INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol tablets, chewable and ferrous fumarate 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 unintended pregnancy rates for users of combination oral contraceptives and other methods of contraception. The efficacy of these contraceptive methods, except sterilization, the IUD, and implants, depends upon the reliability with which they are used. Correct and consistent use of methods can result in lower failure rates.
TABLE 2 Percentage of women experiencing an unintended pregnancy during the first year of typical use and the first year of perfect use of contraception and the percentage continuing use at the end of the first year. United States.
% of Women Experiencing an
Unintended Pregnancy
within the First Year of Use
% of Women
Continuing Use
at One Year
3
Method
(1)
Typical Use
1
(2)
Perfect Use
2
(3)
(4)
Chance 4
85
85
Spermicides 5
26
6
40
Periodic abstinence
25
63
Calendar
9
Ovulation Method
3
Sympto-thermal 6
2
Post-Ovulation
1
Cap 7
Parous women
40
26
42
Nulliparous women
20
9
56
Sponge
Parous women
40
20
42
Nulliparous women
20
9
56
Diaphragm 7
20
6
56
Withdrawal
19
4
Condom 8
Female (Reality*)
21
5
56
Male
14
3
61
Pill
5
71
Progestin only
0.5
Combined
0.1
IUD
Progesterone T
2.0
1.5
81
Copper T 380A
0.8
0.6
78
LNg 20
0.1
0.1
81
Depo-Provera*
0.3
0.3
70
Norplant* and Norplant*2
0.05
0.05
88
Female Sterilization
0.5
0.5
100
Male Sterilization
0.15
0.10
100
Emergency Contraceptive Pills: Treatment initiated within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse reduces the risk of pregnancy by at least 75%. 9
Lactational Amenorrhea Method: LAM is a highly effective, temporary method of contraception. 10
Source: Trussell J, Stewart F, Contraceptive Efficacy. In Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Stewart F, Cates W, Stewart GK, Kowal D, Guest F, Contraceptive Technology: Seventeenth Revised Edition. New York, NY: Irvington Publishers, 1998.
1 Among typical couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason
2 Among couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time) and who use it perfectly (both consistently and correctly), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason
3 Among couples attempting to avoid pregnancy, the percentage who continue to use a method for one year
4 The percentage of women becoming pregnant noted in columns (2) and (3) are based on data from populations where contraception is not used and from women who cease using contraception in order to become pregnant. Among such populations, about 89% became pregnant in one year.
This estimate was lowered slightly (to 85%) to represent the percentage that would become pregnant within one year among women now relying on reversible methods of contraception if they abandon contraception altogether
5 Foams, creams, gels, vaginal suppositories and vaginal film
6 Cervical mucus (ovulation) method supplemented by calendar in the preovulatory and basal body temperature in the postovulatory phases
7 With spermicidal cream or jelly
8 Without spermicides
9 The treatment schedule is one dose within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse and a second dose 12 hours after the first dose. The Food and Drug Administration has declared the following brands of oral contraceptives to be safe and effective for emergency contraception: Ovral* (1 dose is 2 white pills), Alesse* (1 dose is 5 pink pills), Nordette* or Levlen* (1 dose is 2 light orange pills), Lo-Ovral* (1 dose is 4 white pills), Triphasil* or Tri-Levlen* (1 dose is 4 yellow pills)
10 However, to maintain effective protection against pregnancy, another method of contraception must be used as soon as menstruation resumes, the frequency or duration of breastfeeds is reduced, bottle feeds are introduced or the baby reaches six months of age