Melodetta 24 Fe Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol and Ferrous Fumarate Kit
🆔 Identity & classification
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🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Iron bivalent, oral preparations class.
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🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
Oral contraceptives (birth-control pills) containing ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen) and norethindrone (a progestin) are used to prevent pregnancy. Estrogen and progestin are two female sex hormones. Combinations of estrogen and progestin work mainly by preventing ovulation (the release of eggs from the ovaries). Oral contraceptives are an effective method of birth control, but they do not prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
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💊 What it looks like
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
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💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per ea | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $0.423 | $1.27 / 3 kit |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data. | |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · quarterly | No Part D plan price is available for this NDC in our data. | |
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🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarina Fe 1/20 EQ 50102-0228-23 | Afaxys | 3 pouches | $0.131 | AB | Availability likely | save 69% |
| HAILEY Fe 1/20 68462-0419-29 | Glenmark | 1 kit | $0.131 | AB | Availability likely | save 69% |
| Junel Fe 28 Day 00555-9026-58 | Teva | 6 pouches | $0.131 | AB | Availability likely | save 69% |
| Hailey Fe 1.5/30 68462-0503-29 | Glenmark | 3 pouches | $0.138 | AB | Availability likely | save 67% |
| Junel Fe 28 Day 00555-9028-58 | Teva | 6 pouches | $0.138 | AB | Availability likely | save 67% |
| Junel Fe 24 00093-5328-62 | Teva | 3 pouches | $0.186 | AB | Availability likely | save 56% |
| Tarina 24 Fe 50102-0224-23 | Afaxys | 3 pouches | $0.186 | AB | Availability likely | save 56% |
| Finzala 00093-8210-62 | Teva | 12 tablets | $0.220 | AB | Availability likely | save 48% |
| Charlotte 24Fe 68462-0852-29 | Glenmark | 1 kit | $0.220 | AB | Availability likely | save 48% |
| norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol and ferrous fumarate 68462-0376-29 | Glenmark | 1 kit | $0.422 | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Melodetta 24 Fethis 69238-1031-07 | Amneal | 1 kit | $0.422 | — | FDA listed | — |
| Norethindrone Acetate And Ethinyl Estradiol And Ferrous Fumarate 00378-7303-53 | Mylan | 21 tablets | $0.788 | AB | Availability likely | +87% |
| Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol and Ferrous Fumarate 68462-0849-29 | Glenmark | 24 capsules | $0.864 | AB | Availability likely | +104% |
| Loestrin Fe 28 Day 51285-0125-70 | Teva | 5 pouches | $8.232 | AB | Availability likely | +1849% |
| Junel Fe 28 Day 50090-3237-00 | A-S | 1 kit | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol and Ferrous Fumarate 60219-1031-07 | Amneal | 1 kit | — | — | FDA listed | — |
| Aurovela 24 Fe 65862-0934-58 | Aurobindo | 5 pouches | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Aurovela Fe 1/20 65862-0940-58 | Aurobindo | 5 pouches | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| AUROVELA Fe 65862-0941-58 | Aurobindo | 5 pouches | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Junel Fe 28 Day 50090-3122-00 | A-S | 6 pouches | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Junel Fe 28 Day 63629-5628-01 | Bryant | 6 pouches | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Oshih 59651-0504-88 | Aurobindo | 3 pouches | — | — | FDA listed | — |
| Loestrin Fe 28 Day 51285-0128-70 | Teva | 5 pouches | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Junel Fe 28 Day 72789-0450-79 | PD-Rx | 1 pouch | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
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⏳ Availability & generic status
This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.
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📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69238-1031-07 You're viewing this | 3 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (69238-1031-7) / 1 KIT in 1 BLISTER PACK (69238-1031-6) | 2017-09-21 | Active |
🧭 About this NDC listing & data coverage
Kit / multi-component package
This NDC identifies a kit — a package containing more than one component. Structured data (pricing, ingredients, equivalents) is often reported per component rather than for the kit NDC itself, which can make this page look thinner than the components' own pages.
