Progestin (mg)* | Estrogen (micrograms) | United States brand name | Notes |
Monophasic combinations | |||
Drospirenone (3) | Ethinyl estradiol (20) |
| Also approved for acne and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. In patients with conditions requiring chronic therapy with medications that may increase potassium, monitor serum potassium during the first treatment cycle and periodically thereafter if patient begins medication or develops a condition that increases risk for hyperkalemia. Packaged as active tablets for 24 days and placebo for 4 days; except Beyaz, which contains 451 mcg of levomefolate per tablet (24 active tablets and 4 levomefolate tablets). |
Levonorgestrel (0.09) | Ethinyl estradiol (20) |
| |
Levonorgestrel (0.1) | Ethinyl estradiol (20) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Norethindrone acetate (1) | Ethinyl estradiol (20) |
| Packaged as active pills for 24 days and ferrous fumarate for 4 days. |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and ferrous fumarate for 7 days. | ||
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days (does not contain iron). | ||
Norethindrone (0.8) | Ethinyl estradiol (25) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 24 days and ferrous fumarate for 4 days. |
Desogestrel (0.15) | Ethinyl estradiol (30) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Drospirenone (3) | Ethinyl estradiol (30) |
| In patients with conditions requiring chronic therapy with medications that may increase potassium, monitor serum potassium during the first treatment cycle and periodically thereafter if patient begins medication or develops a condition that increases risk for hyperkalemia. Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days; except Safyral and Tydemy, which contain 451 mcg of levomefolate per tablet (21 active tablets and 7 levomefolate tablets). |
Levonorgestrel (0.15) | Ethinyl estradiol (30) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Norethindrone acetate (1.5) | Ethinyl estradiol (30) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and ferrous fumarate for 7 days. |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days (does not contain iron). | ||
Norgestrel (0.3)¶ | Ethinyl estradiol (30) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Ethynodiol diacetate (1) | Ethinyl estradiol (35) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Norethindrone (0.4) | Ethinyl estradiol (35) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and ferrous fumarate for 7 days. | ||
Norethindrone (0.5) | Ethinyl estradiol (35) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Norethindrone (1) | Ethinyl estradiol (35) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. Nortrel 1/35 is also available as a 21-day regimen (packaged without placebo). |
Norgestimate (0.25) | Ethinyl estradiol (35) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Cyproterone (2) | Ethinyl estradiol (35) |
| Labeled approval in Canada is for treatment of acne; provides reliable contraception if taken as recommended for treatment of acne. Packaged as active tablets for 21 days. Not available in the United States; Canadian product shown. |
Ethynodiol diacetate (1) | Ethinyl estradiol (50) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. NOTE: Pills containing 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol are not indicated for routine contraceptive use because of increased risk of cardiovascular events compared with lower-dose oral contraceptive pills. |
Drospirenone (3) | Estetrol (14.2) NOTE: Estetrol strength listed in milligrams (mg) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 24 days and placebo for 4 days. In patients with conditions requiring chronic therapy with medications that may increase potassium, monitor serum potassium during the first treatment cycle and periodically thereafter if patient begins medication or develops a condition that increases risk for hyperkalemia. |
Nomegestrol acetate (2.5) | Estradiol (as hemihydrate) (1.5) NOTE: Estradiol strength listed in milligrams (mg) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 24 days and placebo for 4 days. Not available in the United States; United Kingdom and European Union product shown. |
Multiphasic combinations | |||
Dienogest (0,2,3,0) | Estradiol valerate (3,2,2,1) NOTE: Estradiol strength listed in milligrams (mg) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 26 days and placebo for 2 days. |
Norethindrone acetate (1,0) | Ethinyl estradiol (10,10) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 26 days and ferrous fumarate for 2 days. |
