The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a warning regarding the use of certain contraceptives that contain desogestrel and etonogestrel. According to the EMA, these contraceptives carry a small increased risk of meningioma, a type of tumor that develops in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Details of the Warning
The EMA’s safety committee has recommended that women with a current or previous history of meningioma should not use hormonal contraceptives containing desogestrel or etonogestrel. These contraceptives are available in various forms, including oral tablets, implants, and vaginal rings.
The risk of developing meningioma increases with longer use of these contraceptives. Women who have previously taken other progestogens, such as cyproterone, nomegestrol, medroxyprogesterone, and chlormadinone, may also be at a higher risk.
However, it is essential to note that the overall likelihood of developing meningioma remains very low. The EMA estimates that there is approximately one additional case of meningioma for every 67,300 women using these medicines.
The EMA has advised healthcare providers to monitor patients taking these contraceptives for symptoms such as vision changes, hearing loss, worsening headaches, and seizures.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
