What is Livial?

The name of your medicine is LIVIAL.
Each tablet contains 2.5 milligrams of the active ingredient tibolone.

They also contain potato starch, lactose, ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium stearate.

Livial tablets are white and are marked on one side with Organon and a star, and on the other side with “MK2".

Packs contain 1 or 3 strips of 28 tablets. (Packs of 30 tablets are not sold in the UK or Ireland).

Livial is one of a group of medicines called Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

The Product Licence is held by:

Organon Laboratories Ltd. Science Park, Cambridge, CB4 4FL.

Livial is made by

NV Organon, Oss, The Netherlands.	What is Livial used for ?

Livial can relieve symptoms of the
menopause (the change of life).

Before you take the
Tablets

•	Do you think you may be pregnant?
•	Are you breast feeding?
•	Have you had heart disease?
•	Have you had a thrombosis (a blood clot)?
•	Have you had unexplained vaginal bleeding?
•	Have you had tumours of the breast or other sex organs?
•	Have you had liver disease?

If the answer to any of these questions is
YES:

•	Did you tell your doctor at the last visit or an earlier visit ?
•	If you did NOT then you should do so as soon as possible and before taking these tablets.

Even so, your doctor may still want you to
take it.	What do I need to know before taking my medicine?

Livial should not be taken by women until 12 months after their last natural menstrual bleed. If you take Livial sooner than this, you may suffer from irregular menstrual bleeding.

When taken 12 months after the last natural period, most women find that Livial does not cause a monthly period.

If you are changing from another HRT, your doctor may ask you to take progestogen tablets for 10-12 days to cause a period.

If you do have regular or long periods tell your doctor.

While you are taking Livial, regular check-ups by a doctor are recommended.

Extra supervision by your doctor may be necessary in some cases.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had: 
-	kidney disease;
-	epilepsy;
-	migraine headaches
-	too much cholesterol or other Fatty substances in the blood;
-	diabetes.

Your doctor may decide that you should stop taking Livial if you have a liver problem, jaundice or a thrombosis.	

What other medicines are you taking?

Other medicines may affect how Livial works or it may affect how they work.
Tell your doctor if you are taking (or intend to take) other medicines such as:
-	medicines for thrombosis e.g. warfarin
-	insulin or other drugs for diabetes
-	drugs such as barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine and rifampicin.

What about allergies to the tablets?

The tablets contain lactose.

How Do I Take Livial?

It is important to take this medicine only as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

The recommended dose is one tablet every day.

Take your tablet at the same time each day.

Take a tablet marked with the corresponding day of the week. For example, if it is Wednesday, take the tablet marked Wednesday on the upper row of the pack. Follow the direction of the arrows and continue taking one tablet each day until the pack is empty.

You may start to feel better after a few weeks, but Livial may take up to 3 months to work fully.	How to take the tablets.

Swallow the tablets with some water or other drink. Do not chew the tablets.

What to do if Livial Tablets are swallowed accidentally.

If someone has swallowed some tablets by accident, there is no need to worry.
However, you should consult a doctor. The person may feel sick or be sick.

What if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a tablet, take it as soon as you remember, unless you are more than 12 hours late.
If you are more than 12 hours late just skip the missed tablet.	What about side-effects?

Livial sometimes causes side-effects in some people.

•	These usually settle down during treatment as the body adjusts to the medicine.
	
•	If you have any of these side effects, tell your doctor. He may decide to stop your treatment for a while.

You may notice a difference in your weight, skin troubles such as spots, rash, itching or a little facial hair growth. You may feel sick or have stomach ache.
If these side-effects become annoying tell your doctor.

If you notice more serious side-effects such as headaches, dizziness, disturbed vision migraine, swelling of your ankles, or unusual vaginal bleeding, tell your doctor at once.

Tell your doctor about any problems that you think might be caused by the tablets.

How should you store this medicine?

Do not use this medicine after the “use by” date on the pack.

Keep the tablets dry, between 2-25°C, (room temperature), out of the light.

Keep the tablets in the original box where children cannot see or reach them.

This information was written in September 1995	MORE about LIVIAL

At the menopause (or after removal of the ovaries) the body stops producing the female hormone, oestrogen. There can also be other medical reasons for low oestrogen levels. The shortage of oestrogen causes complaints such as hot flushes and night sweats. Some women feel depressed and lose their sex drive. Livial can relieve these complaints.

THINGS TO REMEMBER
ABOUT MEDICINES

1.	This medicine has been prescribed for your current medical problems. Do not take it for other medical problems.
	
2.	Do not allow other people to take your medicines and do not take medicines meant for other people.
	
3.	Tell any doctor treating you what medicines you are taking. Always carry a medical information card stating which medicines you are taking. This can also be very important in case you are involved in an accident.
	
4.	Return unused medicines to the pharmacy for disposal.
	
5.	Make sure that other people you may live with or who look after you read this information.