Levonorgestrel And Ethinyl Estradiol - Levonorgestrel And Ethinyl Estradiol prescribing information
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with the extent of smoking (in epidemiologic studies, 15 or more cigarettes per day was associated with a significantly increased risk) and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age. Women who use oral contraceptives should be strongly advised not to smoke.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets are indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives as a method of contraception.
Oral contraceptives are highly effective. Table 2 lists the typical accidental pregnancy rates for users of combination oral contraceptives and other methods of contraception. The efficacy of these contraceptive methods, except sterilization, the IUD, and Norplant ® System, depends upon the reliability with which they are used. Correct and consistent use of methods can result in lower failure rates.
Table 2: 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.
| Emergency Contraceptive Pills: The FDA has concluded that certain combined oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel or levonorgestrel are safe and effective for use as postcoital emergency contraception. Treatment initiated within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse reduces the risk of pregnancy by at least 75%. 9 | |||
| Lactation Amenorrhea Method: LAM is a highly effective, temporary method of contraception. 10 | |||
| Source: Trussell J. Contraceptive efficacy. In: Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Stewart F, Cates W, Stewart GK, Kowel D, Guest F. Contraceptive Technology: Seventeenth Revised Edition. New York NY: Irvington Publishers; 1998. | |||
% of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy Within the First Year of Use | % of Women Continuing Use at One Year 3 | ||
Method | Typical Use 1 | Perfect Use 2 | |
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) |
Chance 4 | 85 | 85 | |
Spermicides 5 | 26 | 6 | 40 |
Periodic abstinence | 25 | 63 | |
Calendar | 9 | ||
Ovulation Method | 3 | ||
Sympto-Thermal 6 | 2 | ||
Post-Ovulation | 1 | ||
Cap 7 | |||
Parous women | 40 | 26 | 42 |
Nulliparous women | 20 | 9 | 56 |
Sponge | |||
Parous women | 40 | 20 | 42 |
Nulliparous women | 20 | 9 | 56 |
Diaphragm 7 | 20 | 6 | 56 |
Withdrawal | 19 | 4 | |
Condom 8 | |||
Female (Reality) | 21 | 5 | 56 |
Male | 14 | 3 | 61 |
Pill | 5 | 71 | |
Progestin only | 0.5 | ||
Combined | 0.1 | ||
IUD | |||
Progesterone T | 2.0 | 1.5 | 81 |
Copper T380A | 0.8 | 0.6 | 78 |
LNg 20 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 81 |
Depo-Provera ® | 0.3 | 0.3 | 70 |
Levonorgestrel | |||
Implants (Norplant ® ) | 0.05 | 0.05 | 88 |
Female Sterilization | 0.5 | 0.5 | 100 |
Male Sterilization | 0.15 | 0.10 | 100 |
- Among typical couples 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.
- Among couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time) and who use it perfectly (both consistently and correctly), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason.
- Among couples attempting to avoid pregnancy, the percentage who continue to use a method for one year.
- The proportion of women who become pregnant in columns (2) and (3) are based on data from populations where contraception is not used and from women who cease using contraception in order to become pregnant. Among such populations, about 89% become pregnant within one year. This estimate was lowered slightly (to 85%) to represent the proportion who would become pregnant within one year among women now relying on reversible methods of contraception if they abandoned contraception altogether.
- Foams, creams, gels, vaginal suppositories, and vaginal film.
- Cervical mucus (ovulation) method supplemented by calendar in the pre-ovulatory and basal body temperature in the post-ovulatory phases.
- With spermicidal cream or jelly.
- Without spermicides.
- The treatment schedule is one dose within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, and a second dose 12 hours after the first dose. The FDA has declared the following dosage regimens of oral contraceptives to be safe and effective for emergency contraception: for tablets containing 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 500 mcg of norgestrel 1 dose is 2 tablets; for tablets containing 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 100 mcg of levonorgestrel 1 dose is 5 tablets; for tablets containing 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 150 mcg of levonorgestrel 1 dose is 4 tablets.
- However, to maintain effective protection against pregnancy, another method of contraception must be used as soon as menstruation resumes, the frequency or duration of breastfeeds is reduced, bottle feeds are introduced, or the baby reaches 6 months of age.
In a clinical trial with levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, 1,477 subjects had 7,720 cycles of use and a total of 5 pregnancies were reported. This represents an overall pregnancy rate of 0.84 per 100 woman-years. This rate includes patients who did not take the drug correctly. One or more pills were missed during 1,479 (18.8%) of the 7,870 cycles; thus all tablets were taken during 6,391 (81.2%) of the 7,870 cycles. Of the total 7,870 cycles, a total of 150 cycles were excluded from the calculation of the Pearl index due to the use of backup contraception and/or missing 3 or more consecutive pills.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets must be taken exactly as directed and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours. The dosage of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablet is one light yellow tablet daily for 21 consecutive days, followed by one brown 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.
