this medicine with latex condoms may reduce the strength of the condoms and affect the safety provided by the condoms.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Femmyn is indicated for postmenopausal women. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor.
Driving and using machines
The influence of this medicine on the ability to drive and use machines is nil or insignificant.
Femmyn contains butylhydroxytoluene
This medicine may cause local skin reactions (such as contact dermatitis) or irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes because it contains butylhydroxytoluene.
Follow the instructions for using this medicine exactly as indicated by your doctor. If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
The recommended dose is:
The recommended dose is one tablet per day (corresponding to 0.03 mg of estriol per day), vaginally, for the first three weeks of treatment. Then, a maintenance dose of one tablet twice a week is recommended.
Your doctor will try to prescribe the lowest dose to treat your symptoms and for the shortest necessary time. Consult your doctor if you think this dose is too strong or not strong enough for you.
Method and duration of administration
The tablet should be inserted deeply into the vagina, preferably at night before going to bed.
To administer the tablet, separate the two layers to the sides until the tablet can be easily removed.
If you are going to have surgery
If you are going to have surgery, inform the surgeon that you are using Femmyn. You may need to stop using Femmyn for about 4 to 6 weeks before the operation to reduce the risk of blood clot formation (see section 2, "Blood clots in a vein"). Ask your doctor when you can start using Femmyn again.
If you use more Femmyn than you should
You should not be concerned if you accidentally administer more tablets than necessary, however, consult your doctor. Symptoms that may appear are nausea and vomiting, and vaginal bleeding may also occur after a few days.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist or call the Toxicology Information Service. Phone 915 620 420, indicating the medicine and the amount used.
If you forget to use Femmyn 0.03 mg vaginal tablets
If you forget a dose and do not realize it until the next day, do not worry about the missed dose, and continue with the treatment.
If you forgot to use Femmyn on the scheduled day, administer it as soon as possible and continue with your usual schedule.
If you stop treatment with Femmyn 0.03 mg vaginal tablets
Although symptoms improve considerably, you should continue treatment until the end. If you want to interrupt or stop treatment, consult your doctor.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The following diseases are more common in women using HRT medications that circulate in the blood, compared to women not using HRT. These risks are less related to treatments administered vaginally, such as Femmyn:
For more information on these side effects, see Section 2.
Local irritation may occur at the start of treatment.
Common side effects (1 to 10 per 100 users)
Uncommon side effects (1 to 10 per 1,000 users)
The following side effects have been reported with other HRTs:
Reporting side effects:
If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible side effect not listed in this package leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and on the blister after "EXP". The expiry date is the last day of the month indicated.
Do not store above 25°C.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Place the packaging and any unused medicines in the SIGRE collection point at your pharmacy. If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and any unused medicines. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Femmyn 0.03 mg ovules
Appearance of the product and package contents
Femmyn are white ovules.
Femmyn is available in packs of 10, 15, 20 or 30 ovules.
Only some pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer
Marketing authorization holder:
Kern Pharma, S.L.
Venus, 72 - Pol. Ind. Colón II
08228 Terrassa - Barcelona
Spain
Manufacturer:
Dr. Kade Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH
Rigistraße 2
12277 Berlin
Germany
Date of last revision of this leaflet: December 2023
Detailed and up-to-date information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS)
http://www.aemps.gob.es/
Discuss dosage, side effects, interactions, contraindications, and prescription renewal for FEMMYN 0.03 mg Vaginal Suppositories – subject to medical assessment and local rules.