Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel

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Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel
Combination of
Ethinylestradiol Estrogen
Levonorgestrel Progestogen
Clinical data
Trade names Altavera, Alysena, Amethyst, others [1]
Other namesEE/LNG
AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph
MedlinePlus a601050
Routes of
administration
By mouth
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
CAS Number
KEGG
Rigevidon, an example of a combined ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel contraceptive pill Rigevidon.jpg
Rigevidon, an example of a combined ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel contraceptive pill

Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel (EE/LNG) is a combined birth control pill made up of ethinylestradiol, an estrogen and levonorgestrel a progestin. [2] It is used for birth control, symptoms of menstruation, endometriosis, and as emergency contraception. [1] [2] It is taken by mouth. [1] Some preparations of EE/LNG additionally contain an iron supplement in the form of ferrous bisglycinate or ferrous fumarate. [3]

Side effects can include nausea, headache, blood clots, breast pain, depression, and liver problems. [2] Use is not recommended during pregnancy, the initial three weeks after childbirth, and in those at high risk of blood clots. [2] However, it may be started immediately after a miscarriage or abortion. [4] Smoking while using combined birth control pills is not recommended. [1] It works by stopping ovulation, making the mucus at the opening to the cervix thick, and making the uterus not suitable for implantation. [1]

Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel has been approved for medical use in the United States since 1982. [1] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. [5] It is available as a generic medication. [6] It is marketed under a large number of brand names. [1] In 2021, it was the 144th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 4 million prescriptions. [7] [8]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethinylestradiol/drospirenone</span> Combination drug

Ethinylestradiol/drospirenone (EE/DRSP), sold under the brand name Yasmin among others, is a combination of ethinylestradiol (EE), an estrogen, and drospirenone (DRSP), a progestin, antimineralocorticoid, and antiandrogen, which is used as a birth control pill to prevent pregnancy in women. It is also indicated for the treatment of moderate acne, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) in women. The medication is taken by mouth and contains 30 μg EE and 3 mg DRSP per tablet (brand names Yasmin, others) or 20 μg EE and 3 mg DRSP per tablet (brand names Yaz, Yasminelle, Nikki, others). A formulation with levomefolic acid (vitamin B9) has also been marketed (brand names Beyaz, Safyral, others), with similar indications. EE/DRSP is marketed widely throughout the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethinylestradiol/desogestrel</span> Progestogens and estrogens systemic contraceptives, sequential preparations

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References

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  3. Editor in Chief, Richard J. Hamilton MD FAAEM FACMT FACEP (30 April 2020). Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2020 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning. pp. 347–. ISBN   978-1-284-40304-6.{{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  4. "Erlibelle 30micrograms/150micrograms film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) - (eMC)". www.medicines.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  5. World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
  6. Hamilton, Richart (2015). Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2015 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 349. ISBN   9781284057560.
  7. "The Top 300 of 2021". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  8. "Ethinyl Estradiol; Levonorgestrel - Drug Usage Statistics". ClinCalc. Retrieved 14 January 2024.