What data is (and isn’t) available for this NDC — tap to expand
| NDC identity (package / product / labeler codes) | ✓ Available |
| Labeler | ✓ Available |
| Product & package description | ✓ Available |
| Marketing category & status | ✓ Available |
| Active ingredient / dosage form / route | ✓ Available |
| FDA label (SPL via DailyMed) | ✓ Available |
| Package photos | ✓ Available |
| Inactive ingredients (structured) | — Not published for this NDC The labeler did not submit a structured excipient list, or no SPL is available. |
| NADAC pharmacy acquisition price (CMS) | ✓ Available |
| Orange Book / therapeutic-equivalence data | — Not published for this NDC Applies only to products approved under an NDA/ANDA; many listings are out of scope. |
| HCPCS J-code billing crosswalk | — Not published for this NDC Most self-administered / retail products have no J-code — that is normal. |
| Medicaid utilization (CMS SDUD) | — Not published for this NDC CMS reports utilization only for NDCs with Medicaid claims above its privacy threshold. |
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📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🚨 Boxed Warning ▾
WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive (COC) use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. For this reason, COCs should not be used by women who are over 35 years of age and smoke [see Contraindications (4) ] .
WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Women over 35 years old who smoke should not use Melodetta 24 Fe (4) Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive (COC) use (4)
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Melodetta™ 24 Fe is indicated for use by females of reproductive age to prevent pregnancy [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . The efficacy of Melodetta 24 Fe in women with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35 kg/m 2 has not been evaluated. Melodetta™ 24 Fe is an estrogen/progestin COC indicated for use by women to prevent pregnancy (1) The efficacy in women with a body mass index of more than 35 kg/m 2 has not been evaluated (1, 8.8)
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION One tablet daily chewed and swallowed or swallowed whole taken at the same time of day. Follow with 8 ounces of water (2.1) Take one tablet by mouth at the same time every day for 28 days (2.1) Take tablets in the order directed on the blister pack (2.1) Tablets may be administered without regard to meals (12.3)
2.1How to Take Melodetta 24 Fe To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, Melodetta 24 Fe must be taken exactly as directed. Instruct patients to take one tablet by mouth at the same time every day. The tablet may be chewed and swallowed or swallowed whole.
The patient should drink a full glass (8 ounces) of water immediately after the white tablets are chewed or swallowed whole. Tablets must be taken in the order directed on the blister pack. Tablets should not be skipped or taken at intervals exceeding 24 hours.
For patient instructions for missed tablets, [see FDA-approved patient labeling ] . Melodetta 24 Fe may be administered without regard to meals [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
2.2How to Start Melodetta 24 Fe Instruct the patient to begin taking Melodetta 24 Fe either on the first day of her menstrual period (Day 1 Start) or on the first Sunday after the onset of her menstrual period (Sunday Start). Day 1 Start During the first cycle of Melodetta 24 Fe use, instruct the patient to take one white Melodetta 24 Fe tablet daily, beginning on Day one (1) of her menstrual cycle (the first day of menstruation is Day one). She should take one white Melodetta 24 Fe tablet daily for 24 consecutive days, followed by one brown ferrous fumarate tablet daily on days 25 through 28.
Melodetta 24 Fe should be taken in the order directed on the package at the same time each day. Instruct the patient to use a non-hormonal contraceptive as back-up during the first 7 days if she starts taking Melodetta 24 Fe on a day other than the first day of her menstrual cycle. The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of medication should be considered.
Sunday Start During the first cycle of Melodetta 24 Fe use, instruct the patient to take one white Melodetta 24 Fe tablet daily, beginning on the first Sunday after the onset of her menstrual period. She should take one white Melodetta 24 Fe tablet daily for 24 consecutive days, followed by one brown ferrous fumarate tablet daily on days 25 through 28. Melodetta 24 Fe should be taken in the order directed on the package at the same time each day.
