The Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) makes available a Direct Healthcare Professional Communication concerning medicinal products containing desogestrel and etonogestrel, used as contraceptives, to inform healthcare professionals about the risk of meningioma and the corresponding risk minimization measures.

The communication highlights findings from recent epidemiological evidence showing a slight increase in the risk of meningioma associated with the current and prolonged use (≥1 year) of these medicinal products. Healthcare professionals are reminded of the need to monitor patients for signs and symptoms suggestive of meningioma, to avoid the use of these products in women with a current diagnosis or a history of meningioma, and to discontinue treatment if a meningioma is diagnosed.

The product information for these medicines will be updated to include meningioma as an adverse reaction.

Further details are available in the related document.

Healthcare professionals are also reminded of the importance of reporting suspected adverse reactions, as this is essential for the continuous monitoring of the safety of medicinal products and for the protection of public health.