Overview
DESCRIPTION Volnea™ (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP) provides an oral contraceptive regimen of 21 white round tablets each containing 0.15 mg desogestrel (13-ethyl-11- methylene-18,19-dinor-17 alpha-pregn- 4-en- 20-yn-17-ol), 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol (19-nor-17 alpha-pregna-1,3,5 (10)-trien-20-yne-3,17-diol), and inactive ingredients which...
Mechanism of Action
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Combination oral contraceptives act by suppression of gonadotropins. Although the primary mechanism of this action is inhibition of ovulation, other alterations include changes in the cervical mucus (which increase the difficulty of sperm entry into the uterus) and the endometrium (which reduce the likelihood of implantation). Receptor binding studies, as well as studies in animals, have shown that etonogestrel, the biologically active metabolite of desogestrel, combines high progestational activity with minimal intrinsic androgenicity (91, 92). The relevance of this latter finding in humans is unknown. Pharmacokinetics Absorption Desogestrel is rapidly and almost completely absorbed and converted into etonogestrel, its biologically active metabolite.
Indications
- INDICATIONS AND USAGE Volnea™ (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol) tablets are indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use this product as a method of contraception. Oral contraceptives are highly effective. Table 2 lists the typical accidental pregnancy rates for users of combination oral contraceptives and other methods of contraception. The efficacy of these contraceptive methods, except sterilization, depends upon the reliability with which they are used. Correct and consistent use of these methods can result in lower failure rates.
Common Doses
- Refer to label
Dosage
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, Volnea™ (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol) tablets must be taken exactly as directed and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours Volnea ™ may be initiated using either a Sunday start or a Day 1 start. NOTE: Each blister card is preprinted with the days of the week, starting with Sunday, to facilitate a Sunday start regimen. Six different “day label strips” are provided with each blister card in order to accommodate a Day 1 start regimen.
Black Box Warning
BOXED WARNING Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day) and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age. Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke.
Contraindications
- CONTRAINDICATIONS Volnea is contraindicated in females who are known to have or develop the following conditions: • Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders • A past history of deep vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders • Cerebral vascular or coronary artery disease • Current diagnosis of, or history of, breast cancer, which may be hormone sensitive • Carcinoma of the endometrium or other known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia • Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding • Cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice with prior pill use • Hepatic adenomas or carcinomas •...
Side Effects
- ADVERSE REACTIONS Post Marketing Experience Five studies that compared breast cancer risk between ever-users (current or past use) of COCs and never-users of COCs reported no association between ever use of COCs and breast cancer risk, with effect estimates ranging from 0.90 - 1.12 (Figure 1). Three studies compared breast cancer risk between current or recent COC users (
Interactions
- No major interactions listed on the FDA label. Always consult a healthcare professional.