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Desogestrel / Ethinyl Estradiol Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 18, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 0.15 mg-0.03 mg; biphasic; triphasic 25 mcg

Usual Adult Dose for:

Usual Pediatric Dose for:

Additional dosage information:

Usual Adult Dose for Contraception

0.15 mg desogestrel/0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol tablet regimen:


Biphasic regimen:

Triphasic regimen:

Comments:

Use: Prevention of pregnancy

Usual Pediatric Dose for Contraception

Postpubertal adolescents:
0.15 mg desogestrel/0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol tablet regimen:


Biphasic regimen:

Triphasic regimen:

Comments:

Use: Prevention of pregnancy

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Patients with liver dysfunction and normal liver function tests: Data not available.
Patients with hepatic tumors OR acute/chronic active liver disease with abnormal liver function tests: Contraindicated.
Jaundice occurring during treatment: Discontinue use.

Dose Adjustments

Postpartum use: Patients who do not elect to breastfeed may begin after 4 to 6 weeks. Patients who do not have a period before beginning treatment should use another contraceptive method for the first 7 days of treatment.

Spotting/breakthrough bleeding: If continued breakthrough bleeding/spotting occur and
pregnancy and malignancy are ruled out, switching to another contraceptive should be considered.

Missed tablets:


Local protocol and/or the manufacturer product information should be consulted for further guidance.

Precautions

US BOXED WARNING: CARDIOVASCULAR RISK ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKING: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. For this reason, combination oral contraceptives, including this drug, should not be used by women who are over 35 years of age and smoke.

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients before menarche and in patients over 65 years of age.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:


Storage requirements: Protect from light.

General: Oral contraceptives with doses over 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol may provide non-contraceptive health benefits (e.g., increased cycle regularity and decreased blood loss, dysmenorrhea, iron-deficient anemia, functional ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, fibroadenomas/fibrocystic breast disease, acute pelvic inflammatory disease, endometrial and ovarian cancer).

Monitoring:

Patient advice:

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.