Hormonal drug "Angelik" at menopause: how to take

During the perimenopausal period (menopause), many women experience a decrease in the level of sex hormones, which leads to a number of negative changes in various systems and organs. For example, in the reproductive system, there is a decrease in sexual desire in women. In the genitourinary system, there is a dystrophy of the mucous membranes, as a result of which women feel dryness in the vagina, causing itching. During sexual intercourse, women experience pain and a feeling of discomfort. Incontinence of urine is often observed in the urinary system. A decrease in the amount of sex hormones leads to disturbances in the nervous system, which are manifested by severe irritability, depression, and sleep disturbances. Collagen production in the skin decreases, as a result of which deep wrinkles appear on the face. In addition, the symptoms of the perimenopausal period are manifested by hyperhidrosis, pain in the heart area, and bone tissue dystrophy (development of osteoporosis). All these symptoms can be combated with the help of drugs intended for hormone replacement therapy. We invite you to familiarize yourself with one of these drugs – the medicinal product Angelique, which is often used during menopause.

Angelique is a two-component combination drug, which contains two components: the first is estradiol, the second is drospirenone. This drug also contains iron, magnesium and titanium.

Release form

Film-coated tablets containing estradiol - 1 mg, as well as drospirenone - 2 mg.

The cardboard pack contains a blister with 28 tablets or 3 blisters, each containing 28 tablets.

Pharmacodynamics

Estradiol, which is part of Angelica, is similar in its chemical structure and bioproperties to endogenous (produced by the body) human estradiol, the second component - drospirenone, derived from spironolactone, has progestin, antigonadotropic, contraceptive and anti-edematous (antimineralocorticoid) properties.

Estradiol compensates for the amount of estrogens in the female body and relieves climacteric symptoms of the perimenopausal period, namely: dry mucous membranes in the genitals, hot flashes, hyperhidrosis, etc. The effect of estradiol on the body is especially important for preventing bone tissue dystrophy and preventing bone fractures.

Drospirenone promotes increased excretion of water and sodium. As a result, the occurrence of edema in the body, increased blood pressure are prevented, it helps prevent weight gain, reduces painful sensations in the mammary glands, and also prevents the growth of the inner layer of the uterus (endometrium) and minimizes the risk of developing rectal cancer in the postmenopausal period. Angelica's ability to influence the reduction of cholesterol in the body is also noted.

Pharmacokinetics

The active hormonal substance estradiol, when taken orally, is absorbed within a short period of time and then absorbed in full. During this process and when entering the liver, the hormone estradiol undergoes a metabolic process, it enters into a compound with albumin, as well as with globulin, forming a bond with anabolics. Metabolism of this substance occurs to a greater extent in the liver, as well as in the kidneys and various parts of the intestine, in the muscles, in target organs and forms other less active active substances, such as estriol, estrone and others. An increase in the content of estradiol in the blood can be achieved with repeated administration of the dose.

The substance drospirenone is also quickly absorbed. After 1 hour following the administration of the dose, the maximum concentration of the substance in the blood serum is observed. Drospirenone forms a bond with albumin, but does not bind to globulin. The main anthroles (metabolites) in the blood serum are the acidic form of the hormonal substance drospirenone and 4,5-dihydro-drospirenone-3-sulfate. Both anthroles are formed without the influence of cytochrome. The depth of drospirenone contained in the serum is 1.2 - 1.5 ml / min / kg. Part of this dose can be excreted unchanged. The overwhelming majority of it will be excreted through the kidneys and intestines. Equilibrium saturation occurs after 10 days with continuous correct intake of the drug.

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Dosing and administration

The method of using Angelique and the doses are determined by the attending physician. As a rule, if the patient has not used estrogens, and also if she has switched to permanent use of Angelique after taking another combination drug, then treatment can be started on any day. Women who have used cyclic hormone replacement therapy will have to start an individual course of treatment after the withdrawal bleeding has ended.

The contents of one package of Angelique are intended for 28 days of taking the drug. You need to take 1 tablet per day. After a 28-day course of treatment with the drug, you need to start a new package of Angelique the next day. Moreover, the first tablet from the package should be taken on the same day of the week on which the first tablet from the package preceding it was taken. It is recommended to use the drug at the same time of day every day. If the patient forgets to take a tablet, then it must be taken as soon as possible. If you miss a dose of the drug for a long time, vaginal bleeding from drug withdrawal will occur for several days.

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Contraindications

The use of Angelique is strictly contraindicated in the following circumstances and conditions:

• any types of vascular thrombosis and thromboembolism of any organs, varicose veins;
• increased levels of triglycerides in blood plasma;
• severe liver diseases and damage;
• any benign or malignant organ formations or suspicion of them;
• any period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• gynecological bleeding;
• acute and chronic kidney diseases and pathologies, as well as conditions after them;
• increased individual sensitivity of the body to the drug.

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Side effects Angelic for menopause

Side effects may occur during therapy with Angelique. Common side effects of the drug include breast tenderness, gynecological bleeding, and pain along the gastrointestinal tract. The most dangerous consequences of taking the drug are the development of thromboembolism and breast cancer. The following side effects can be identified:

• sharp changes in emotional state;
• headaches of varying intensity, including migraines;
• pain in various organs and parts of the gastrointestinal tract;
• formation of cervical polyps.

In isolated cases, the following were observed during therapy with the drug:

• liver tumors;
• dementia;
• endometrial neoplasms;
• increased blood pressure;
• increased concentration of triglycerides in the blood;
• changes in the body's glucose tolerance;
• proliferation of uterine fibroids;
• relapse of endometriosis;
• pituitary adenoma;
• hyperpigmentation of the skin on the face;
• mechanical jaundice, as well as associated itching of the skin and pituitary (mucous) membranes;
• the emergence and exacerbation of conditions such as bronchial asthma, Libman-Sachs disease (lupus), breast tumors.

Overdose

In case of a single overdose of the drug, no acute side effects were observed. A single high dose of estradiol and drospirenone was well tolerated.

Symptoms of an overdose of Angelique: from the gastrointestinal tract - nausea and vomiting are possible, from the reproductive system - vaginal bleeding. There is no antidote. Treatment of an overdose of Angelique is symptomatic.

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Interactions with other drugs

Before prescribing the drug Angelique, it is necessary to inform the doctor about what medications the patient is taking. When visiting other medical specialists, it is also necessary to warn them about taking the drug Angelique.

When used over a long period of time, certain drugs whose action can affect the production of liver enzymes (such as a number of anticonvulsants, as well as antimicrobial drugs). Such drugs can affect the increase in the level of female sex hormones in the blood, thereby reducing their effectiveness. Such properties are possessed by some of the anticonvulsants, barbiturates, primidone, carbamazepine and rifampicin, griseofulvin, topiramate, oscarbazepine, felbamate.

When taking certain types of antibiotics, most often tetracyclines and penicillins, a decrease in the amount of estradiol in the body has been noted.

When treating arterial hypertension, women using Angelique may experience an increase in the antihypertensive effect.

When taking Angelique, you must abstain from alcohol. This is because alcohol increases the level of estradiol in the blood.

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Storage conditions

The Angelique preparation should be stored in a place where it will be inaccessible to children; at a temperature of no more than +25°C.

Shelf life

The shelf life of Angelique is 5 years from the date of manufacture of the drug. It is strictly contraindicated to use after the expiration date indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.