Melodetta 24 Fe should not be considered effective as a contraceptive until after the first 7 consecutive days of product administration. Instruct the patient to use a non-hormonal contraceptive as back-up during the first 7 days. The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of medication should be considered.
The patient should begin her next and all subsequent 28-day regimens of Melodetta 24 Fe on the same day of the week that she began her first regimen, following the same schedule. She should begin taking her white Melodetta 24 Fe tablets on the next day after ingestion of the last brown tablet, regardless of whether or not a menstrual period has occurred or is still in progress. Anytime a subsequent cycle of Melodetta 24 Fe is started later than the day following administration of the last brown ferrous fumarate tablet, the patient should use another method of contraception until she has taken a white Melodetta 24 Fe tablet daily for 7 consecutive days.
For postpartum women who do not breastfeed or after a second trimester abortion, start Melodetta 24 Fe no earlier than 4 weeks postpartum due to the increased risk of thromboembolism. If the patient starts on Melodetta 24 Fe postpartum and has not yet had a period, evaluate for possible pregnancy, and instruct her to use an additional method of contraception until she has taken Melodetta 24 Fe for 7 consecutive days. Melodetta 24 Fe may be initiated immediately after a first-trimester abortion or miscarriage; if the…
💊 Dosage Forms and Strengths ▾
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Melodetta 24 Fe is available in blister packs. Each blister pack contains 28 tablets in the following order: 24 white, round, (active) chewable tablets debossed with “AN” on one side and “30” on the other side, and each containing 1 mg norethindrone acetate, USP and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol, USP. 4 brown, round (non-hormonal placebo) tablets debossed with “AN” on one side and “364” on the other side, and each containing 75 mg ferrous fumarate.
The ferrous fumarate tablets do not serve any therapeutic purpose. Melodetta 24 Fe consists of 28 tablets in the following order (3) : 24 white chewable tablets (active), each containing 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol 4 brown tablets (non-hormonal placebo), each containing 75 mg ferrous fumarate, which do not serve any therapeutic purpose
⛔ Contraindications ▾
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Melodetta 24 Fe is contraindicated in females who are known to have or develop the following conditions: A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases. Examples include women who are known to: Smoke, if over age 35 [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Have deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, now or in the past [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Have cerebrovascular disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Have coronary artery disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Have thrombogenic valvular or thrombogenic rhythm diseases of the heart (for example, subacute bacterial endocarditis with valvular disease, or atrial fibrillation) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Have inherited or acquired hypercoagulopathies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Have uncontrolled hypertension [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Have diabetes mellitus with vascular disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Have headaches with focal neurological symptoms or have migraine headaches with aura All women over age 35 with migraine headache [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Liver tumors, benign or malignant, or liver disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Pregnancy, because there is no reason to use COCs during pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] Current diagnosis of, or history of, breast cancer, which may be hormone-sensitive [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Use of Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to the potential for ALT elevations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases (4) Breast cancer (4) Liver tumors or liver disease (4) Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding (4) Pregnancy (4) Co-administration with Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir (4)
⚠️ Warnings and Cautions ▾
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Vascular risks: Stop Melodetta 24 Fe if a thrombotic event occurs. Stop at least 4 weeks before through 2 weeks after major surgery. Start no earlier than 4 weeks after delivery, in women who are not breastfeeding (5.1) Liver disease: Discontinue if jaundice occurs (5.2) High blood pressure: Do not prescribe for women with uncontrolled hypertension or hypertension with vascular disease (5.4) Carbohydrate and lipid metabolic effects: Monitor prediabetic and diabetic women taking Melodetta 24 Fe.