During The First Cycle Of Use
The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of medication should be considered. The patient should be instructed to begin taking levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets on either the first Sunday after the onset of menstruation (Sunday Start) or on Day 1 of menstruation (Day 1 Start).
Sunday start:
The patient is instructed to begin taking levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets on the first Sunday after the onset of menstruation. If menstruation begins on a Sunday, the first tablet (light yellow) is taken that day. One light yellow tablet should be taken daily for 21 consecutive days, followed by one brown inert tablet daily for 7 consecutive days. Withdrawal bleeding should usually occur within 3 days following discontinuation of light yellow tablets and may not have finished before the next pack is started. During the first cycle, contraceptive reliance should not be placed on levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets until a light yellow tablet has been taken daily for 7 consecutive days, and a nonhormonal back-up method of birth control should be used during those 7 days.
Day 1 start:
During the first cycle of medication, the patient is instructed to begin taking levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets during the first 24 hours of her period (day one of her menstrual cycle). One light yellow tablet should be taken daily for 21 consecutive days, followed by one brown inert tablet daily for 7 consecutive days. Withdrawal bleeding should usually occur within 3 days following discontinuation of light yellow tablets and may not have finished before the next pack is started. If medication is begun on day one of the menstrual cycle, no back-up contraception is necessary. If levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets are started later than day one of the first menstrual cycle or postpartum, contraceptive reliance should not be placed on levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets until after the first 7 consecutive days of administration, and a nonhormonal back-up method of birth control should be used during those 7 days.
After the first cycle of use
The patient begins her next and all subsequent courses of tablets on the day after taking her last brown tablet. She should follow the same dosing schedule: 21 days on light yellow tablets followed by 7 days on brown tablets. If in any cycle the patient starts tablets later than the proper day, she should protect herself against pregnancy by using a nonhormonal back-up method of birth control until she has taken a light yellow tablet daily for 7 consecutive days.
Switching from another hormonal method of contraception
When the patient is switching from a 21-day regimen of tablets, she should wait 7 days after her last tablet before she starts levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets. She will probably experience withdrawal bleeding during that week. She should be sure that no more than 7 days pass after her previous 21-day regimen. When the patient is switching from a 28-day regimen of tablets, she should start her first pack of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets on the day after her last tablet. She should not wait any days between packs. The patient may switch any day from a progestin-only pill and should begin levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets the next day. If switching from an implant or injection, the patient should start levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets on the day of implant removal or, if using an injection, the day the next injection would be due. In switching from a progestin-only pill, injection, or implant, the patient should be advised to use a nonhormonal back-up method of birth control for the first 7 days of tablet-taking.
If spotting or breakthrough bleeding occurs
If spotting or breakthrough bleeding occur, the patient is instructed to continue on the same regimen. This type of bleeding is usually transient and without significance; however, if the bleeding is persistent or prolonged, the patient is advised to consult her physician.
Risk of pregnancy if tablets are missed
While there is little likelihood of ovulation occurring if only one or two light yellow tablets are missed, the possibility of ovulation increases with each successive day that scheduled light yellow tablets are missed. Although the occurrence of pregnancy is unlikely if levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets is taken according to directions, if withdrawal bleeding does not occur, the possibility of pregnancy must be considered. If the patient has not adhered to the prescribed schedule (missed one or more tablets or started taking them on a day later than she should have), the probability of pregnancy should be considered at the time of the first missed period and appropriate diagnostic measures taken. If the patient has adhered to the prescribed regimen and misses two consecutive periods, pregnancy should be ruled out.
The risk of pregnancy increases with each active (light yellow) tablet missed. For additional patient instructions regarding missed tablets, see the WHAT TO DO IF YOU MISS PILLS section in the DETAILED PATIENT LABELING below.
Use after pregnancy, abortion or miscarriage
Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets may be initiated no earlier than day 28 postpartum in the nonlactating mother or after a second trimester abortion due to the increased risk for thromboembolism (see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS , and PRECAUTIONS concerning thromboembolic disease). The patient should be advised to use a non-hormonal back-up method for the first 7 days of tablet taking.
Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets may be initiated immediately after a first trimester abortion or miscarriage. If the patient starts levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets immediately, back-up contraception is not needed.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Combination oral contraceptives should not be used in women with any of the following conditions:
Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders
A history of deep-vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders
Cerebrovascular or coronary artery disease (current or past history)
Valvular heart disease with thrombogenic complications
Thrombogenic rhythm disorders
Hereditary or acquired thrombophilias
Major surgery with prolonged immobilization
Diabetes with vascular involvement
Headaches with focal neurological symptoms
Uncontrolled hypertension
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, or active liver disease
Known or suspected pregnancy
Hypersensitivity to any of the components of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets
Women who are receiving Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to the potential for alanine aminotransferase (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 (see WARNINGS section for additional information) has been associated with the use of oral contraceptives:
Thromboembolic and thrombotic disorders and other vascular problems (including thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism, mesenteric thrombosis, arterial thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral thrombosis), carcinoma of the reproductive organs and breasts, hepatic neoplasia (including hepatic adenomas or benign liver tumors), ocular lesions (including retinal vascular thrombosis), gallbladder disease, carbohydrate and lipid effects, elevated blood pressure, and headache including migraine.
