FemSeven Conti not available

[ohnofootballagain]

Hi everyone,

I started on these patches a few weeks ago. However when I got them from the pharmacy I could only get 12 patches as there is a shortage, and the manufacturers are not releasing new batches until Jan/Feb next year.

So my GP said start anyway as there’s nothing else as good.

I have been loathe to take HRT as I thought I was through the menopause (no period for 18 months) but oh my goodness, having taken it I realise I was still being affected by symptoms that have now stopped. Eg mood swings, tears, anger, foggy thinking, feeling outside & looking in in life...........you all know the stuff.....

Anyway I realise I’m going to be left with just 1 spare patch and run out the week I am back from holiday which makes me nervous. Occasionally a patch comes off early and needs replacing. I am going back to the docs in 2 weeks to discuss an alternative before my hols.

Just wondered if anyone has had to stop this due to lack of supply and what alternatives have worked or them if this one was working good.

I thought I would leave it until the middle of January as when I spoke to Teva, they said they would start supplying them in January- phones a few pharmacies here in Torbay & nothing , also no help from the pharmacist just saying that have no idea- well thanks a bunch!!!

I've been unable to get them since last year and have tried a couple of different ones but they were no good for me. I don't mind the hot flushes, but it's the lack of sleep I now struggle with as theses really helped.

I agree, I can cope with the flushes, but it’s the joint & muscle pain, emotional & foggy brain that I can’t cope with, with the femseven, I actually felt like I had me back - so did my husband!

Hi,
I asked a friend who works in the pharmaceutical industry to look into the supply for me. She knows how upset I will be without these patches!! I cried for 6 months prior to using them. She receives regular trade information about medicine availability and the one she received yesterday has Femseven Conti 'Expected early 2019'. She is happy that the information (and company) are reliable. Fingers crossed!!!

Thankyou jarvis123 for sharing that, I am keeping everything crossed 🤞!

I spoke to Teva UK in August 2018 when I was first told of the issue with the FemSeven Conti patches. The lady was most helpful, told me that there was an “issue” with the adhesive & all manufacturing of this product was currently on hold. The lady told me that they did not expect to resume manufacturing of the patches until late 2019, November onwards.
Maybe things have changed but this is the information that I was given.
I’m hoping to eek out my current supply by wearing each patch for over the seven days. I find that my symptoms are still well controlled by making a patch last 10 days.
In addition I’m ultra careful about making sure I get each patch stuck on really well in order to avoid losing one!
My method to ensure the patch stays in place really well is:

1. Apply just before going to bed, after a shower.
2. Make sure your skin is totally oil free & dry.
3. Warm the patch slightly by putting it on a warm radiator, whilst still in its wrapper, for a couple of minutes.
4. Make sure your hands are totally clean, dry & oil free before opening the wrapper.
5. Apply patch as directed.
6. Lay down on your bed pressing the patch in place for a minimum of 5-7 minutes.
7. If you apply the patch to your buttock area lay on the side which has the patch on for as long as you can before you put off the lights & go to sleep.
8. If you think your patch is lifting use a hairdryer to warm it slightly whilst pressing down on the patch for 5 minutes.

Sounds a bit of a faff & time consuming but I’ve never lost a patch in 2 years so it’s worth the effort

After originally posting, the GP changed the prescription to Evorel Conti and I actually have been pleasantly surprised. I’ve had no side affects and because the patch is changed twice a week I don’t have the problem of the patch falling off.(jtorks - thanks for the tips) I do like baths and have a hot tub and the glue on Evorel lasts for this, unlike the Femseven.

It is interesting to hear people keeping the patches on longer and still being ok so I might try and see if I can do this.

Given other patches have better glue I really do wonder why they can’t sort this for the Femseven, assuming that’s the problem.

I had no idea about any of this until now. I was at my GP this morning to get a repeat prescription of FemSeven Sequi. GP said they were unavailable but didn't know why. I am shocked and angry these are the only thing that has worked for me. I've emailed theramex now asking whether production has started or if not when it will. If it really is the latter part of this year, that is pretty shocking.

I think we need to keep up the pressure on Theramex. They really have let women down and been quite disingenuous about the reasons for the supply problem. I am on another menopause forum about this, and feelings are running high. I’ve made an appointment with my GP to discuss alternatives as my latest supply (which I got online ...now unavailable everywhere) is running out. I tried Everol Conti once (not for long, admittedly) and had cramps and bleeding.

Agreed Rosenpants. After getting the generic response from Theramex last week, I have gone back to them asking for specific responses to my questions about the reason for the production / supply problem and whether and when they plan to resume.