Consider an alternative contraceptive method for women with uncontrolled dyslipidemia (5.5) Headache: Evaluate significant change in headaches and discontinue if indicated (5.6) Uterine bleeding: Evaluate irregular bleeding or amenorrhea (5.7)
5.1Thromboembolic Disorders and Other Vascular Problems Stop Melodetta 24 Fe if an arterial or deep venous thrombotic event (VTE) occurs. Stop Melodetta 24 Fe if there is unexplained loss of vision, proptosis, diplopia, papilledema, or retinal vascular lesions. Evaluate for retinal vein thrombosis immediately.
If feasible, stop Melodetta 24 Fe at least 4 weeks before and through 2 weeks after major surgery or other surgeries known to have an elevated risk of VTE. Start Melodetta 24 Fe no earlier than 4 weeks after delivery, in women who are not breastfeeding. The risk of postpartum VTE decreases after the third postpartum week, whereas the risk of ovulation increases after the third postpartum week.
The use of COCs increases the risk of VTE. However, pregnancy increases the risk of VTE as much or more than the use of COCs. The risk of VTE in women using COCs is 3 to 9 per 10,000 woman-years.
The risk of VTE is highest during the first year of use of a COC. The risk of thromboembolic disease due to oral contraceptives gradually disappears after COC use is discontinued. Use of COCs also increases the risk of arterial thrombosis such as strokes and myocardial infarctions, especially in women with other risk factors for these events.
COCs 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 in older (greater than 35 years of age), hypertensive women who also smoke. COCs also increase the risk for stroke in women with underlying risk factors. Use COCs with caution in women with cardiovascular disease risk factors.
5.2Liver Disease Impaired Liver Function Do not use Melodetta 24 Fe in women with acute viral hepatitis or severe (decompensated) cirrhosis of the liver [see Contraindications (4) ] . Acute or chronic disturbances of liver function may necessitate the discontinuation of COC use until markers of liver function return to normal and COC causation has been excluded. Discontinue Melodetta 24 Fe if jaundice develops.
Liver Tumors Melodetta 24 Fe is contraindicated in women with benign and malignant liver tumors [see Contraindications (4) ] . Hepatic adenomas are associated with COC use. An estimate of the attributable risk is 3.3 cases per 100,000 COC users.
Rupture of hepatic adenomas may cause death through intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Studies have shown an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in long-term (greater than 8 years) COC users. However, the attributable risk of liver cancers in COC users is less than one case per million users.
5.3Risk of Liver Enzyme Elevations with Concomitant Hepatitis C Treatment During clinical trials with the Hepatitis C combination drug regimen that contains ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, ALT elevations greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), including some cases greater than 20 times the ULN, were significantly more frequent in women using ethinyl estradiol-containing medications, such as COCs. Discontinue Melodetta 24 Fe prior to starting therapy with the combination drug regimen ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir [see Cont…
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions with the use of COCs are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: Serious cardiovascular events and stroke [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Vascular events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Liver disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Adverse reactions commonly reported by COC users are: Irregular uterine bleeding Nausea Breast tenderness Headache The most common adverse reactions in clinical trials (greater than or equal to 2%) were: headache, vaginal candidiasis, nausea, menstrual cramps, breast tenderness, bacterial vaginitis, abnormal cervical smear, acne, mood swings, and weight gain.
(6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-835-5472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
6.1Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data presented in Section 6.1 are from a clinical trial conducted with a 24-day regimen of norethindrone acetate 1 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.020 mg tablets. Melodetta 24 Fe is bioequivalent to these norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol tablets.
Common Adverse Reactions (Greater Than or Equal to 2% of all Treated Subjects) : The most common adverse reactions reported by at least 2% of the 743 women using norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol tablets were the following, in order of decreasing incidence: headache (6.3%), vaginal candidiasis (6.1%), nausea (4.6%), menstrual cramps (4.4%), breast tenderness (3.4%), bacterial vaginitis (3.1%), abnormal cervical smear (3.1%), acne (2.7%), mood swings (2.2%), and weight gain (2%). Adverse Reactions Leading to Study Discontinuation : Among the 743 women using norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol tablets, 46 women (6.2%) withdrew because of an adverse event.
