Endofit (Dienogest 2mg)

Endofit general information

What is Endofit used for?

Endofit tablets 2mg are used to treat endometriosis, a common inflammatory disease that affects many women in their reproductive years.  The endometrium is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus. During the menstrual cycle, the endometrium increases in thickness and vascularisation (more blood vessels) in preparation for a pregnancy; if this does not occur then the endometrium is shed (menstruation).  This cycle is controlled by the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.  Endometriosis is when endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, forming lesions, nodules and cysts usually in the pelvis including the ovaries, bladder and bowel; it can also form adhesions, which is internal scar tissue that causes internal organs to stick together.  External endometrial tissue is under the same hormonal control as the endometrial lining of the uterus, resulting in similar but usually extreme menstrual symptoms such as painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) and pain at other times including at ovulation.  Symptoms of endometriosis include mild to severe pelvic pain, lower back pain, bowel and bladder problems, abnormal menstrual bleeding, and infertility.  Endofit tablets 2mg help relieve the painful symptoms of endometriosis.

How does Endofit work?

Endofit tablets 2mg contain dienogest, a progestin or synthetic progestogen, which is a steroid hormone that has similar properties to the natural hormone progesterone.  Dienogest in Endofit tablets 2mg is a third generation progestin and a nortestosterone derivative with strong progestogenic activity and moderate anti-androgenic activity.  Dienogest in Endofit tablets 2mg binds to the progesterone receptor in endometrial tissue in all its locations, both in the uterus (eutopic endometrium) and outside the uterus (ectopic endometrium).  This action of dienogest in Endofit tablets 2mg reduces the endogenous production (natural production by the body) of oestrogen, inhibits ovulation and prevents the stimulation of proliferation of the endometrium, which occurs during a normal menstrual cycle and is controlled by oestrogen.  In a normal menstrual cycle, progesterone is responsible for transforming the endometrium from the proliferative stage to the secretory stage in preparation for pregnancy.  Dienogest in Endofit tablets 2mg simulates the effect of progesterone, and initially causes eutopic and ectopic endometrium to be shed and then shrink or atrophy.  Reducing the amount of endometrial tissue reduces the amount of endometriosis and relieves the painful symptoms of endometriosis, with no lasting effect on endogenous hormonal production, and the menstrual cycle returns to normal once treatment with Endofit tablets 2mg is stopped.

What does Endofit contain?

Endofit tablets 2mg contain the active ingredient dienogest, a progestin (synthetic progestogen), which is used to treat endometriosis.  

Treating endometriosis with Endofit

Endofit tablets 2mg contain dienogest, a synthetic progestogen, with properties similar to natural progesterone that is used to treat endometriosis, a common inflammatory disease affecting many women in their reproductive years.  The endometrium is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus and it undergoes cyclical changes throughout the menstrual cycle, regulated by the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.  Oestrogen causes the endometrium to increase in thickness and vascularisation (more blood vessels) in preparation for a pregnancy.  The secretory phase takes over from the proliferative phase, under the control of progesterone and if pregnancy does not occur, the endometrium is shed.  Endometriosis is when endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, forming lesions, nodules and cysts usually in the pelvis including the ovaries, bladder and bowel; it can also form adhesions, which is internal scar tissue that causes internal organs to stick together.  External endometrial tissue is under the same hormonal control as the endometrial lining of the uterus, resulting in similar but usually extreme menstrual symptoms such as painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) and pain relating to ovulation.  Symptoms of endometriosis include mild to severe pelvic pain, lower back pain, bowel and bladder problems, abnormal menstrual bleeding, and infertility.  Dienogest in Endofit tablets 2mg binds to the progesterone receptor in endometrial tissue in all its locations, both in the uterus (eutopic endometrium) and outside the uterus (ectopic endometrium), which reduces endogenous oestrogen production, inhibits ovulation and prevents proliferation of the endometrium, causing it to be shed and then shrink or atrophy.  Endofit tablets 2mg Reduces the amount of endometrial tissue and thereby, reduces the amount of endometriosis which helps relieve the painful symptoms of endometriosis.

What are the side effects of Endofit?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Endofit tablets 2mg include headache, breast discomfort, breast pain, weight increase, depressed mood, sleep disorder, nervousness, loss of libido, altered mood, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating, acne, hair loss, ovarian cyst, hot flushes, uterine/vaginal bleeding including spotting, weakness, irritability.

When should Endofit not be used?

You should not use Endofit tablets 2mg if you:

• are allergic to dienogest or any ingredients in Endofit
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver disease
• have cardiovascular disease including heart attack or stroke
• have venous thromboembolic disorder (blood clots)
• have diabetes
• have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
• hormonal dependent tumour such as oestrogen dependent breast cancer
• are taking medicines that interact with Endofit including antiepileptics like phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone, topiramate and felbamate, barbiturates, the antibiotic rifampicin for tuberculosis, ritonavir, nevirapine, efavirenz for HIV, the antifungal ketoconazole, the herbal remedy St. John’s wort

What medications interact with Endofit?

Several medications interact with Endofit tablets 2mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Endofit or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that affect Endofit: antiepileptics like phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone, topiramate and felbamate, barbiturates, the antibiotic rifampicin for tuberculosis, ritonavir, nevirapine, efavirenz for HIV, the antifungal ketoconazole, the herbal remedy St. John’s wort

How should Endofit be taken?

You should take your Endofit tablets 2mg, swallowed whole, with a glass of water, once daily with or without food and at the same time each day.  You can start taking your Endofit tablets 2mg on any day of the menstrual cycle and you should continue to take your Endofit tablets 2mg each day without a break for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may me for several months.

How long should you take Endofit?

You should continue to take your Endofit tablets 2mg each day without a break for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for several months.

Missed dose of Endofit

If you miss a dose of Endofit tablets 2mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Endofit be stored?

You should store your Endofit tablets 2mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.