Thanks for that Rosenpants - I wrote to A Director of Theramex UK several weeks ago & I have not even had a courtesy reply yet! Just about sums up their dismissive ‘couldn’t careless attitude ‘. If men were affected I bet you the media would be involved by now!
If only they would acknowledge what the production issue is & when it will be resolved is better than nothing -customer service is shameful.

Like you, Iam having the same problems with Evorel Conti& am now in my 6th week of continuous bleeding/cramps! FED UP.....

Commiserations Dizzygirl, atalanta and everyone.... Am currently following up supplies in US via a relative of mine, called Climara Pro (the patch, not the relative ) but has the same components as FemSeven Conti. I'm that desperate.......but will also discuss with the GP at my appointment. I think Theramex should know better than to upset an angry menopausal woman!

just phoned manufacturer... poor response. say its do to problem with supply of the adhesive, have now got to do trials of new adhesive before re-supply.
I said I wanted to lodge a formal complaint about it. the operator said she would "make a note".!!
I said that that was not enough and I would like to register a formal complaint at the time delay. I get the feeling it wont be escalated to influential departments perhaps if enough of us do this ...tell your friends!

I have been in contact with my Dsis ( an HCP) in the US who is investigating what is available there. She said, and I quote “ it’s quite terrible really....we aren’t discussing the elimination of a favourite shade of lipstick”.

Agreed. What does a formal complaint entail? Is there any legal weight to this?

Another view - if there is a problem with the adhesive not sticking - why can’t the manufacturer still produce the patches [faulty as they are], whilst they research a solution. It is negligence to cease all production as so many women are suffering.

Indeed...and mine generally stuck very well. Had a look at the website which is shiny and corporate, with little substance, looks more like a health spa advert....
Only generic emails on leadership team page. Speaks volumes. I guess we keep phoning and emailing.

I totally agree yatchs12, but, I’m not on Facebook, I have emailed, but absolutely no response 😡! I am trying cold turkey as no other patch or tablet has helped me!!

I’ve found them on Facebook and may well add a post. Many of us have already contacted the company and received the same vague replies

( if they got a reply at all) as the one to the complaint on the Facebook page. Theramex seem highly resistant to providing clarity and information.

Hello found this thread as I have also been trying very hard to get my prescription of conti tablets sorted out. I started with their patches and was fine and then got a second prescription of the same last summer and they caused me my skin to react badly and kept falling off. So my doctor prescribed the tablets two weeks before christmas after I did 8 weeks 'hot' turkey. I was called by Boots mid this month and they confirmed they were delayed and would be with me by end of January. I dropped into Boots yesterday and the girl said, it is a problem with manufacturing. I suspect this is the line Boots have been fed, but quite frankly I am a full time working woman who is blessing the freezing weather at the moment and this is beginning to affect the way I do my job. I'm losing it in the office, and twice last week forgot to pick up my son. I am really finding it exhausting. Covers on and off all night, and under a summer duvet too with the window open if it is above 0c. Looking at the list of options the GP had on her screen last year, there is pretty much sweet FA on offer through the NHS. It is a complete disgrace that this wonder drug is not available. I've tried all the herbal stuff, the magnets, the works. The conti works, and for someone who hardly uses the doctor except when desperate I am really fed up. I hope this is resolved soon. So if this is a manufacturing issue - would be nice to know how this affects our sisters in the rest of Europe? Are they not getting hold of HRT? Love to know. Rant over. Rebs

Hello - I live in France and was told by all the pharmacies that the product was due back in January. As I became tired of asking I contacted the company last week and got the following ''vague' answer' in a letter - this is the translation.

''The product is not available due to a problem of availability of the material which is used for the adhesive. This is a temporary problem and we expect the stock to return to normal soon but we can't currently provide a date when that will be.''

I agree with everyone in the thread that its very frustrating and very hard to find answers - neither from medical professionals or pharmacies. I went as you say cold turnkey for around 8 weeks - and suffered with teenage ache and almost no sleep (all that duvet on and off) that I went for the gel and pill - 10 days ago. I much preferred the patch and once I had mastered how to put it on never found it coming off. If I hear anything - and I will write to them every week now I'll share the news.

I totally nailed the adhesive, u warmed it in my hands for a few minutes & then my husband put the patch on & held it there for another minute! Stayed perfectly thru showering & occasional swimming!! Seems just excuses but no answers btw!! ‘Lorraine’ on gmb seems to be incredibly happy with her patches what is she on???!!!

Thank you FunandSunshine for your response from the other side of the channel.. I am thinking with my sudden reaction to it last year that they may have messed up the adhesive, and with everyone swapping killed the supply chain for all the other stuff (for me the tablets). What a mess for 2019.