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Indication & Dosage |
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Oral |
CONTRACEPTION |
Adult:
Monotherapy: 30 or 37.5 mcg daily. Monophasic combined oral contraceptive (COC): 150-250 mcg daily. Triphasic COC: 50-125 mcg daily. |
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Oral |
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION |
Adult:
1.5 mg as soon as possible or within 72 hr of coitus. Alternatively, 750 mcg as soon as possible or within 72 hr of coitus followed by a 2nd dose 12 hr later. Another regimen combines levonorgestrel 500 mcg and ethinylestradiol 100 mcg; may be given within 72 hr of coitus followed by a 2nd dose 12 hr later. |
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Oral |
MENOPAUSAL HRT |
Adult:
As progestogenic component: 75-250 mcg for 10-12 days of a 28-day cycle. |
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Subcutaneous |
CONTRACEPTION |
Adult:
Insert 6 implants (36 mg/implant) under the skin within the first 7 days of the menstrual cycle and replace at intervals of up to 5 yr. |
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Transdermal |
MENOPAUSAL HRT |
Adult:
As combined transdermal patch (releases 10 mcg/24 hr with an oestrogen): Apply once wkly for 2 wk of a 4-wk cycle. Alternatively, a patch releasing 7 or 15 mcg/24 hr with an oestrogen is applied once wkly for continuous HRT. |
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Intrauterine |
CONTRACEPTION |
Adult:
52 mg released at an initial rate of 20 mcg/day. System is effective for up to 5 yr. |
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Intrauterine |
MENORRHAGIA |
Adult:
52 mg released at an initial rate of 20 mcg/day. System is effective for up to 5 yr. |
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Administration |
May be taken with or without food. |
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Precautions |
Sex-steroid dependent cancer, past ectopic pregnancy, malabsorption syndromes, functional ovarian cysts, active liver disease, recurrent cholestatic jaundice, history of jaundice in pregnancy, CV or renal impairment, DM, asthma, epilepsy, migraine, conditions aggravated by fluid retention, depression and thromboembolism (high doses); lactation. |
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Potentially Life-threatening
Adverse Drug Reactions |
Menstrual irregularities; nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, breast discomfort, gynaecomastia, depression, skin disorders, disturbance of appetite, wt changes, fluid retention, oedema, changes in libido, cholestatic jaundice, hair loss or hirsutism. Benign intracranial hypertension, thrombocytopenic purpura. |
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Adverse Drug Reactions |
Thrombocytopenia, stroke. |
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Interactions |
Reduced efficacy with enzyme-inducing drugs; aminoglutethimide. May inhibit ciclosporin metabolism. |
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