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Estrogens and Progestins Oral Contraceptives  (Systemic)

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Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • Alesse3
  • Brevicon5
  • Cyclessa1
  • Demulen 1/352
  • Demulen 1/502
  • Desogen1
  • Estrostep4
  • Estrostep Fe4
  • Genora 0.5/355
  • Genora 1/355
  • Genora 1/506
  • Intercon 0.5/355
  • Intercon 1/355
  • Intercon 1/506
  • Jenest5
  • Levlen3
  • Levlite3
  • Levora 0.15/303
  • Loestrin 1/204
  • Loestrin Fe 1/204
  • Loestrin 1.5/304
  • Loestrin Fe 1.5/304
  • Lo/Ovral8
  • Mircette1
  • ModiCon5
  • Necon 0.5/355
  • Necon 1/355
  • Necon 1/506
  • Necon 10/115
  • N.E.E. 1/355
  • N.E.E. 1/505
  • Nelova 0.5/35E5
  • Nelova 1/35E5
  • Nelova 1/50M6
  • Nelova 10/115
  • Nordette3
  • Norethin 1/35E5
  • Norethin 1/50M6
  • Norinyl 1+355
  • Norinyl 1+505
  • Ortho-Cept1
  • Ortho-Cyclen7
  • Ortho-Novum 1/355
  • Ortho-Novum 1/506
  • Ortho-Novum 7/7/75
  • Ortho-Novum 10/115
  • Ortho Tri-Cyclen7
  • Ovcon-355
  • Ovcon-505
  • Ovral8
  • Tri-Levlen3
  • Tri-Norinyl5
  • Triphasil3
  • Trivora3
  • Zovia 1/35E2
  • Zovia 1/50E2

In Canada—

  • Brevicon 0.5/355
  • Brevicon 1/355
  • Cyclen7
  • Demulen 302
  • Demulen 502
  • Loestrin 1.5/304
  • Marvelon1
  • Minestrin 1/204
  • Min-Ovral3
  • Norinyl 1/505
  • Ortho 0.5/355
  • Ortho 1/355
  • Ortho 7/7/75
  • Ortho 10/115
  • Ortho-Cept1
  • Ortho-Novum 1/506
  • Ovral8
  • Select 1/355
  • Synphasic5
  • Tri-Cyclen7
  • Triphasil3
  • Triquilar3

Note:

For quick reference, the following estrogens and progestins are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.

Other commonly used names are: Ethinylestradiol[Ethinyl estradiol] Ethinyloestradiol [Ethinyl estradiol] Ethynodiol[Ethynodiol diacetate] Etynodiol[Ethynodiol diacetate] Etynodiol acetate[Ethynodiol diacetate] Norethindrone[Norethisterone]

This information applies to the following medicines
1.  Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol (des-oh-JES-trel and ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ole)
2.  Ethynodiol Diacetate and Ethinyl Estradiol (e-thye-noe-DYE-ole dye-AS-e-tate and ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ole)
3.  Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol (LEE-voh-nor-jes-trel and ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ole)
4.  Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol (nor-eth-IN-drone AS-e-tate and ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ole)
5.  Norethindrone and Ethinyl Estradiol (nor-eth-IN-drone and ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ole)
6.  Norethindrone and Mestranol (nor-eth-IN-drone and MES-tra-nole)
7.  Norgestimate and Ethinyl Estradiol (nor-JES-ti-mate and ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ole)
8.  Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol (nor-JES-trel and ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ole)
‡  Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§  Generic name product may be available in Canada
*  Not commercially available in the U.S.
†  Not commercially available in Canada

Category


Description

Oral contraceptives are known also as the Pill, OCs, BCs, BC tablets, or birth control pills. This medicine usually contains two types of hormones, estrogens (ES-troh-jenz ) and progestins ( proh-JES-tins) and, when taken properly, prevents pregnancy. It works by stopping a woman's egg from fully developing each month. The egg can no longer accept a sperm and fertilization is prevented. Although oral contraceptives have other effects that help prevent a pregnancy from occurring, this is the main action.

