Nuvelle is Two-phase hormonal preparation containing oestradiol valerate and levonorgestrel tablets

Nuvelle is the alternative for those women objecting to conjugated oestrogens such a Prempak (obtained from horses).

This HRTs contain oestrodiol valerate a compund extracted from soya beans.

Nuvelle contains oestradiol valerate (the valeric acid ester of the endogenous female estrogen, oestradiol) and the synthetic progestogen, levonorgestrel. Oestradiol valerate provides hormone replacement during and after the climacteric. The addition of levonorgestrel in the second half of each course of tablets helps to provide good cycle control and opposes the development of endometrial hyperplasia.

Nuvelle eliminates the typical subjective complaints associated with oestrogen deficiency which frequently occur in the climacteric. These complaints include hot flushes, tendency towards outbreaks of sweating, sleep disturbances, depressive moods, irritability, headaches and dizziness. Nuvelle also has a favourable influence on the irritable bladder (a not infrequent occurrence in the climacteric), signs of cutaneous and mucosal involution (particularly in the genital region) which normally occur with advancing age, and during the osteoporotic process.

Most studies show that oral administration of oestradiol valerate to post-menopausal women increases serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and decreases low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Although epidemiological data are limited such alterations are recognised as potentially protective against the development of arterial disease. A possible attenuation of these effects may occur with the addition of a progestogen. However, at the doses used in Nuvelle, the 12 days of combined therapy with oestradiol valerate and levonorgestrel have not been observed to be associated with any unwanted lipid effects.

Nuvelle does not consistently inhibit ovulation and is therefore unsuitable for contraception.