Adverse events occurring in 3 or more subjects leading to discontinuation of treatment were, in decreasing order: abnormal or irregular bleeding (1.3%), nausea (0.8%), menstrual cramps (0.5%), and increased blood pressure (0.4%).
6.2Post-marketing Experience Five studies that compared breast cancer risk between ever-users (current or past use) of COCs and never-users of COCs reported no association between ever use of COCs and breast cancer risk, with effect estimates ranging from 0.90 to 1.12 (Figure 1). Three studies compared breast cancer risk between current or recent COC users (<6 months since last use) and never users of COCs (Figure 1). One of these studies reported no association between breast cancer risk and COC use.
The other two studies found an increased relative risk of 1.19 to 1.33 with current or recent use. Both of these studies found an increased risk of breast cancer with current use of longer duration, with relative risks ranging from 1.03 with less than one year of COC use to approximately 1.4 with more than 8 to 10 years of COC use. Figure 1.
RR = relative risk; OR = odds ratio; HR = hazard ratio. “ever COC” are females with current or past COC use; “never COC use” are females that never used COCs. The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of a 24-day regimen of norethindrone acetate 1 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.020 mg tablets. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or evaluate a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Adverse reactions are grouped into System Organ Classes. Vascular disorders: thrombosis/embolism (coronary artery, pulmonary, cerebral, deep vein). Hepatobiliary disorders: cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, hepatic adenoma, hemangioma of liver.
Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity reaction. Skin and subcutaneous disorders: alopecia, rash (g…
🔄 Drug Interactions ▾
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Consult the labeling of the concurrently-used drug to obtain further information about interactions with COCs or the potential for enzyme alterations. No drug-drug interaction studies were conducted with Melodetta 24 Fe. Drugs or herbal products that induce certain enzymes, including CYP3A4, may decrease the effectiveness of COCs or increase breakthrough bleeding.
Counsel patients to use a back-up method or alternative method of contraception when enzyme inducers are used with COCs (7.1)
7.1Effects of Other Drugs on Combined Oral Contraceptives Substances diminishing the efficacy of COCs: Drugs or herbal products that induce certain enzymes, including cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), may decrease the effectiveness of COCs or increase breakthrough bleeding. Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives include phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin, topiramate and products containing St. John’s wort.
Interactions between oral contraceptives and other drugs may lead to breakthrough bleeding and/or contraceptive failure. Counsel women to use an alternative method of contraception or a back-up method when enzyme inducers are used with COCs, and to continue back-up contraception for 28 days after discontinuing the enzyme inducer to ensure contraceptive reliability. Substances increasing the plasma concentrations of COCs: Co-administration of atorvastatin and certain COCs containing ethinyl estradiol increase AUC values for ethinyl estradiol by approximately 20%.
Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase plasma ethinyl estradiol concentrations, possibly by inhibition of conjugation. CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole or ketoconazole may increase plasma hormone concentrations. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/ Hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors: Significant changes (increase or decrease) in the plasma concentrations of the estrogen and progestin have been noted in some cases of co-administration of HIV/HCV protease inhibitors or of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
Antibiotics: There have been reports of pregnancy while taking hormonal contraceptives and antibiotics, but clinical pharmacokinetic studies have not shown consistent effects of antibiotics on plasma concentrations of synthetic steroids.
7.2Effects of Combined Oral Contraceptives on Other Drugs COCs containing ethinyl estradiol may inhibit the metabolism of other compounds. COCs have been shown to significantly decrease plasma concentrations of lamotrigine, likely due to induction of lamotrigine glucuronidation. This may reduce seizure control; therefore, dosage adjustments of lamotrigine may be necessary.
Women on thyroid hormone replacement therapy may need increased doses of thyroid hormone because serum concentration of thyroid-binding globulin increases with use of COCs.