Sometimes a woman's egg can still develop even though the medication is taken once each day, especially when more than 24 hours pass between two doses. In almost all cases when the medicine was taken properly and an egg develops, fertilization can still be stopped by oral contraceptives. This is because oral contraceptives also thicken cervical mucus at the opening of the uterus. This makes it hard for the partner's sperm to reach the egg. In addition, oral contraceptives change the uterus lining just enough so that an egg will not stop in the uterus to develop. All of these effects make it difficult to become pregnant when properly taking an oral contraceptive.

No contraceptive method is 100 percent effective. Studies show that fewer than one of each one hundred women correctly using oral contraceptives becomes pregnant during the first year of use. Birth control methods such as having surgery to become sterile or not having sex are more effective. Using condoms, diaphragms, progestin-only oral contraceptives, or spermicides is not as effective as using oral contraceptives containing estrogens and progestins. Discuss with your health care professional your options for birth control.

The triphasic cycle product of norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol (the brand name Ortho Tri-Cyclen) and norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol (the brand name Estrostep ) can be used for the treatment of moderate acne only if the patient is at least 15 years old, has acne that has not improved with topical anti-acne medicines, has gotten approval from her doctor, has begun to have menstrual periods, desires an oral contraceptive for birth control, and plans to stay on it for at least 6 months.

Sometimes these preparations can be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Oral contraceptives are available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. If you are using oral contraceptives for contraception you should understand how their benefits and risks compare to those of other birth control methods. This is a decision you, your sexual partner, and your doctor will make. For oral contraceptives, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to estrogens or progestins. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Diet—Make certain your health care professional knows if you are on any special diet, such as a low-sodium or low-sugar diet.

Pregnancy—Oral contraceptives are not recommended for use during pregnancy and should be discontinued if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant. When oral contraceptives were accidently taken early in pregnancy, problems in the fetus did not occur. Women who are not breast-feeding may begin to take oral contraceptives two weeks after having a baby.

Breast-feeding—Oral contraceptives pass into the breast milk and can change the content or lower the amount of breast milk. Also, they may shorten a woman's ability to breast-feed by about 1 month, especially when the mother is only partially breast-feeding. Because the amount of hormones is so small in low-dose contraceptives, your doctor may allow you to begin using an oral contraceptive after you have been breast-feeding for a while. However, it may be necessary for you to use another method of birth control or to stop breast-feeding while taking oral contraceptives.

Teenagers—This medicine is frequently used for birth control in teenage females and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults. Some teenagers may need extra information on the importance of taking this medication exactly as prescribed.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking oral contraceptives, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of oral contraceptives. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This Medicine

To make using oral contraceptives as safe and reliable as possible, you should understand how and when to take them and what effects may be expected.

A paper with information for the patient will be given to you with your filled prescription, and will provide many details concerning the use of oral contraceptives. Read this paper carefully and ask your health care professional if you need additional information or explanation.

Take this medicine with food to help prevent nausea that might occur during the first few weeks. Nausea usually disappears with continued use or if the medicine is taken at bedtime.

When you begin to use oral contraceptives, your body will require at least 7 days to adjust before a pregnancy will be prevented. You will need to use an additional birth control method for at least 7 days. Some doctors recommend using an additional method of birth control for the first cycle (or 3 weeks) to ensure full protection. Follow the advice of your doctor or other health care professional.

Try to take the doses no more than 24 hours apart to reduce the possibility of side effects and to prevent pregnancy. Since one of the most important factors in the proper use of oral contraceptives is taking every dose exactly on schedule, you should never let your tablet supply run out. When possible, try to keep an extra month's supply of tablets on hand and replace it monthly.

It is very important that you keep the tablets in their original container and take the tablets in the same order that they appear in the container. The containers help you keep track of which tablets to take next. Different colored tablets in the same package contain different amounts of hormones or are placebos (tablets that do not contain hormones). The effectiveness of the medicine is reduced if the tablets are taken out of order.

If you are taking one of the brand name products Estrostep Fe or Loestrin Fe each of the last seven tablets that you will take on Days 21 through 28 of your cycle contains iron. These tablets are also a different color from the other tablets in your package. They help to replace some of the iron you lose when you have a menstrual period.

