Brand Names

AVERI
BEKYREE
CYCLESSA
DESOGEN
DESOGESTREL AND ETHINYL ESTRADIOL
DESOGESTREL; ETHINYL
DESOGESTREL; ETHINYL ESTRADIOL
EMOQUETTE
ENSKYCE
ISIBLOOM
KALLIGA
KARIVA
KIMIDESS
MIRCETTE
ORTHO-CEPT
PIMTREA
SIMLIYA
VELIVET
VIORELE
VOLNEA

Indications and Usage

Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use this product as a method of contraception. Oral contraceptives are highly effective. Table IIlists the typical accidental pregnancy rates for users of combination oral contraceptives and other methods of contraception. The efficacy of these contraceptive methods, except sterilization, depends upon the reliability with which they are used. Correct and consistent use of these methods can result in lower failure rates. TABLE II: Percentage of women experiencing an unintended pregnancy during the first year of typical use and the first year of perfect use of contraception and the percentage continuing use at the end of the first year, United States. % of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy within the First Year of Use % of Women Continuing Use at One Year a Method (1) Typical Use b (2) Perfect Use c (3) (4) Chance d 85 85 Spermicides e 26 6 40 Periodic Abstinence 25 63 Calendar 9 Ovulation Method 3 Sympto-Thermal f 2 Post-Ovulation 1 Withdrawal 19 4 Cap g Parous Women 40 26 42 Nulliparous Women 20 9 56 Sponge Parous Women 40 20 42 Nulliparous Women 20 9 56 Diaphragm g 20 6 56 Condom h Female (Reality) 21 5 56 Male 14 3 61 Pill 5 71 Progestin Only 0.5 Combined 0.1 IUD Progesterone T 2 1.5 81 Copper T 380A 0.8 0.6 78 LNg 20 0.1 0.1 81 Depo-Provera 0.3 0.3 70 Norplant and Norplant-2 0.05 0.05 88 Female Sterilization 0.5 0.5 100 Male Sterilization 0.15 0.10 100 Adapted from Hatcher et al., 1998, ref #1. a) Among couples attempting to avoid pregnancy, the percentage who continue to use a method for one year. b) Among typicalcouples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason. c) Among couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time) and who use it perf

Dosage and Administration

To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness,Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP must be taken exactly as directed and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours. Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP may be initiated using either a Sunday start or a Day 1 start. NOTE: Each cycle pack dispenser is preprinted with the days of the week, starting with Sunday, to facilitate a Sunday start regimen. Six different “day label strips” are provided with each cycle pack dispenser in order to accommodate a Day 1 start regimen. In this case, the patient should place the self-adhesive “day label strip” that corresponds to her starting day over the preprinted days. IMPORTANT: The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of use of Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP should be considered. The use of Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP for contraception may be initiated 4 weeks postpartum in women who elect not to breastfeed. When the tablets are administered during the postpartum period, the increased risk of thromboembolic disease associated with the postpartum period must be considered (see CONTRAINDICATIONSand WARNINGSconcerning thromboembolic disease. See also PRECAUTIONSfor Nursing mothers). If the patient starts on Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP postpartum, and has not yet had a period, she should be instructed to use another method of contraception until a white tablet has been taken daily for 7 days.

Contraindications

Oral contraceptives should not be used in women who currently have the following conditions: Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders A past history of deep vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders Cerebral vascular or coronary artery disease Current diagnosis of, or history of, breast cancer, which may be hormone-sensitive Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding Cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice with prior pill use Hepatic adenomas or carcinomas Are receiving Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to the potential for ALT elevations (see Warnings, RISK OF LIVER ENZYME ELEVATIONS WITH CONCOMITANT HEPATITIS C TREATMENT).

Adverse Reactions

An increased risk of the following serious adverse reactions has been associated with the use of oral contraceptives (see WARNINGSsection): • Thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis with or without embolism • Arterial thromboembolism • Pulmonary embolism • Myocardial infarction • Cerebral hemorrhage • Cerebral thrombosis • Hypertension • Gallbladder disease • Hepatic adenomas or benign liver tumors Post Marketing Experience Five studies that compared breast cancer risk between ever-users (current or past use) of COCs and never-users of COCs reported no association between ever use of COCs and breast cancer risk, with effect estimates ranging from 0.90 - 1.12 (Figure 2)(64 to 68). Three studies compared breast cancer risk between current or recent COC users (<6 months since last use) and never users of COCs (Figure 2)(64, 67, 69). One of these studies reported no association between breast cancer risk and COC use. The other two studies found an increased relative risk of 1.19 - 1.33 with current or recent use. Both of these studies found an increased risk of breast cancer with current use of longer duration, with relative risks ranging from 1.03 with less than one year of COC use to approximately 1.4 with more than 8-10 years of COC use. Figure 2.RELEVANT STUDIES OF RISK OF BREAST CANCER WITH COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES RR = relative risk; OR = odds ratio; HR = hazard ratio. “ever COC” are females with current or past COC use; “never COC use” are females that never used COCs. There is evidence of an association between the following conditions and the use of oral contraceptives: Mesenteric thrombosis Retinal thrombosis The following adverse reactions have been reported in patients receiving oral contraceptives and are believed to be drug-related: Nausea Vomiting Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal cramps and bloating) Breakthrough bleeding Spotting Change in menstrual flow Amenorrhea Temporary infertility after discontinuation of treatment Edema Melasma whi

Overdosage

Serious ill effects have not been reported following acute ingestion of large doses of oral contraceptives by young children. Overdosage may cause nausea, and withdrawal bleeding may occur in females.

⚠ Caution

Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any medication.