Levonorgestrel + Ethinylestradiol

Indications

Levonorgestrel + Ethinylestradiol is used for: Contraception

Adult Dose

Oral Contraception Adult The dosage of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets is one white tablet daily for 21 consecutive days, followed by one orange inert tablet daily for 7 consecutive days, according to the prescribed schedule. It is recommended that levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets be taken at the same time each day. Hepatic Impairment Do not administer

Child Dose

Renal Dose

Renal Impairment Use caution; monitor blood pressure

Administration

Contra Indications

Pregnancy, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, severe arterial disease (or family history of atherogenic lipid profile); liver adenoma; porphyria; after evacuation of hydatidiform mole; history of breast cancer; hepatic impairment; thrombophloebitis or thromboembolic disorders; breast carcinoma except in selected patients being treated for metastatic disease; oestrogen-dependent tumour; smoking ?40 cigarettes daily; >50 yr; diabetes complications present; BMI >39 kg/m2; migraine with typical focal aura, lasting >72 hr despite treatment or migraine treated with ergot derivatives; BP >160 mmHg systolic and 100 mmHg diastolic; transient ischaemic attacks without headaches; SLE; gallstones; history of haemolytic uraemic syndrome, pruritis during pregnancy; cholestatic jaundice; chorea or deterioration of otosclerosis pemphigoid; breast feeding during 1st 6 mth after delivery.

Precautions

Sex-steroid dependent cancer; past ectopic pregnancy; malabsorption syndromes; functional ovarian cysts; active liver disease, recurrent cholestatic jaundice, history of jaundice in pregnancy; history of CV or renal impairment; DM; asthma; epilepsy; migraine; depression; lactation; conditions exacerbated by fluid retention; hypercalcaemia; CV and gall bladder diseases; lipid effects; familial defects of lipoprotein metabolism; patients at risk of venous thromboembolism, breast cancer, preexisting uterine leiomyomata and benign hepatic adenoma; family history of arterial disease in 1st degree relative <45 yr; BP > systolic 140 mmHg and diastolic 90 mmHg; >35 yr; BMI 30-39 kg/m2; migraine without focal aura, controlled with 5HT1; GI upset (vomiting and diarrhoea), missed pills and interaction with other drugs may require additional contraceptive precautions. Should be taken at same time each day.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy There is little or no increased risk of birth defects in women who inadvertently use combination oral contraceptives during early pregnancy; epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses have not found an increased risk of genital or non-genital birth defects (including cardiac anomalies and limb-reduction defects) following exposure to low dose combination oral contraceptives prior to conception or during early pregnancy Not to be administered to induce withdrawal bleeding as a test for pregnancy; not for use during pregnancy to treat threatened or habitual abortion Lactation Advise nursing mother to use other forms of contraception, when possible, until she has weaned her child; combination oral contraceptives can reduce milk production in breastfeeding mothers; this is less likely to occur once breastfeeding is well established; however, it can occur at any time in some women; small amounts of oral contraceptive steroids and/or metabolites are present in breast milk

Interactions

CYP3A4 inducers may decrease levels/effects eg aminoglutethimide, carbamazepine, nafcillin, nevirapine, atazanavir, nelfinavir, phenobarbital, phenytoin, lamotrigine, rifamycins, griseofulvin and ritonavir; ampicillin, tetracycline and other antibiotics may reduce efficacy; oestrogens may antagonise anticoagulant effect of coumarins; may inhibit metabolism of prednisolone and ciclosporin; may reduce clearance of alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam; may increase clearance of lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Levonorgestrel + Ethinylestradiol : Menstrual irregularities; headache, dizziness; breast discomfort; gynaecomastia; depression; disturbance of appetite; wt changes; fluid retention; oedema; changes in libido; hair loss or hirsutism; GI disturbances (nausea and vomiting); genitourinary changes; haematologic disorders; endocrine and metabolic disorders; cholestatic jaundice; local skin reactions; chorea; contact lens intolerance; steeping of corneal curvature; pulmonary thromboembolism; carbohydrate and/or glucose intolerance; depression; chloasma; BP increase, liver impairment; reduced menstrual loss, 'spotting' in early cycles, absence of withdrawal bleeding; rarely photosensitivity; increased risk in breast cancer; elevation of plasma bound iodine, cortisol and thyroid binding, erythrocyte sedimentation may be accelerated; increases in plasma copper, iron and alkaline phosphatase; may affect serum triglyceride and lipoprotein levels; retinal vascular thrombosis. Potentially Fatal: Hepatic tumours; increased risk of thromboembolism.

Mechanism of Action

Combination of hormonal contraceptives inhibits ovulation by modulating pituitary secretion of gonadotrophins, luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone through a negative feedback system. They reduce sperm penetration if ovulation does occur by altering the cervical mucus; cause changes in the endometrium which reduce the risk of nidation and may change the tubal transport of the ova through the fallopian tubes.