Leaflet: Information for the user
Levosert One0.02 mg every 24 hours intrauterine release system
levonorgestrel
Read the entire leaflet carefully before starting to use this medication,as it contains important information for you.
Contents of the leaflet
5 Preservation of Levosert One
This medication is an intrauterine release system (IUS) for insertion into the uterus, where it slowly releases the hormone levonorgestrel.
It is used for:
Contraception
This medication is an effective, long-term, non-permanent (reversible) contraceptive method.
This medication prevents pregnancy by thinning the lining of the uterus (endometrium), making the normal mucus of the uterine opening (cervical canal) thicker, so that sperm cannot pass through to fertilize the egg, and preventing the release of eggs (ovulation) in some women. Additionally, the presence of the T-shaped body causes local effects on the uterine lining.
The system should be removed after 8 years of use when used as a contraceptive.
Treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding
This medication is also useful for reducing menstrual blood flow, so you can use it if you suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia). The hormone in this medication acts by thinning the lining of your uterus so that there is less bleeding each month.
The system should be removed or replaced after 8 years of use, or earlier if heavy or bothersome menstrual bleeding returns.
Children and adolescents
This medication is not indicated for use before the first menstrual period (menarche).
Do not use Levosert One
Warnings and precautions
Before this medication is inserted, your doctor or nurse will perform some tests to ensure that this medication is suitable for you. This will include a pelvic exam and may also include other tests, such as a breast exam, if your doctor or nurse considers it appropriate.
Genital infections will need to be successfully treated before this medication can be inserted.
If you have epilepsy, inform your doctor or nurse before inserting this medication, as it can rarely cause a seizure during insertion. Some women may feel faint after the procedure. This is normal, and your doctor or nurse will tell you to rest for a while.
This medication may not be suitable for all women.
This medication, like other hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease (e.g., chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and syphilis). You will need to use condoms to protect yourself from these diseases.
Talk to your doctor before using Levosert One:
If you have or have had any of the above conditions, your doctor will decide if you can use this medication.
You should also inform your doctor if any of these conditions occur for the first time while you have this medication inserted.
You should see a doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you experience painful swelling in the leg, sudden chest pain, or difficulty breathing, as these can be signs of a blood clot. It is essential that any blood clot is treated immediately.
Expulsion
Uterine muscle contractions during menstruation can sometimes push the IUS out of place or expel it. This is more likely to happen if you are overweight at the time of IUS insertion or if you have a history of heavy menstrual periods. If the IUS is displaced, it may not work properly, and the risk of pregnancy increases. If the IUS is expelled, you are no longer protected against pregnancy.
Possible symptoms of expulsion are pain and abnormal bleeding, but Levosert One can also be expelled without you realizing it. Because Levosert One reduces menstrual flow, an increase in flow may indicate an expulsion.
It is recommended that you check the threads with your finger, for example, while showering. See also section 3 "How to use Levosert One - How can I tell if Levosert One is in place?". If you experience signs that indicate expulsion or are unable to feel the threads, you should use an additional contraceptive method (such as condoms) and consult your healthcare professional.
Psychiatric disorders:
Some women using hormonal contraceptives like this medication have reported depression or a depressed mood. Depression can be severe and sometimes can lead to suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms, contact your doctor for additional medical advice as soon as possible.
This medication and smoking
Women are advised to stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.
Use of tampons and menstrual cups
The use of pads is recommended. If tampons or menstrual cups are used, they should be changed carefully to avoid pulling on the removal threads of Levosert One.
Other medications and Levosert One
The effect of hormonal contraceptives like this medication can be reduced by medications that increase the amount of liver enzymes produced. Inform your doctor if you are taking:
Inform your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken, or may need to take any other medication. This medication should not be used at the same time as another hormonal contraceptive.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility
Do not use this medication during pregnancy or if you suspect you may be pregnant.
Can I get pregnant while using this medication?
It is very rare for a woman to become pregnant while using this medication.
