NORELGESTROMIN-ETH ESTRADIOL (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol)


Drug overview for NORELGESTROMIN-ETH ESTRADIOL (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol):

Generic name: NORELGESTROMIN/ETHINYL ESTRADIOL (NOR-el-JES-troe-min/ETH-i-nil ES-tra-DYE-ol)
Drug class: Contraceptives
Therapeutic class: Contraceptives

Estradiol (a principal endogenous estrogen) is a steroidal estrogen. Progestins elicit, to varying degrees, all the pharmacologic responses usually produced by progesterone.

Progesterone is used to support embryo implantation and early pregnancy by supplementing corpus luteal function as part of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment of infertile women. Progestins are used in the treatment of functional uterine bleeding caused by hormonal imbalance and involving a hyperplastic nonsecretory endometrium and the absence of underlying organic pathology such as fibroids or uterine cancer, and for the treatment of primary and secondary amenorrhea in the presence of estrogen. Medroxyprogesterone also is used in the adjunctive and palliative treatment of some cancers.

(See the individual monographs in 68:32.) Some progestins are used alone or in combination with estrogens for the prevention of conception. (See Progestins 68:12 and Estrogen-Progestin Combinations 68:12.) Medroxyprogesterone prevents follicular maturation and ovulation following IM administration, and the drug has been used parenterally for contraception. (See Uses: Contraception in Females in Medroxyprogesterone Acetate 68:32.) Progestins (e.g., drospirenone, medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone acetate, norgestimate, progesterone) are used to reduce the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia and the attendant risk of endometrial carcinoma in postmenopausal women receiving estrogen replacement therapy.

(See Uses: Prevention of Endometrial Changes Associated with Estrogens in Medroxyprogesterone Acetate 68:32.) Morphologic and biochemical studies of the endometrium suggest that 10-13 days of progestin are needed to provide maximum maturation of the endometrium and to eliminate any hyperplastic changes. For other uses of progestins, see Uses in Medroxyprogesterone Acetate 68:32. Although progestins have been used beginning in the first trimester of pregnancy to prevent habitual abortion or to treat threatened abortion, there is no adequate evidence from well-controlled studies to substantiate the efficacy of progestins for these uses; however, there is evidence of potential adverse effects on the fetus when these drugs are administered during the first 4 months of pregnancy.

(See Cautions: Pregnancy and Lactation.) Although some progestins were previously used to induce withdrawal bleeding as a test for pregnancy when laboratory tests were not readily available, progestins are currently contraindicated for this use.
DRUG IMAGES
  • NORELGESTROM-EE 150-35 MCG/DAY
    NORELGESTROM-EE 150-35 MCG/DAY
The following indications for NORELGESTROMIN-ETH ESTRADIOL (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol) have been approved by the FDA:

Indications:
Pregnancy contraception


Professional Synonyms:
Contraception