Loestrin 24 Fe

Introduction

Extended cycle oral contraceptive. Contains ethinyl estradiol 20 g, norethindrone 1 mg

Indications

• prevention of pregnancy

Contraindications

• may be less effective in women > 150 lbs

pregnancy-category X

safety in lactation -

Dosage

• 24 days of ethinyl estradiol 20 ug, 1 mg norethindrone plus 4 days of placebo

Pharmacokinetics

• elimination: liver

Adverse effects

• common (> 10%)
  • nausea, peripheral edema, breast enlargement, breast tenderness, anorexia, bloating
• not common (1-10%)
  • vomiting, diarrhea, increased libido, headache
• uncommon (< 1%)
  • intolerance to contact lenses, breast tumors, amenorrhea, alterations in mestrual flow, hypertension, thromboembolism, stroke, myocardial infarction, edema, depression, dizziness, anxiety, chloasma, melasma, rash, hyperglycemia, GI distress, increased serum triglycerides, increased LDL, cholestatic jaundice, increased susceptibility to Candida infection

Drug interactions

• barbiturates, carbamazepine, cyclosporine, griseofulvin, penicillins, phenytoin, rifampin, tetracyclines

• drug interaction(s) of beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists with oral contraceptives
• drug interaction(s) of NSAIDs with oral contraceptive

More general terms

• monophasic oral contraceptive

Components

• ethinyl estradiol
• norethindrone (Norlutate, Aygestin, Micronor)