Not having a period does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. Some women may not have periods while using the system.
If you have not had a period for 6 weeks, consider taking a pregnancy test. If it is negative, there is no need for further testing, unless you have other symptoms of pregnancy, such as nausea, fatigue, or breast tenderness.
If you become pregnant with the device in place, contact your doctor as soon as possible to rule out an ectopic pregnancy (fetal development outside the uterus) and to have this medication removed to reduce the risk of a spontaneous abortion. However, if Levosert One is left in place during pregnancy, it not only increases the risk of spontaneous abortion but also the risk of preterm birth. If Levosert One cannot be removed, talk to your healthcare professional about the benefits and risks of continuing the pregnancy. If the pregnancy continues, you will be closely monitored during your pregnancy, and you should contact your doctor immediately if you experience stomach cramps, stomach pain, or fever.
Levosert One contains a hormone called levonorgestrel, and there have been isolated cases of genital effects in babies if they are exposed to levonorgestrel intrauterine devices while in the uterus.
What if I want to have a baby?
If you want to have a baby, ask your doctor to remove this medication. Your normal level of fertility will return very quickly once the system is removed.
Can I breastfeed while using this medication?
Very small amounts of the hormone from this medication are found in breast milk. No risk to the newborn is expected. You can continue breastfeeding during the use of this medication.
Driving and using machines
There are no known effects on the ability to drive and use machines.
Levosert One contains barium sulfate
The T-shaped structure of this medication contains barium sulfate, which makes it visible on X-rays.
Only a doctor or nurse with specific training can insert the system (see special instructions for insertion in the package).
The professional will explain the placement procedure and any risks associated with its use. Afterwards, you will be examined by your doctor or nurse before the insertion of this medication. If you have any doubts about its use, you can consult with them.
Starting to use Levosert One
Starting to use Levosert One after childbirth
Starting to use Levosert One after an abortion
Levosert One can be inserted immediately after an abortion, if the pregnancy was less than 3 months long and there are no genital infections. Then, Levosert One will work immediately.
Replacing Levosert One
Levosert One can be replaced with a new Levosert One at any time during your menstrual cycle. Then, Levosert One will work immediately.
Switching from another contraceptive method (such as combined hormonal contraceptives, implant)
Insertion of Levosert One
The examination performed by your healthcare professional before insertion may include:
After the gynecological examination
After the insertion of Levosert One, you should receive a patient reminder card from your doctor for follow-up appointments. Bring this card with you to each scheduled appointment.
How quickly does Levosert One work?
Contraception
If Levosert is inserted into your uterus during your menstrual period or within 7 days after the start of your period, or if you have a device and it's time to replace it with a new one, or if you have just had an abortion, you are protected against pregnancy from the moment the system is inserted.
Heavy menstrual bleeding
This medication normally achieves a significant reduction in menstrual blood loss within 3 to 6 months of treatment.
How will Levosert One affect my periods?
Many women experience spotting (a small amount of blood loss) in the first 3-6 months after the insertion of the system. Others will have prolonged or heavy bleeding. However, you may experience an increase in bleeding, usually in the first 2 to 3 months, before a reduction in blood loss is achieved. In general, you are more likely to have fewer days of bleeding each month and may even stop having your period. This is due to the effect of the hormone (levonorgestrel) on the uterine lining. If a notable reduction in blood loss is not achieved within 3 to 6 months, other treatments should be considered.
If you have had this medication inserted for a long time and then start experiencing bleeding problems, contact your doctor or healthcare professional for advice.
How often should I have my system checked?
You should check your Levosert One 4 to 6 weeks after insertion, and then regularly, at least once a year until its removal. Your doctor will determine how often and what types of checks are required in your particular case. Bring the patient reminder card you received from your doctor to each scheduled appointment. Also, you should contact your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms described in section 2 "Warnings and precautions".
How can I know if the system is in place?
