Oriahnn (elagolix sodium/estradiol/norethindrone acetate)

Estrogens Oral Capsule, Sequential

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Elagolix sodium, estradiol, and norethindrone acetate (elagolix/estradiol/norethindrone) is a combination of elagolix (a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist), estradiol (an estrogen), and norethindrone acetate (a progestin).

Estradiol (a principal endogenous estrogen) is a steroidal estrogen.

Norethindrone acetate is a synthetic progestin.

Elagolix/estradiol/norethindrone is a combination preparation containing 2 copackaged capsules: 1 fixed combination capsule containing elagolix (a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist), estradiol (an estrogen), and norethindrone acetate (a progestin) and 1 capsule containing elagolix.

Elagolix is a non-peptide, dose-dependent GnRH receptor antagonist. The drug competitively binds to pituitary GnRH receptors, decreasing the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which thereby reduces circulating concentrations of estradiol and progesterone. Reduction of serum estrogen and progesterone concentrations results in decreased bleeding associated with uterine fibroids.

Estradiol is an estrogen that binds to receptors in estrogen-responsive tissues; norethindrone is a progestin that binds to receptors in progesterone-responsive tissues. Estradiol and norethindrone are included in the fixed combination of elagolix/estradiol/norethindrone as hormonal "add-back therapy" to offset the adverse effects associated with elagolix and estradiol, respectively. Estradiol may reduce bone resorption and bone loss associated with the hypoestrogenic effects of elagolix.

Norethindrone may protect the uterus from potential adverse endometrial effects of unopposed estrogen.

Peak concentrations of elagolix, estradiol, and norethindrone are reached 1.5, 2, and 1 hours, respectively, after administration of a single dose of the fixed combination. When administered with a high-fat, high-calorie meal, peak plasma concentrations of elagolix, estradiol, and norethindrone were decreased by 36%, 23%, and 50%, respectively. Elagolix is 80% bound to plasma proteins; approximately 98% and 97% of estradiol and norethindrone are bound to plasma proteins, respectively.

After a single dose of the fixed combination drug under fasting conditions, the terminal half-lives of elagolix, estradiol, and norethindrone are 5.9, 14.5, and 9.2 hours, respectively. Elagolix is primarily metabolized by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A, and, to a lesser extent, CYP2D6, CYP2C8, and uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases; the drug is mainly eliminated in the feces, with <3% eliminated in the urine. Estradiol and norethindrone primarily undergo hepatic metabolism, and, to a lesser extent, sulfation and glucuronidation.

Race, body weight, renal impairment, and mild hepatic impairment do not have clinically important effects on the pharmacokinetics of elagolix. The effect of race, body weight, and renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of estradiol and norethindrone is not known.

Norethindrone acetate is used for the treatment of secondary amenorrhea and for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding caused by hormonal imbalance in patients without underlying organic pathology such as fibroids or uterine cancer. The drug also is used for the treatment of endometriosis.

Generic name: elagolix sodium/estradiol/norethindrone acetate
Pronunciation: (EL-a-GOE-lix/ES-tra-DYE-ol/nor-ETH-in-drone and EL-a-GOE-lix)
Drug class: Estrogens
Therapeutic class: Endocrine

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Oriahnn:

  • Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Associated With Uterine Leiomyoma

Also known as: Fibroid-Related Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.

Dosing

Elagolix/estradiol/norethindrone is available as a combination preparation containing 2 capsules: 1 fixed combination capsule containing elagolix 300 mg, estradiol 1 mg, and norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg to be administered in the morning and 1 capsule containing elagolix 300 mg to be administered in the evening.

Dosage of elagolix sodium is expressed in terms of elagolix.

Dosage of norethindrone is expressed in terms of norethindrone acetate.

Dosage of estradiol, estradiol acetate, estradiol cypionate, estradiol valerate, and ethinyl estradiol must be individualized according to the condition being treated and the tolerance and therapeutic response of the patient. To minimize the risk of adverse effects, the lowest possible effective dosage should be used. When short-term estrogen therapy is indicated (e.g., for the management of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause; vulvar and vaginal atrophy), therapy should be discontinued as soon as possible; attempts to reduce dosage or discontinue the drug should be made at 3- to 6-month intervals. Because of the potential increased risk of cardiovascular events, breast cancer, and venous thromboembolic events, estrogen and estrogen/progestin therapy should be limited to the lowest effective doses and shortest duration of therapy consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman. Estrogen and estrogen/progestin therapy should be periodically reevaluated.

Estrogen therapy is administered continuously or cyclically. While estrogen therapy alone may be appropriate in women who have undergone a hysterectomy, many clinicians currently recommend that a progestin be added to estrogen therapy in women with an intact uterus. Addition of progestin therapy for 10 or more days of a cycle of estrogen administration or daily with estrogen in a continuous regimen reduces the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia and the attendant risk of endometrial carcinoma in women with an intact uterus. Morphologic and biochemical studies of the endometrium suggest that 10-13 days of progestin are needed to provide maximum maturation of the endometrium and to eliminate any hyperplastic changes. The manufacturer of Menostar(R) recommends that women with an intact uterus receive a progestin for 14 days every 6-12 months. When a progestin is used in conjunction with an estrogen, the usual precautions associated with progestin therapy should be observed. Clinicians prescribing progestins should be aware of the risks associated with these drugs and the manufacturers' labeling should be consulted. The choice and dosage of a progestin may be important factors in minimizing adverse effects.

When long-acting parenteral preparations are used in the management of conditions associated with estrogen deficiency, the drugs are usually administered once every 3-4 weeks.

Drug interactions

Elagolix is a substrate of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 3A, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), and organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1. Elagolix is principally metabolized by CYP3A; CYP2D6, 2C8, and uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) also play a minor role.

Elagolix is a weak to moderate inducer of CYP3A and a weak inhibitor of CYP2C19.

Elagolix is an inhibitor of P-gp.

Estradiol and norethindrone are partially metabolized by CYP3A4.

Contraindications

*High risk of arterial, venous thrombotic, or thromboembolic disorders.

*Pregnancy.

*Known osteoporosis.

*Current or history of breast cancer or other hormonally-sensitive malignancies, and with increased risk for hormonally-sensitive malignancies.

*Known hepatic impairment or disease.

*Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding.

*Known hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, or angioedema to ingredients of elagolix/estradiol/norethindrone.

*Use of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP)1B1 inhibitors that are known or expected to significantly increase elagolix plasma concentrations.

Adverse reactions

The most common adverse reactions (incidence >5%) reported with elagolix/estradiol/norethindrone in clinical trials were hot flushes, headache, fatigue, and metrorrhagia.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine leiomyoma
D25ICD10CMLeiomyoma of uterus
D25.0ICD10CMSubmucous leiomyoma of uterus
D25.1ICD10CMIntramural leiomyoma of uterus
D25.2ICD10CMSubserosal leiomyoma of uterus
D25.9ICD10CMLeiomyoma of uterus, unspecified

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data