Trisequens

What is it?

An oestrogen/progestogen preparation available as film-coated tablets marked NOVO. 12 blue tablets, coded 270, contain 2mg of oestradiol; 10 white tablets, coded 271, contain 2mg of oestradiol and 1mg of norethisterone acetate; 6 red tablets, coded 272, contain 1mg of oestradiol. Also, TRISEQUENS FORTE, available as film-coated tablets marked NOVO. 12 yellow tablets coded 273, contain 4mg of oestradiol; 10 white tablets, coded 274, contain 4mg of oestradiol and 1mg of norethisterone acetate; 6 red tablets, coded 272, 1mg of oestradiol.

Medical Uses

Relief of menopausal symptoms, prevention of osteoporosis after the menopause.

Dosage

1 tablet each day taken continuously starting with blue tablets (Trisequens) or yellow tablets (Trisequens Forte). Begin on 5th day of period, if present.

Special Care

High blood pressure, severe kidney disease receiving dialysis, Raynaud's disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, asthma, varicose veins, elevated levels of prolactin (a hormone) in the blood (hyperprolactinernia). Risk of thrombosis increases with smoking, age and obesity. Blood pressure, breasts and pelvic organs should be checked during period of treatment.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, heart and circulatory diseases, angina, sickle cell anaemia, pulmonary hypertension. Also, hormone-dependent cancers, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, chorea, liver disease, history of cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy, infectious hepatitis, Dublin-Johnson syndrome, Rotor syndrome, recent trophoblastic disease.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Phenytoin, carbamazepine, tetracyclines, primidone, chloral hydrate, glutethimide, phenylbutazone, rifatnpicin, griseofulvin, gmpicillin, dichloralphenazone, ethosuximide, barbiturates, St John's Wort.

Known Side Effects

Feeling of bloatedness due to fluid retention, leg pains, breast enlargement, erosion of cervix, muscular cramps, weight gain, breakthrough bleeding, depression, headaches, vaginal cervix, muscular cramps, weight gain, breakthrough bleeding, depression, headaches, vaginal discharge, loss of libido, nausea, brown patches on skin (chloasma). Stop drug immediately in event of pregnancy.