Levlen, Levora, Nordette

Introduction

30 ug ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) plus 0.15 mg levonorgestrel (progestin)

Indications

• prevention of pregnancy
• treatment of hypermenorrhea
• endometriosis
• female hypogonadism

Contraindications

pregnancy-category X

safety in lactation -

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 adverse effects of estrogens

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
• ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (Jolessa, Lessina, Chateal EQ)

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=24706