7.3Concomitant Use with HCV Combination Therapy – Liver Enzyme Elevation Do not co-administer Melodetta 24 Fe with HCV drug combinations containing ombitasvir/ paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to potential for ALT elevations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .
7.4Interference with Laboratory Tests The use of contraceptive steroids may influence the results of certain laboratory tests, such as coagulation factors, lipids, glucose tolerance, and binding proteins.
👥 Use in Specific Populations ▾
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Nursing mothers: Not recommended; can decrease milk production (8.3)
8.1Pregnancy There is little or no increased risk of birth defects in women who inadvertently use COCs during early pregnancy. Epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses have not found an increased risk of genital or non-genital birth defects (including cardiac anomalies and limb reduction defects) following exposure to low dose COCs prior to conception or during early pregnancy. The administration of COCs to induce withdrawal bleeding should not be used as a test for pregnancy.
COCs should not be used during pregnancy to treat threatened or habitual abortion.
8.3Nursing Mothers When possible, advise the nursing mother to use other forms of contraception until she has weaned her child. COCs can reduce milk production in breastfeeding mothers. This is less likely to occur once breastfeeding is well-established; however, it can occur at any time in some women. Small amounts of oral contraceptive steroids and/or metabolites are present in breast milk.
8.4Pediatric Use Safety and efficacy of Melodetta 24 Fe have been established in women of reproductive age. Efficacy is expected to be the same in postpubertal adolescents under the age of 18 years as for users 18 years and older. Use of this product before menarche is not indicated.
8.5Geriatric Use Melodetta 24 Fe has not been studied in postmenopausal women and is not indicated in this population.
8.6Renal Impairment The pharmacokinetics of Melodetta 24 Fe has not been studied in subjects with renal impairment.
8.7Hepatic Impairment The pharmacokinetics of Melodetta 24 Fe has not been studied in subjects with hepatic impairment. However, steroid hormones may be poorly metabolized in patients with hepatic impairment. Acute or chronic disturbances of liver function may necessitate the discontinuation of COC use until markers of liver function return to normal and COC causation has been excluded [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] .
8.8Body Mass Index The safety and efficacy of Melodetta 24 Fe in women with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m 2 has not been evaluated [see Clinical Studies (14) ] .
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
8.1Pregnancy There is little or no increased risk of birth defects in women who inadvertently use COCs during early pregnancy. Epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses have not found an increased risk of genital or non-genital birth defects (including cardiac anomalies and limb reduction defects) following exposure to low dose COCs prior to conception or during early pregnancy. The administration of COCs to induce withdrawal bleeding should not be used as a test for pregnancy.
COCs should not be used during pregnancy to treat threatened or habitual abortion.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
8.4Pediatric Use Safety and efficacy of Melodetta 24 Fe have been established in women of reproductive age. Efficacy is expected to be the same in postpubertal adolescents under the age of 18 years as for users 18 years and older. Use of this product before menarche is not indicated.
🧓 Geriatric Use ▾
8.5Geriatric Use Melodetta 24 Fe has not been studied in postmenopausal women and is not indicated in this population.
🆘 Overdosage ▾
10 OVERDOSAGE There have been no reports of serious ill effects from overdose of oral contraceptives, including ingestion by children. Overdosage may cause withdrawal bleeding in females and nausea.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1Mechanism of Action COCs lower the risk of becoming pregnant primarily by suppressing ovulation. Other possible mechanisms may include cervical mucus changes that inhibit sperm penetration and endometrial changes that reduce the likelihood of implantation.
12.2Pharmacodynamics No specific pharmacodynamic studies were conducted with Melodetta 24 Fe.
12.3Pharmacokinetics Absorption In a single-dose, two-way, crossover clinical study conducted in 35 healthy, non-smoking premenopausal women under fasting condition, Melodetta 24 Fe tablet chewed and swallowed was bioequivalent to norethindrone acetate 1 mg/ethinyl estradiol 0.020 mg tablet (24-day regimen tablets) swallowed whole based on the exposure (AUC) and peak concentration (C max ) of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol. Norethindrone acetate appears to be completely and rapidly deacetylated to norethindrone after oral administration, because the disposition of norethindrone acetate is indistinguishable from that of orally administered norethindrone.
Norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol are absorbed from Melodetta 24 Fe tablets (chewed and swallowed), with maximum plasma concentrations of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol occurring at 1 hr (range: 0.7 to 2.5 hrs) and 1.3 hr (range: 1 to 2.5 hrs) post-dose, respectively. Both are subject to first-pass metabolism after oral dosing, resulting in an absolute bioavailability of approximately 64% for norethindrone and 43% for ethinyl estradiol. The plasma norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol pharmacokinetics following single-dose administrations of Melodetta 24 Fe tablets (chewed and swallowed) in 35 healthy female subjects are provided in Figures 2 and 3, and Table 1.
Following multiple-dose administration of norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol tablets (swallowed whole) in 17 healthy female subjects, mean maximum concentrations of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol were increased by 95% and 27%, respectively, as compared to single-dose administration. Mean norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol exposures (AUC values) were increased by 164% and 51% respectively, as compared to single-dose administration of norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol tablets. Steady-state with respect to norethindrone was reached by Day 17 and steady-state with respect to ethinyl estradiol was reached by Day 13.
Mean SHBG concentrations were increased by 150% from baseline (57.5 nmol/L) to 144 nmol/L at steady-state. Figure 2. Mean (± Standard Deviation) Plasma Norethindrone Concentration-Time Profile Following Single-Dose Oral Administration of Melodetta 24 Fe Tablets (chewed and swallowed) to Healthy Female Volunteers under Fasting Conditions (n = 35) Figure 3.
Mean (± Standard Deviation) Plasma Ethinyl Estradiol Concentration-Time Profile Following Single-Dose Oral Administration of Melodetta 24 Fe Tablets (chewed and swallowed) to Healthy Female Volunteers under Fasting Conditions (n = 35) Table 1. Summary of Norethindrone (NE) and Ethinyl Estradiol (EE) Pharmacokinetics Following Single-Dose Oral Administration of Melodetta 24 Fe Tablets (chewed and swallowed) to Healthy Female Volunteers Under Fasting Conditions (n = 35) Analyte Arithmetic Mean a (% CV) by Pharmacokinetic Parameter C max (pg/mL) t max (hr) AUC (0 ± tldc) (pg/mL•h) AUC (0±inf) (pg/mL•h) t ½ (hr) NE 10200 (36) 1.03 (0.67 to 2.50) 48620 (40) 49250 (40)
8.58EE 84.7 (24) 1.33 (1 to 2.50) 677.5 (33) 741.6 (33)
9.68C max = Maximum plasma concentration t max = Time of C max AUC (0±tldc) = Area under plasma concentration versus time curve from 0 to tldc, the time of last determinable concentration AUC (0±inf) = Area under the plasma concentration versus time curve from time 0 to infinity t ½ = Terminal phase half-life % CV = Coefficient of Variation (%) a The harmonic mean (0.693/mean terminal phase rate constant) is reported for t ½ , and the median (range) is reported for t max Food Effect Melodetta 24 Fe tablets may be administered without re…
🧬 Mechanism of Action ▾
12.1Mechanism of Action COCs lower the risk of becoming pregnant primarily by suppressing ovulation. Other possible mechanisms may include cervical mucus changes that inhibit sperm penetration and endometrial changes that reduce the likelihood of implantation.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING
16.1How Supplied Melodetta™ 24 Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP, 1 mg/20 mcg and ferrous fumarate tablets, 75 mg) is available in blister cards (dispensers) containing 28 tablets (NDC 69238-1031-6): Cartons of 3 blister cards (dispensers) NDC 69238-1031-7 Each blister card contains 28 tablets in the following order: 24 white to off-white, round, uncoated, unscored, flat-faced beveled edge (active) tablets debossed with “AN” on one side and “30” on the other side, and each containing 1 mg norethindrone acetate, USP and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol, USP.