Dosing—

Your health care professional may begin your dose on the first day of your menstrual period (called Day-1 start) or on Sunday (called Sunday start). When you begin on a certain day it is important that you follow that schedule, even when you miss a dose . Do not change your schedule on your own. If the schedule that you have been put on is not convenient, check with your health care professional about changing schedules.

Missed dose—

Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label if you miss a dose of this medicine. The following information includes only some of the ways to handle missed doses. Your health care professional may want you to stop taking the medicine and use other birth control methods for the rest of the month until you have your menstrual period. Then your health care professional can tell you how to begin taking your medicine again.

For monophasic, biphasic, or triphasic cycles:

If you miss any of the last seven (inactive) tablets of a twenty-eight–day cycle, there is no danger of pregnancy. However, the first tablet (active) of the next month's cycle must be taken on the regularly scheduled day, in spite of any missed doses, if pregnancy is to be avoided. The active and inactive tablets are colored differently for your convenience.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine does not cause unwanted effects. These visits will usually be every 6 to 12 months, but some doctors require them more often.

Tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking this medicine before any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment. Your doctor will decide whether you should continue taking this medicine.

The following medicines may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. You should use an additional method of birth control during each cycle in which any of the following medicines are used:

Check with your doctor if you have any questions about this.

Vaginal bleeding of various amounts may occur between your regular menstrual periods during the first 3 months of use. This is sometimes called spotting when slight, or breakthrough bleeding when heavier. If this should occur:

Missed menstrual periods may occur:

Check with your doctor if you miss any menstrual periods so that the cause may be determined.

In some patients using estrogen-containing oral contraceptives, tenderness, swelling, or bleeding of the gums may occur. Brushing and flossing your teeth carefully and regularly and massaging your gums may help prevent this. See your dentist regularly to have your teeth cleaned. Check with your medical doctor or dentist if you have any questions about how to take care of your teeth and gums, or if you notice any tenderness, swelling, or bleeding of your gums. Also, it has been shown that estrogen-containing oral contraceptives may cause a healing problem called dry socket after a tooth has been removed. If you are going to have a tooth removed, tell your dentist or oral surgeon that you are taking oral contraceptives.

Some people who take oral contraceptives may become more sensitive to sunlight than they are normally. When you begin taking this medicine, avoid too much sun and do not use a sunlamp until you see how you react to the sun, especially if you tend to burn easily. If you have a severe reaction, check with your doctor. Some people may develop brown, blotchy spots on exposed areas. These spots usually disappear gradually when the medicine is stopped.

If you suspect that you may have become pregnant, stop taking this medicine immediately and check with your doctor.

If you are scheduled for any laboratory tests, tell your doctor that you are taking birth control pills.

Check with your doctor before refilling an old prescription, especially after a pregnancy. You will need another physical examination and your doctor may change your prescription.


Side Effects of This Medicine

Side Effects of This Medicine

Healthy women who do not smoke cigarettes have almost no chance of having a severe side effect from taking oral contraceptives. For most women, more problems occur because of pregnancy than will occur from taking oral contraceptives. But for some women who have special health problems, oral contraceptives can cause some unwanted effects. Some of these unwanted effects include benign (not cancerous) liver tumors, liver cancer, or blood clots or related problems, such as a stroke. Although these effects are very rare, they can be serious enough to cause death. You may want to discuss these effects with your doctor.

Smoking cigarettes during the use of oral contraceptives has been found to greatly increase the chances of these serious side effects occurring. To reduce the risk of serious side effects, do not smoke cigarettes while you are taking oral contraceptives. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. The risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day) and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age.

The following side effects may be caused by blood clots. Get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.


Additional Information

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, oral contraceptives are used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

For patients taking this medicine for emergency contraception :

For patients taking this medicine for hirsutism:

For patients taking this medicine for endometriosis :

Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.

Revised: 03/15/2004

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Copyright© 2003 Thomson MICROMEDEX. All rights reserved. USP DI® and Advice for the Patient® are registered trademarks of USP used under license to Micromedex, a business of Thomson Healthcare Inc. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.