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Continuous-Use Ethinylestradiol/Levonorgestrel 20μg/90μg

As an Oral Contraceptive

  • Adis Drug Profile
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Abstract

  • ▲ The continuous-use combination oral contraceptive ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel 20μg/90μg suppresses gonadotropins, and subsequently ovulation and endometrial thickening, and suppresses breakthrough bleeding.

  • ▲ Amenorrhoea and absence of breakthrough bleeding increase in incidence with extended administration.

  • ▲ The pregnancy rate attributable to method failure in a large noncomparative trial of healthy, sexually active (aged 18–49 years) women during treatment with ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel 20μg/90μg for 12 months was 15 per 2134 women (adjusted Pearl Index 1.26 per 100 women-years of use).

  • ▲ There were no differences in pregnancy rates over 12 months between continuous-use ethinylestradiol/ levonorgestrel 20μg/90μg and cyclical ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel 20μg/100μg in a smaller, randomised, nonblind trial.

  • ▲ Adverse menstrual cycle-related symptoms were significantly improved with administration of continuous-use ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel 20μg/ 90μg in a noncomparative trial.

  • ▲ In small trials, hormonal and ultrasound changes indicative of reinstated ovulation occurred within a month of discontinuation of the drug, and menstruation began again in most women within 90 days.

  • ▲ The incidence of adverse effects was similar in continuous-use and cyclical regimens of ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel (20μg/90μg vs 20μg/100μg).

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Notes

  1. The use of trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wolters Kluwer Health ¦ Adis, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, North Shore, 0754, Auckland, New Zealand

    Antona J. Wagstaff

  2. Wolters Kluwer Health, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA

    Antona J. Wagstaff

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  1. Antona J. Wagstaff
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Correspondence to Antona J. Wagstaff.

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Wagstaff, A.J. Continuous-Use Ethinylestradiol/Levonorgestrel 20μg/90μg. Drugs 67, 2475–2479 (2007). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200767160-00009

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200767160-00009

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