4 brown, round, uncoated, unscored, flat-faced, beveled edge (non-hormonal placebo) tablets debossed with “AN” on one side and “364” on the other side, and each containing 75 mg ferrous fumarate. The ferrous fumarate tablets do not serve any therapeutic purpose.
16.2Storage Conditions Store at 20° to 25° C (68° to 77° F); excursions permitted between 15° to 30° C (59° to 86° F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Keep this drug and all drugs out of the reach of children.
16.1How Supplied Melodetta™ 24 Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP, 1 mg/20 mcg and ferrous fumarate tablets, 75 mg) is available in blister cards (dispensers) containing 28 tablets (NDC 69238-1031-6): Cartons of 3 blister cards (dispensers) NDC 69238-1031-7 Each blister card contains 28 tablets in the following order: 24 white to off-white, round, uncoated, unscored, flat-faced beveled edge (active) tablets debossed with “AN” on one side and “30” on the other side, and each containing 1 mg norethindrone acetate, USP and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol, USP.
4 brown, round, uncoated, unscored, flat-faced, beveled edge (non-hormonal placebo) tablets debossed with “AN” on one side and “364” on the other side, and each containing 75 mg ferrous fumarate. The ferrous fumarate tablets do not serve any therapeutic purpose.
📦 Storage and Handling ▾
16.2Storage Conditions Store at 20° to 25° C (68° to 77° F); excursions permitted between 15° to 30° C (59° to 86° F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Keep this drug and all drugs out of the reach of children.
📋 Description ▾
11 DESCRIPTION Melodetta™ 24 Fe provides an oral contraceptive regimen consisting of 24 white active chewable tablets that contain the active ingredients, followed by 4 brown non-hormonal placebo tablets as specified below: 24 white, round tablets each containing 1 mg norethindrone acetate, USP and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol, USP. 4 brown, round tablets each containing 75 mg ferrous fumarate. Each white active chewable tablet also contains the following inactive ingredients: acacia, confectioner’s sugar, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and talc.
Each brown placebo tablet contains ferrous fumarate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, spearmint flavor and sucralose. The ferrous fumarate tablets do not serve any therapeutic purpose. The empirical formula of ethinyl estradiol, USP is C 20 H 24 O 2 and the structural formula is: The chemical name of ethinyl estradiol, USP is [19-Norpregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-20-yne-3,17-diol, (17α)-].
The molecular weight of ethinyl estradiol, USP is 296.40. The empirical formula of norethindrone acetate, USP is C 22 H 28 O 3 and the structural formula is: The chemical name of norethindrone acetate, USP is [19-Norpregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one, 17-(acetyloxy)-, (17α)-]. The molecular weight of norethindrone acetate, USP is 340.46. chem structure chem structure 2
💬 Information for Patients ▾
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION See FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information) Counsel patients on the following information: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from COC use, and women who are over 35 years old and smoke should not use COCs. Melodetta 24 Fe does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections. The Warnings and Precautions associated with COCs.
Melodetta 24 Fe is not to be used during pregnancy; if pregnancy occurs during use of Melodetta 24 Fe, instruct the patient to stop further intake. Take one tablet daily by mouth at the same time every day. Instruct patients what to do in the event tablets are missed.
See “ What to Do if You Miss Tablets ” section in FDA-approved patient labeling . Use a back-up or alternative method of contraception when enzyme inducers are used with Melodetta 24 Fe. COCs may reduce breast milk production.
This is less likely to occur if breastfeeding is well established. Women who start COCs postpartum, and who have not yet had a period, should use an additional method of contraception until they have taken a white tablet for 7 consecutive days. Amenorrhea may occur.
Rule out pregnancy in the event of amenorrhea in two or more consecutive cycles. Distributed by: Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Rev. 06-2023-07