After each menstrual period, you can look for the two thin threads that are attached to the lower end of the system. Your doctor will show you how to do this.
Do not pullon the threads, as you could accidentally pull it out. If you cannot find the threads, contact your doctor or nurse as soon as possible and avoid sex or use a barrier contraceptive method (such as condoms) in the meantime. The threads may have simply entered the uterus or cervical canal. If your doctor or nurse still cannot find the threads, they may have broken, or the medication may have come out on its own, or in rare cases, it may have perforated the uterine wall (uterine perforation, see section 4).
You should also go to the doctor if you can touch the lower end of the device itself, or if you or your partner experience pain or discomfort during sex.
If the system comes out completely or partially, you may not be protected against pregnancy. It is rare, but possible, that this happens without you realizing it during your menstrual period. An unusual increase in bleeding during your period may be a sign that this has happened. Inform your doctor or healthcare professional if you experience unexpected changes in your bleeding pattern.
Removal of Levosert One
Levosert One should be removed or replaced after 8 years of use, or earlier if heavy or bothersome menstrual bleeding returns.
Your doctor can easily remove the system at any time, after which it is possible to become pregnant. Some women feel dizzy or faint during or after the removal of Levosert One. You may experience some pain and bleeding during the removal of Levosert One.
Continuation of contraception after removal
If you do not want to become pregnant, Levosert One should not be removed after the seventh day of the menstrual cycle (menstrual period) unless you use other contraceptive methods (e.g., condoms) for at least 7 days before the removal of the IUD.
If you have irregular periods or do not have periods, you should use a barrier contraceptive method for 7 days before removal.
Also, a new Levosert One can be inserted immediately after removal, in which case no additional protection is needed. If you do not want to continue with the same method, ask your doctor about other reliable contraceptive methods.
If you have more questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor.
Like all medications, this medication can cause side effects, although not all people experience them.
With this medication, side effects are more frequent during the first months after the system has been inserted and decrease over time.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, please contact your doctor or nurse immediately:
Possible signs and symptoms of perforation may include:
Other side effects
Very common(may affect more than 1 in 10 women) may include:
Common(may affect up to 1 in 10 women) may include:
Uncommon(may affect up to 1 in 100 women) may include:
Rare(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 women) may include:
Reporting side effects
If you experience side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are possible side effects that do not appear in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medication.
This medication does not require special storage conditions.
Keep in the original packaging and keep the blister sealed in the outer box to protect it from light.
Keep the container perfectly closed. Only your doctor or healthcare professional should open it.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date shown on the label and on the box after "EXP". The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Medications should not be disposed of through wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point in the pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medications you no longer need. This way, you will help protect the environment.
Composition of Levosert One
The active ingredient is levonorgestrel.
Levosert One contains 52 mg of levonorgestrel contained in a substance called polydimethylsiloxane, surrounded by a membrane also of polydimethylsiloxane.
Appearance of the Product and Container Content
The Levosert One SLI along with the applicator device is presented individually packaged in a thermoformed plastic blister pack with a removable cover inside a cardboard box. The sterile blister is packaged inside a box with the prospectus and the patient reminder card.
Package sizes:
1 intrauterine release system with applicator device.
Multipack with 5 packages with an intrauterine release system with an applicator device.
Only some package sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Gedeon Richter Plc.
Gyömroi út 19-21.
1103 Budapest
Hungary
Manufacturer
Odyssea Pharma S.A.
Rue du Travail 16
4460 Grâce Hollogne
Belgium
Gedeon Richter Plc.
Gyömroi út 19-21
1103 Budapest
Hungary
You can request more information about this medication by contacting the local representative of the marketing authorization holder:
Gedeon Richter Ibérica S.A.
