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MIRENA (Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System) - Potential Risk of Uterine Perforation - For Health Professionals
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Version - 266 K)Contact: Marketed Health Products Directorate
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This is duplicated text of a letter from Bayer Inc.
Contact the company for a copy of any references, attachments or enclosures.
Health Canada Endorsed Important Safety Information on MIRENA
June 15, 2010
Dear Health Care Professional,
Subject: Association of MIRENA® (Levonorgestrel-releasing Intrauterine System) with the potential risk of uterine perforation
Bayer Inc., in collaboration with Health Canada, would like to remind you of important safety information regarding reports of uterine perforation in women treated with MIRENA®. MIRENA® is approved for conception control up to a maximum of 5 years and for treatment of idiopathic menorrhagia following appropriate diagnostic investigation in women accepting the contraceptive effect of MIRENA®.
Uterine perforation is a rare, but serious complication associated with intrauterine contraceptive devices, and occurs at a rate between 1/1,000 and 1/10,000 insertions. Bayer Inc. continues to receive post-market reports of uterine perforation associated with the use of MIRENA®. Some cases of uterine perforation were not detected during or immediately after the insertion. The risk of perforation may be increased with use in the post-partum period, during lactation, and in women with an atypical uterine anatomy (such as fixed retroverted uterus). Uterine perforation may occur with MIRENA® at the time of insertion or after the insertion with limited clinical symptoms. In order to minimize the risk of complications associated with the use of MIRENA®, Health Care Professionals are encouraged to:
- Ensure they are familiar with and/or trained on the correct insertion technique for MIRENA®, and carefully review the insertion instructions included in the labelling.
- Consider performing ultrasound or X-ray imaging in case of a difficult insertion, if patients complain of pain, or if there is suspicion that the system may not be correctly positioned.
- Follow up patients 4 to 12 weeks after insertion, and once a year thereafter or more frequently, as required.
- Inform patients before the procedure about the risk of uterine perforation, especially in the post-partum period and during lactation, and educate them on possible signs of this complication, including, but not limited to: severe low abdominal pain, which may be associated with bleeding after the procedure. Advise the patient how to self-check the removal threads of MIRENA®.
The reporting rate of uterine perforation with MIRENA® has remained stable in Canada since 2001, however the absolute number of incident reports has increased in accordance with the increased use. Bayer continues to emphasize the importance of training healthcare professionals on the correct insertion technique for MIRENA®, and of patient follow-up.
Bayer Inc., in collaboration with Health Canada, issued a letter to patients informing them of this important safety information. A copy of that letter is available on the Health Canada web site.
For additional information on educational material for healthcare
professionals and patients, please refer to the 
Bayer
website. The current Canadian Product Monograph (May 11, 2010) includes this safety information as well as guidance to prevent uterine
perforation.
Managing marketed health product-related adverse reactions depends on health care professionals and consumers reporting them. Reporting rates determined on the basis of spontaneously reported post-marketing adverse reactions are generally presumed to underestimate the risks associated with health product treatments. Any case of uterine perforation or other serious or unexpected adverse reactions in patients receiving MIRENA® should be reported to Bayer Inc. or Health Canada at the following addresses:
77 Belfield Road
Toronto, Ontario,
M9W 1G6
Toll-free telephone: 1-800-265-7382;
Email to: Canada.medinfo@bayer.com
Any suspected adverse reaction can also be reported to:
Canada Vigilance Program
Marketed Health Products Directorate
HEALTH CANADA
Address Locator: 0701E
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9
Telephone: 613-957-0337 or Fax: 613-957-0335
CanadaVigilance@hc-sc.gc.ca
To report an Adverse Reaction, consumers and health professionals may call toll free:
Telephone: 1-866-234-2345
Fax: 1-866-678-6789
Postage paid labels, the Canada Vigilance Reporting Forms and the
Adverse Reaction Reporting Guidelines can be found on the MedEffectTM Canada Web site in the Adverse
Reaction Reporting section. The Reporting Form is also in the Canadian
Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties.
For other inquiries related to this communication, please
contact Health Canada at:
Marketed Health Products Directorate
E-mail: mhpd_dpsc@hc-sc.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-954-6522
Fax: 613-952-7738
To change your mailing address or fax number, contact the Market Authorization Holder (industry).
Sincerely,
original signed by
Shurjeel Choudhri, MD FRCPC
Senior Vice President & Head, Medical & Scientific Affairs
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals
Reference:
1. MIRENA Product Monograph, May 11, 2010.
