Kliovance (Estradiol (As Hemihydrate) And Norethisterone Acetate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Kliovance Used For?
Kliovance is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that combines two active ingredients: estradiol (an estrogen) and norethisterone acetate (a progestogen). It’s designed to help women manage the changes that occur during and after menopause.
Primary Uses
Kliovance is used to help relieve symptoms of menopause and to help prevent the loss of bone density (fragile bones) following menopause.
How It Works
The estradiol component replaces the estrogen that your body stops producing after menopause, while norethisterone acetate (a progestogen) helps protect the lining of your uterus from the effects of estrogen alone.
Important: Kliovance is not a contraceptive. If it’s less than 12 months since your last menstrual period or you are under 50 years old, you may still need additional contraception to prevent pregnancy.
How to Take Kliovance
Kliovance comes in a convenient 28-day calendar dial pack that helps you keep track of your daily dose. It’s important to take it consistently at the same time each day.
Dosage Instructions
Take one tablet once a day, at about the same time each day. Once you finish all 28 tablets in a pack, start a new pack immediately without interruption. Your doctor will tell you when to start taking the tablets – treatment usually begins a year after your periods stop.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it has been longer than 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. Throw away the tablet you missed. You may experience vaginal bleeding or spotting if you forget to take your tablets.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. This could be harmful.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Breast tenderness, pain or enlargement
- Irregular periods or excessive bleeding
- Period pain
- Vaginal thrush, inflammation or itching
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea, bloating, flatulence
- Depression
- Changes in libido
- Sleep problems
- Nervousness, anxiety
- Headache, migraine
- Dizziness
- Skin rash or itching
- Acne
- Hair growth changes, hair loss
- Leg cramps
- Back pain
- Weight changes
- Swelling due to fluid retention
- Visual disturbances
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Lump in breast or changes to breast appearance
- Chest pain spreading to arm or neck
- Unexplained migraine-type headaches with vision problems
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe pain or swelling in legs
- Sudden severe headache (if you haven’t had migraines before)
- Sudden eyesight problems
- Severe allergic reaction (skin rashes, shortness of breath, swelling of face/lips/tongue)
- Yellow coloring of skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Large rise in blood pressure
Important Warnings
Kliovance carries important risks that need to be carefully considered. Your doctor will discuss these with you before starting treatment and monitor you regularly while you’re taking it.
Who Should Not Take Kliovance
Do not use Kliovance if you have or have had breast cancer, endometrial cancer, or any other estrogen-dependent cancer; unexplained vaginal bleeding; untreated excessive thickening of the uterus lining; blood clots in veins or lungs; blood clotting disorders; heart attack, stroke or angina; liver disease with abnormal blood test results; a rare blood problem called porphyria; or if you’re allergic to any ingredients.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: premature menopause, fibroids, endometriosis, history of endometrial hyperplasia, increased blood clot risk, family history of breast cancer, high blood pressure, liver disorders, diabetes, gallstones, migraines, lupus, epilepsy, asthma, hearing problems, high triglycerides, low calcium, fluid retention, thyroid problems, hereditary angioedema, lactose intolerance, or any other medical conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Kliovance if you are pregnant, suspect you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Kliovance.
Cancer and Blood Clot Risks: HRT increases the risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. The risk increases with longer use and may persist after stopping treatment.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can affect how Kliovance works, and Kliovance can also affect other medications. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
- Sleep medicines including barbiturates
- Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine)
- Antibiotics and anti-infectives (rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, efavirenz, ritonavir, telaprevir, nelfinavir)
- Hepatitis C medicines (telaprevir)
- St John’s Wort
- Antihistamines
- Corticosteroids
- Imipramine
- Pethidine
- Cyclosporin
- Blood thinners
- Diabetes medicines
- Thyroid hormones
- Ketoconazole
Alcohol & Driving
While there are no specific restrictions mentioned for alcohol or driving with Kliovance, it’s important to be cautious and discuss these activities with your doctor.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. There is no specific information provided about alcohol interactions with Kliovance, but your doctor can advise you based on your individual situation.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Kliovance affects you. There is no specific information about driving restrictions, but some side effects like dizziness could affect your ability to drive safely.
Storage
Store Kliovance in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight, where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep the calendar pack in the outer carton to protect from light. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Do not refrigerate. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too many Kliovance tablets, seek medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may have irregular bleeding or spotting during the first 3-6 months of taking Kliovance as your body adjusts to the new hormone levels. Your doctor will monitor your progress during regular check-ups.
The medication information doesn’t specify whether to take Kliovance with or without food. Take it at about the same time each day as directed by your doctor.
Do not stop using Kliovance suddenly. If you need to stop treatment, your doctor will advise you on how to do this safely. You may need to stop several weeks before surgery to reduce blood clot risk.
Weight changes are listed as a possible side effect of Kliovance. If you experience significant weight changes that concern you, discuss this with your doctor.
Kliovance treatment should usually start a year after your periods stop. If you’re switching from another HRT, your doctor will advise when to make the change.
Once you start HRT, you should see your doctor for regular check-ups at least once a year. Your doctor may also recommend regular breast screening and pap smear tests.
Kliovance is not a contraceptive. If it’s less than 12 months since your last period or you’re under 50, you may still need additional contraception. Contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Kliovance.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.