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Drospirenone / Ethinyl Estradiol Review


Drospirenone / Ethinyl Estradiol is a generic contraceptive preparation released in pills with a low dose of hormone. The type of the medication is monophasic.

Contents:

Indications for use

This drug is prescribed for contraception.

Mechanism of action

A combined hormonal drug which allows avoiding the risk of unwanted pregnancy. Except for contraception, estradiol replenishes the estrogen deficiency in the female body after the onset of menopause and provides effective treatment of psycho-emotional and vegetative climacteric symptoms (hot flashes, excessive sweating, sleep disorders, irritability, palpitations, cardialgia, dizziness, headache, decreased libido, muscle and joint pain), reduces the involution of skin and mucous membrane (a positive effect for incontinence, dryness and vaginal irritation, soreness in sexual intercourse). Estradiol prevents bone loss, the risk of bone fractures, improves skin density and slows the formation of wrinkles.

Drospirenone is able to prevent weight gain and other symptoms associated with fluid retention in the body. It prevents the delay of sodium and water and the increase in blood pressure. In combination with estradiol, drospirenone improves the lipid profile, lowers cholesterol and slightly increases the level of thyroglobulin. Drospirenone does not possess any androgenic, estrogenic, glucocorticoid and antiglucocorticoid activity, which, in combination with antiandrogenic action, provides biochemical and pharmacological profile very similar to natural progesterone. There is evidence of a reduced risk of hyperplasia and endometrial cancer.

Mode of application and dosage

The drug should be taken once daily. After the end of taking 28 tablets, a new package is started the next day without any break. The tablet is swallowed whole, with a small amount of water. The medication should be taken at one and the same time. If several tablets are missed, vaginal bleeding may develop.

Contraindications

  • Vaginal bleeding of unknown etiology;
  • Benign or malignant liver tumors;
  • Hormonal-dependent malignant diseases of genital organs or mammary glands;
  • Hepatic disease;
  • Severe or acute renal failure;
  • Thrombosis (venous and arterial) – deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disorders;
  • Transient cerebral circulation disorders;
  • Stenocardia;
  • Diabetes;
  • Pregnancy;
  • Breastfeeding period;
  • Hypersensitivity to the drug components.

Side effects

  • Allergic reactions, thromboembolism (including cerebral vessels and pulmonary arteries);
  • Vein thrombosis of the retina;
  • Thrombophlebitis;
  • Dizziness;
  • Increased blood pressure (hypertension);
  • Calculous cholecystitis;
  • Edema;
  • Cholestatic hepatitis;
  • Headache;
  • Drowsiness;
  • Depression;
  • Dysphoria;
  • Apathy;
  • Visual impairment;
  • Nausea;
  • Decreased appetite;
  • Vomiting;
  • Galactorrhea;
  • Weight change;
  • Alopecia;
  • Hirsutism;
  • Tension and pain and mammary glands;
  • Menstrual disorders cycle (intermittent bleeding, contraction);
  • Decreased libido;
  • Spotting;
  • Breakthrough uterine bleeding;
  • Change in the nature of vaginal allocations;
  • Condition similar to premenstrual syndrome;
  • Skin itching;
  • Skin rash;
  • Chloasma;
  • Erythema multiforme;
  • Erythema nodosum;
  • Migraine;
  • Anxiety;
  • Fatigue;
  • Insomnia;
  • Heart palpitations;
  • Muscle cramps;
  • Contact lens intolerance.

Interactions

Long-term therapy with drugs that induce liver enzymes (including barbiturates, hydantoin derivatives, primidone, rifampicin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, felbamate, topiramate, griseofulvin) can increase the clearance of sex hormones and decrease their effectiveness. Drospirenone can reduce the effectiveness of anabolic steroids and drugs that stimulate smoothing of the uterine muscles.

What if I miss a dose?

Missing the placebo pills from the last (4th) row of the blister can be neglected. However, they should be thrown away to avoid unintended prolongation of the placebo phase. The notes below apply only to missed tablets containing active ingredients.

If the delay in taking the pill is less than 12 hours, the contraceptive protection does not decrease. A woman should take the missed pill as soon as possible (as soon as she remembers), and the next pill – at the usual time.

If the delay exceeds 12 hours, the contraceptive protection can be decreased. In doing so, you can follow two basic rules:

  • The intake of tablets should never be interrupted for more than 7 days.
  • To achieve adequate suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian system, 7 days of continuous administration of tablets are required.

Drospirenone / Ethinyl Estradiol and pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding).

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