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4 clusters · 8 sources · 36 days · First seen · Last updated

Desogestrel contraceptive brain tumor risk

Overview

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and various national health authorities have issued warnings regarding a rare association between meningioma—a type of brain tumor—and the long-term use of hormonal contraceptives containing desogestrel or etonogestrel. The EMA estimates approximately one additional case per 67,300 long-term users.

In Serbia, the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (ALIMS) has issued its own warning, identifying Novynette as the only registered medication in the country containing desogestrel. Serbian authorities noted that the risk may be higher for women who have previously used other progestogens linked to meningiomas, such as cyproterone or medroxyprogesterone. Consequently, these drugs are contraindicated for women with a history of meningioma, and use must be discontinued immediately upon diagnosis.

Medical professionals are advised to encourage patients to monitor for symptoms including frequent headaches, vision changes, hearing issues, or memory difficulties. Research indicates that while the risk increases with the duration of use—particularly after seven years—the elevated risk does not appear to persist one year after discontinuing desogestrel.

In Croatia, the Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (HALMED) continues to note that desogestrel-containing medications like Novynette remain approved. Separately, concerns persist regarding the environmental accumulation of the synthetic estrogen ethinyl estradiol in surface waters, which poses ecological risks such as the feminization of male fish.

Entities

Novynette · Richter Gedeon Nyrt · Agencija za lekove i medicinska sredstva · HALMED · Gedeon Richter

Timeline

  1. 14 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Health agencies warn of brain tumor risk from certain contraceptives

    Health agencies warn that long-term use (over one year) of contraceptives containing desogestrel or etonogestrel is linked to a slightly increased risk of meningioma, a type of brain tumor.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Hormonal contraceptives linked to increased risk of rare brain tumors

    Health agencies warn of a very low but increased risk of meningioma linked to long-term use of hormonal contraceptives containing desogestrel or etonogestrel.

  3. about 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Desogestrel contraceptive linked to slight rise in brain tumor risk

    Long‑term use (over five years) of desogestrel‑based birth control pills shows a slight increase in brain tumour cases, prompting French regulators to advise vigilant health monitoring.

  4. about 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    EMA Issues New Safety Warnings for Desogestrel and Etonogestrel Contraceptives

    EMA added precautionary warnings for desogestrel and etonogestrel contraceptives over a rare meningioma risk, while experts raise concerns about ethinyl estradiol residues in waterways affecting wildlife.

Sources

blikkruzs.blikk.hu · bosnainfo.ba · divany.hu · klikaj.hr · mondo.rs · narod.hr · novilist.hr · zadarskilist.hr

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history