Menopause drugs or endometriosis increase the risk of brain tumor
These drugs, progestins, expose to an over-risk of meningioma. The drug agency publishes recommendations for doctors and patients.
The results of the epidemiological study conducted by Epi-Phare, a structure formed by ANSM and health insurance, confirmed on June 8, the increase in the risk of meningioma for users of progestin-based drugs. Meningiomas are generally benign tumors that develop on the meninges, the envelopes surrounding the brain. A hundred cases of meningiomas would be attributable to these drugs each year.
The latter can take care of menopause , menstrual disorders or endometriosis . In February 2019 , the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) already warned of this possible over-risk of brain tumor.
Read also: Risk of meningiom: two new incriminated drugs
What are the drugs involved?
The ANSM alerts in particular on the Acetate of Nomestrol, present in Lotényl and its generics, as well as on the acetate of ChlormaDinone present in Lotéran and its generics.
People treated with nomigestrol acetate see their risk of meningioma multiplied by 3.3 after six months of treatment, then by 12.5 after five years of treatment. For Chlormadinone acetate, the risk is multiplied by 3.4 after six months and 7 after three and a half years.
In addition, the risk of meningioma leading to intracranial surgery is three times higher for people aged 35 to 44 than for those aged 25 to 34.
Limit the risk
After the presentation of the study results, experts from the scientific committee dedicated to macroprogestatives and the risk of meningioma issued recommendations for use and risk monitoring.
According to them, the therapeutic interest of these drugs justifies the maintenance of their marketing in France. However, healthcare professionals are invited to inform patients of risks, to reassess the relevance of treatment for each patient and to limit the duration of use of these progestins.
If a patient has meningioma or a history of meningioma, avoid substituting macroprogestatives between them. This concerns Nomestrol acetate, Chlormadinone acetate and cyproterone acetate . Finally, brain imaging (MRI) must be carried out in the event of symptoms evocative of a meningioma, and offered to women over 35 years of age in the event of treatment of more than five years.
What if you take these drugs?
If you are, or have been treated by these drugs and have symptoms evocative of a meningioma (frequent headache, vision, language or hearing disorders, dizziness, memory disorders, etc.), consult your doctor who will prescribe an MRI. If you do not have symptoms, the ANSM still invites you to consult your doctor to discuss your care.
If you are over 35 years old and have been treated by nomigestrol or chlormadinone acetate for over 5 years, your
doctor can also offer you to make an MRI.
Consultation will be organized in the fall to discuss these recommendations with health professionals and patients.
https://www.allodocteurs.fr/se-soigner/medicaments/des-medicaments-pour-la-menopause-ou-lendometriose-augmententen t-the-risk-of-tumeur-cerbrale_29468.html? fbclid = iWar2x_t5nkyhgau-28o9lhzuadad0rbb8nyxcrehmpvouqgka-wd4jgbfosq
Menopause drugs or endometriosis increase the risk of brain tumor
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