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 3).
Three studies compared breast cancer risk between current or recent COC users (<6 months since last use) and never users of COCs (Figure 3). 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 3. 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.
The following adverse reactions have been reported in patients receiving oral contraceptives and are believed to be drug related (alphabetically listed):
Acne
Amenorrhea
Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, including urticaria, angioedema and severe reactions with respiratory and circulatory symptoms
Breast changes: tenderness, pain, enlargement, secretion
Budd-Chiari syndrome
Cervical erosion and secretion, change in
Cholestatic jaundice
Chorea, exacerbation of
Colitis
Contact lenses, intolerance to
Corneal curvature (steepening), change in
Dizziness
Edema/fluid retention
Erythema multiforme
Erythema nodosum
Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal pain, cramps, and bloating)
Hirsutism
Infertility after discontinuation of treatment, temporary
Lactation, diminution in, when given immediately postpartum
Libido, change in
Melasma/chloasma which may persist
Menstrual flow, change in
Mood changes, including depression
Nausea
Nervousness
Pancreatitis
Porphyria, exacerbation of
Rash (allergic)
Scalp hair, loss of
Serum folate levels, decrease in
Spotting
Systemic lupus erythematosus, exacerbation of
Unscheduled bleeding
Vaginitis, including candidiasis
Varicose veins, aggravation of
Vomiting
Weight or appetite (increase or decrease), change in
The following adverse reactions have been reported in users of oral contraceptives:
Cataracts
Cystitis-like syndrome
Dysmenorrhea
Hemolytic uremic syndrome
Hemorrhagic eruption
Optic neuritis, which may lead to partial or complete loss of vision
Premenstrual syndrome
Renal function, impaired
DESCRIPTION
Each active, light yellow tablet (21) contains 0.1 mg of levonorgestrel, d(-)-13-β-ethyl-17-α-ethinyl-17-β-hydroxygon-4-en-3-one, a totally synthetic progestogen, and 0.02 mg of ethinyl estradiol, 17-α-ethinyl-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,17-β-diol. The inactive ingredients present are croscarmellose sodium, ferric oxide of iron (yellow), ferric oxide of iron (red), lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone K-25, and sodium lauryl sulfate.
Each inactive, brown tablet (7) contains the following inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, ferric oxide of iron (brown), lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and povidone K-25.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mode of Action
Combination oral contraceptives act by suppression of gonadotropins. Although the primary mechanism of this action is inhibition of ovulation, other alterations include changes in the cervical mucus (which increase the difficulty of sperm entry into the uterus) and the endometrium (which reduce the likelihood of implantation).
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
No specific investigation of the absolute bioavailability of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets in humans has been conducted. However, literature indicates that levonorgestrel is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration (bioavailability about 100%) and is not subject to first-pass metabolism. Ethinyl estradiol is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but, due to first-pass metabolism in gut mucosa and liver, the bioavailability of ethinyl estradiol is between 38% and 48%.
After a single dose of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets to 22 women under fasting conditions, maximum serum concentrations of levonorgestrel are 2.8 ± 0.9 ng/mL (mean ± SD) at 1.6 ± 0.9 hours. At steady state, attained from day 19 onwards, maximum levonorgestrel concentrations of 6.0 ± 2.7 ng/mL are reached at 1.5 ± 0.5 hours after the daily dose. The minimum serum levels of levonorgestrel at steady state are 1.9 ± 1.0 ng/mL. Observed levonorgestrel concentrations increased from day 1 (single dose) to days 6 and 21 (multiple doses) by 34% and 96%, respectively (Figure 1). Unbound levonorgestrel concentrations increased from day 1 to days 6 and 21 by 25% and 83%, respectively. The kinetics of total levonorgestrel are non-linear due to an increase in binding of levonorgestrel to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which is attributed to increased SHBG levels that are induced by the daily administration of ethinyl estradiol.
Following a single dose, maximum serum concentrations of ethinyl estradiol of 62 ± 21 pg/mL are reached at 1.5 ± 0.5 hours. At steady state, attained from at least day 6 onwards, maximum concentrations of ethinyl estradiol were 77 ± 30 pg/mL and were reached at 1.3 ± 0.7 hours after the daily dose. The minimum serum levels of ethinyl estradiol at steady state are 10.5 ± 5.1 pg/mL. Ethinyl estradiol concentrations did not increase from days 1 to 6, but did increase by 19% from days 1 to 21 (FIGURE 1).
