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Merzee Generic Name & Formulations
Legal Class
Rx
General Description
Norethindrone 1mg, ethinyl estradiol 20micrograms (24 soft gelatin caps); inert+ (4 soft gelatin caps); + contains ferrous fumarate 75mg.
Pharmacological Class
Progestin + estrogen.
How Supplied
Blister cards—1
Manufacturer
Generic Availability
NO
Merzee Indications
Indications
Oral contraception.
Merzee Dosage and Administration
Adult
1 cap daily for 28 days; repeat. Switching from other hormonal contraception: see full labeling.
Children
Premenarchal: not recommended.
Merzee Contraindications
Contraindications
High risk of arterial or venous thrombotic disease (eg, smokers or migraineurs over age 35, history of DVT or PE, cerebrovascular or coronary artery disease, thrombogenic valvular disease, atrial fibrillation, subacute bacterial endocarditis, hypercoagulopathies, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes with vascular disease, headaches with focal neurologic symptoms). Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding. Breast or other estrogen- or progestin-sensitive neoplasms. Hepatic disease or tumors. Pregnancy. Concomitant ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir.
Merzee Boxed Warnings
Boxed Warning
Cigarette smoking and serious cardiovascular events.
Merzee Warnings/Precautions
Warnings/Precautions
Increased risk of cardiovascular events esp. in cigarette smokers >35yrs of age. Discontinue if thrombotic event, unexplained visual changes, or jaundice occurs, and at least 4 weeks before through 2 weeks after surgery associated with increased risk of thromboembolism. Cardiovascular disease. Gallbladder disease. Pregnancy-related cholestasis. Diabetes. Prediabetes. Uncontrolled dyslipidemia. Hypertriglyceridemia. Depression. Hereditary angioedema. Evaluate significant changes in headaches, irregular uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, retinal vein thrombosis. Cholasma gravidarum. Monitor blood pressure. Do regular complete physical exams. BMI >35kg/m2: not evaluated. May need non-hormonal contraception with Sunday starts or postpartum use (see full labeling). Postmenopausal women, nursing mothers: not recommended.
Merzee Pharmacokinetics
See Literature
Merzee Interactions
Interactions
See Contraindications. ALT elevations with HCV regimen ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir; discontinue Merzee prior to starting HCV regimen and restart 2wks after completion. May be antagonized by CYP3A4 or other enzyme inducers (eg, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampicin, topiramate, St. John’s wort); use backup contraception. May be potentiated by atorvastatin, acetaminophen, ascorbic acid, or CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole). May be affected by HIV/HCV protease inhibitors or NNRTIs. May antagonize lamotrigine; adjust dose. May need dose adjustment of thyroid or cortisol hormones. May affect lab tests (eg, coagulation factors, lipids, glucose tolerance, binding proteins, sex hormone binding globulins).
Merzee Adverse Reactions
Adverse Reactions
Headache, vaginal candidiasis, nausea, menstrual cramps, breast tenderness, bacterial vaginitis, abnormal cervical smear, acne, mood swings, weight gain; breakthrough bleeding, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, cholasma, liver disease.
Merzee Clinical Trials
See Literature
Merzee Note
Not Applicable
Merzee Patient Counseling
See Literature
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