Continuous-use and 21-day LNG/EE Produce Similar Results

A phase 3, randomized, open-label,multicenter study was conducted at 44sites in Europe to evaluate 2 differentdoses of Wyeth's oral levonorgestrel(LNG) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) over 1year: continuous daily, noncyclic LNG90 μg/EE 20 μg and 21-day cyclic LNG100 μg/EE 20 μg. The study involved~641 women who took either versionof the oral contraceptive in the form of13 pill packs over the course of 12months. The study authors noted that amajority of women taking the continuousdaily LNG/EE combination reportedamenorrhea: 27.1% at pill pack 3,39.6% at pill pack 7, and 52.9% at pillpack 13. The researchers also noted anincrease in the percentage of participantswho experienced no bleedingwith subsequent pill packs: 50%, 69%,and 79% at packs 3, 7, and 13, respectively.The researchers concluded thatthese results showed that the noncyclicregimen has a similar safety profile,compared with the established 21-day regimen. The study results werepresented at the Annual Meeting of theAmerican College of Obstetricians andGynecologists on May 8, 2006.

Ms. Farley is a freelance medicalwriter based in Wakefield, RI.