Sabino Arana, 28 4º 2ª
08028 Barcelona
Spain
+34 93 2034300
This medication is authorized in the member states of the European Economic Area under the following names:
Austria Levosert One
Cyprus Levosert One
Germany Levosert One
Denmark Levosert One
Spain Levosert One 0.02 mg every 24 hours intrauterine release system
Ireland Levosert SHI
Iceland Levosertone
Italy Benilexa
Malta Levosert One
Norway Levosert Single-Handed Inserter
Sweden Levosert Single-Handed Inserter
Slovenia Levosert SHI
United Kingdom Benilexa One Handed
Date of the last revision of thisprospectusJune 2024
Other sources of information
Detailed information about this medication is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/
_________________________________________________________________________________
This information is intended only for healthcare professionals:
Instructions for use and handling
Checklist for the prescribing doctor
Ask yourself the following questions before prescribing/inserting this medication:
Read the following instructions for use carefully, as there may be some differences in the type of applicator device compared to other IUDs you have used before:
Insertion instructions
It must be inserted by a healthcare professional using an aseptic technique.
It is recommended that Levosert One should only be inserted by healthcare professionals who are experienced in the placement of intrauterine release systems (IUS) and/or who have received sufficient training on the insertion procedure of Levosert One and have read these instructions carefully before inserting Levosert One.
Levosert One is supplied in a sterile package that should not be opened until it is necessary for its insertion. Do not re-sterilize. For single use. The product, once exposed, must be handled with aseptic precautions. If the seal of the sterile package is broken, the product must be discarded (see disposal instructions in section 6.6). Do not use if the inner package is damaged or open. Do not insert after the expiration date indicated on the box and on the blister after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
To know the time of insertion, consult section 4.2 of the technical data sheet.
Levosert One includes a patient reminder card in the package. Complete the patient reminder card and give it to the patient after insertion.
Preparation for insertion
Description
Figure 1a: Intrauterine Release System (IUS) Levosert One
Figure 1b: IUS with Levosert One inserter
Figure 2: Insertion sliders
Preparation for insertion
Step 1: Open the Levosert One sterile package
Step 2: Remove the inserter from the blister pack (Figure 3)
Figure 3
Step 3: Slide the sliders completely forward to load the IUS (Figure 4)
Figure 4
Step 4: Load the IUS into the inserter
Figure 5: Locking the threads in the notch
Figure 6: Position of the IUS in the insertion tube
Image 1
Image 2
Step 5: Adjust the marker (Figure 7)
Figure 7
Step 6: Insertion of the IUS into the uterus (Figure 8)
Figure 8
Step 7: Release and open the arms of the IUS
Figure 9
Figure 10: Move the device in the direction of the uterine fundus
Step 8: Release of the IUS and completion of the procedure
Figure 11: Release of the IUS from the insertion tube
Figure 12: Green indicator visible and threads released from the notch
Figure 13: Cut the threads to about 3 cm from the uterine cervix
The insertion of Levosert One has been completed.
Important information to consider during or after insertion:
IMPORTANT!
In case of a difficult insertion and/or exceptional pain or bleeding during or after insertion, an immediate physical examination and ultrasound should be performed to rule out perforation of the uterine body or cervix. Physical examination alone (including thread checking) may not be sufficient to exclude a partial perforation. If necessary, remove the system and insert a new sterile system.
After insertion, women should be re-examined after 4 to 6 weeks to check the threads and ensure that the device is in the correct position. Report any cases of uterine perforation or insertion difficulties through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medications: https://www.notificaram.es.
Removal/Replacement
The IUS is removed by gently pulling on the threads with forceps. Excessive force or sharp instruments during removal can cause the system to break.
If the threads are not visible and it is discovered that the system is in the uterine cavity during the ultrasound examination, it can be removed using narrow forceps. This may require cervical dilation or surgical intervention.
After removal of the IUS, the system should be examined to ensure that it is intact and that it has been completely removed. During difficult removals, isolated cases have been reported in which the hormone cylinder has slid over the horizontal arms, completely hiding them inside the cylinder. This situation does not require any further intervention once it has been verified that the IUS is complete. The protuberances of the horizontal arms normally prevent the complete separation of the cylinder from the T-shaped body.