| Lybrel
is the first FDA approved oral contraceptive
drug for prevention of pregnancy in women
who opt to use oral contraceptive. Lybrel — developed
by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals — is the first
and only low dose combination contraceptive pill taken 365
days a year, without a placebo phase or pill-free
interval. And only, birth control pill that
is also designed to eliminate women's monthly periods.
Lybrel comes in a 28-day pack of tablets containing 20 micrograms
of ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen) and 90
mcg of levonorgestrel (a progestin). This
is about equal to the lowest level of hormones in combination
Oral Contraceptives today. Women who use Lybrel
don't have regular periods, although they can have light bleeding.
The FDA's Web site, fda.gov, says women taking Lybrel may
experience spontaneous breakthrough bleeding.
It will work just like other combination birth control pills
by preventing ovulation from occuring. The
difference is that it will supply a steady low dose of ethinyl
estradiol and levonorgestrel to be taken 365 days of the year
without a pill-free interval or placebo period.
Lybrel will prevent menstruation as long
as the pill is taken daily.
“For those women seeking contraceptive options and
who are interested in putting their period on hold,”
says Ginger Constantine, M.D., Vice President, Women’s
Health Care, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, “Lybrel may be an
appropriate choice.”
Wakefield said stopping a menstrual cycle through birth-control
pills is better than a cycle becoming irregular naturally.
In a study, it is reported that after seven to 13
pill packs, women on Lybrel reported less nausea
and breast pain than those on a 21-day birth control pill.
Researchers found, in a different study, that three months
of taking Lybrel reduced PMS and associated complaints in
114 women.
However, there are no long-term safety data on Lybrel, and
its side effects or risks are considered to be alike to those
of conventional Oral Contraceptives like
an increased incidence of blood clots, heart attacks and stroke.
In addition, Oral contraceptives do not protect against HIV
infection (AIDS) or sexually transmitted diseases.
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