Desogestrel (0.15,0,0) | Ethinyl estradiol (20,0,10) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 26 days and placebo for 2 days. |
Norethindrone acetate (1,1,1) | Ethinyl estradiol (20,30,35) |
| Also approved for acne. Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and ferrous fumarate for 7 days. |
Norgestimate (0.18,0.215,0.25) | Ethinyl estradiol (25,25,25) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Desogestrel (0.1,0.125,0.15) | Ethinyl estradiol (25,25,25) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Levonorgestrel (0.05,0.075,0.125) | Ethinyl estradiol (30,40,30) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Norgestimate (0.18,0.215,0.25) | Ethinyl estradiol (35,35,35) |
| Also approved for acne. Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Norethindrone (0.5,0.75,1) | Ethinyl estradiol (35,35,35) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Norethindrone (0.5,1,0.5) | Ethinyl estradiol (35,35,35) |
| Packaged as active tablets for 21 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Extended combinations (91-day regimens) | |||
Levonorgestrel (0.1,0) | Ethinyl estradiol (20,10) |
| Packaged as a 91-day regimen: 84 days of the combination and 7 days of 10 mcg ethinyl estradiol only. |
Levonorgestrel (0.15,0.15,0.15,0) | Ethinyl estradiol (20,25,30,10) |
| Packaged as a 91-day regimen: 84 days of the combination and 7 days of 10 mcg ethinyl estradiol only. |
Levonorgestrel (0.15,0) | Ethinyl estradiol (30,10) |
| Packaged as a 91-day regimen: 84 days of the combination and 7 days of 10 mcg ethinyl estradiol only. |
Levonorgestrel (0.15) | Ethinyl estradiol (30) |
| Packaged as a 91-day regimen: active tablets for 84 days and placebo for 7 days. |
Continuous combinations | |||
May use any monophasic 21/7 combination (eg, Amethyst [levonorgestrel 0.09 mcg-ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg]) by taking active hormone pills for 28 or more days continuously. Any progestin may be used, and higher doses of ethinyl estradiol may be used in some women. Refer to UpToDate topic. | |||
Progestin-only | |||
Norethindrone (0.35) | None |
| Packaged as active tablets for 28 days. |
Drospirenone (4) | None |
| Packaged as active tablets for 24 days and placebo for 4 days. In patients with conditions requiring chronic therapy with medications that may increase potassium, monitor serum potassium during the first treatment cycle and periodically thereafter if patient begins medication or develops a condition that increases risk for hyperkalemia. |
Norgestrel (0.075) | None |
| Packaged as active tablets for 28 days. Approved for over-the-counter use in the United States. |
Desogestrel (0.075) | None |
| Packaged as active tablets for 28 days. Not available in the United States or Canada; United Kingdom product shown. |
Transdermal patch, weekly | |||
Norelgestromin (releases 0.15 mg/day) | Ethinyl estradiol (releases 35 mcg/day) |
| May have diminished efficacy in women ≥90 kg. A new patch is applied every 7 days for 3 weeks followed by a patch-free week. These products are therapeutically equivalent to Ortho Evra patch, which is no longer available in the United States. |
Levonorgestrel (releases 0.12 mg/day) | Ethinyl estradiol (releases 30 mcg/day) |
| Contraindicated in women with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 due to decreased efficacy and increased risk of VTE. Diminished efficacy was observed in women with BMI ≥25 kg/m2. A new patch is applied every 7 days for 3 weeks followed by a patch-free week. |
Vaginal ring, monthly | |||
Etonogestrel (releases 0.12 mg/day) | Ethinyl estradiol (releases 15 mcg/day) |
| Ring is inserted for 3 weeks followed by 1 week without ring in place. A new ring is inserted 7 days after the last was removed. |
Segesterone (releases 0.15 mg/day) | Ethinyl estradiol (releases 13 mcg/day) |
| Ring is inserted for 3 weeks followed by 1 week without ring in place. The ring is then reinserted for the first 21 days of subsequent 28-day cycles. One system provides contraception for 13 28-day cycles (1 year). Not yet adequately evaluated in women with BMI >29 kg/m2. |
BMI: body mass index; Fe: contains iron; IUD: intrauterine device; VTE: venous thromboembolism.
* Different progestins are not equivalent on a milligram basis. Refer to the UpToDate overview of combined hormonal contraceptives for guidance on selection.
¶ The progestin norgestrel contains two isomers; only levonorgestrel is bioactive. The amount of norgestrel in each tablet is twice the amount of levonorgestrel.Do you want to add Medilib to your home screen?