FIGURE 1: Mean (SE) levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol serum concentrations in 22 subjects receiving levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets (100 mcg levonorgestrel and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol)
Table I provides a summary of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol pharmacokinetic parameters.
TABLE 1: Mean (SD) Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets Over a 21-Day Dosing Period
Levonorgestrel | ||||||
Day | C max ng/mL | T max h | AUC ng•h/mL | CL/F mL/h/kg | Vλz/F L/kg | SHBG nmol/L |
1 | 2.75 (0.88) | 1.6 (0.9) | 35.2 (12.8) | 53.7 (20.8) | 2.66 (1.09) | 57 (18) |
6 | 4.52 (1.79) | 1.5 (0.7) | 46.0 (18.8) | 40.8(14.5) | 2.05 (0.86) | 81 (25) |
21 | 6.00 (2.65) | 1.5 (0.5) | 68.3 (32.5) | 28.4 (10.3) | 1.43 (0.62) | 93 (40) |
Unbound Levonorgestrel | ||||||
pg/mL | h | pg•h/mL | L/h/kg | L/kg | fu% | |
1 | 51.2 (12.9) | 1.6 (0.9) | 654 (201) | 2.79 (0.97) | 135.9 (41.8) | 1.92 (0.30) |
6 | 77.9 (22.0) | 1.5 (0.7) | 794 (240) | 2.24 (0.59) | 112.4 (40.5) | 1.80 (0.24) |
21 | 103.6 (36.9) | 1.5 (0.5) | 1177 (452) | 1.57 (0.49) | 78.6 (29.7) | 1.78 (0.19) |
Ethinyl Estradiol | ||||||
pg/mL | h | pg•h/mL | mL/h/kg | L/kg | ||
1 | 62.0 (20.5) | 1.5 (0.5) | 653 (227) | 567 (204) | 14.3 (3.7) | |
6 | 76.7 (29.9) | 1.3 (0.7) | 604 (231) | 610 (196) | 15.5 (4.0) | |
21 | 82.3 (33.2) | 1.4 (0.6) | 776 (308) | 486 (179) | 12.4 (4.1) | |
Distribution
Levonorgestrel in serum is primarily bound to SHBG. Ethinyl estradiol is about 97% bound to plasma albumin. Ethinyl estradiol does not bind to SHBG, but induces SHBG synthesis.
Metabolism
Levonorgestrel: The most important metabolic pathway occurs in the reduction of the Δ4-3-oxo group and hydroxylation at positions 2α, 1β, and 16β, followed by conjugation. Most of the metabolites that circulate in the blood are sulfates of 3α, 5β-tetrahydro-levonorgestrel, while excretion occurs predominantly in the form of glucuronides. Some of the parent levonorgestrel also circulates as 17β-sulfate. Metabolic clearance rates may differ among individuals by several-fold, and this may account in part for the wide variation observed in levonorgestrel concentrations among users.
Ethinyl estradiol: Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP3A4) in the liver are responsible for the 2-hydroxylation that is the major oxidative reaction. The 2-hydroxy metabolite is further transformed by methylation and glucuronidation prior to urinary and fecal excretion. Levels of Cytochrome P450 (CYP3A) vary widely among individuals and can explain the variation in rates of ethinyl estradiol 2-hydroxylation. Ethinyl estradiol is excreted in the urine and feces as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, and undergoes enterohepatic circulation.
Excretion
The elimination half-life for levonorgestrel is approximately 36 ± 13 hours at steady state. Levonorgestrel and its metabolites are primarily excreted in the urine (40% to 68%) and about 16% to 48% are excreted in feces. The elimination half-life of ethinyl estradiol is 18 ± 4.7 hours at steady state.
Special Populations
Race
Based on the pharmacokinetic study with levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, there are no apparent differences in pharmacokinetic parameters among women of different races.
Hepatic insufficiency
No formal studies have evaluated the effect of hepatic disease on the disposition of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets. However, steroid hormones may be poorly metabolized in patients with impaired liver function.
Renal insufficiency
No formal studies have evaluated the effect of renal disease on the disposition of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets.
Drug-drug interactions
HOW SUPPLIED
Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP are available in 28 tablets. Each pack contains:
21 active tablets: light yellow colored, uncoated, round, unscored, flat tablets debossed with 201 on one side and blank on the other side.
7 inert tablets: brown colored, uncoated, round, unscored flat tablets debossed with 271 on one side and blank on the other side.
Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP are available as follows:
NDC 0378-7287-53, Carton of 3 pouches, each pouch containing 28 tablets
NDC 0378-7287-56, Carton of 6 pouches, each pouch containing 28 tablets
Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.]
References available upon request.
