INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives as a method of contraception.
Oral contraceptives are highly effective. TABLE II 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, the IUD, and levonorgestrel implants, depends upon the reliability with which they are used. Correct and consistent use of methods can result in lower failure rates.
TABLE II: 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.
Source: Trussell J, 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.
% of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy within the First Year of Use
% of Women Continuing Use at One YearAmong couples attempting to avoid pregnancy, the percentage who continue to use a method for one year.
Method(1)
Typical UseAmong typical couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time), the percentage who experience an unintended pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason.
(2)
Perfect UseAmong 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 unintended pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason.
(3)
(4)
ChanceThe percentages of women becoming pregnant 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% become pregnant within one year. This estimate was lowered slightly (to 85%) to represent the percentage who would become pregnant within one year among women now relying on reversible methods of contraception if they abandoned contraception altogether.
85
85
SpermicidesFoams, creams, gels, vaginal suppositories and vaginal film.
26
6
40
Periodic abstinence
25
63
Calendar
9
Ovulation method
3
Sympto-thermal Cervical mucus (ovulation) method supplemented by calendar in the pre-ovulatory and basal body temperature in the post-ovulatory phases.
2
Post-ovulation
1
Withdrawal
19
4
Cap With spermicidal cream or jelly.
Parous women
40
26
42
Nulliparous women
20
9
56
Sponge
Parous women
40
20
42
Nulliparous women
20
9
56
Diaphragm
20
6
56
Condom Without spermicides.
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:: The FDA has concluded that certain combined oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel or levonorgestrel are safe and effective for use as postcoital emergency contraception. Treatment initiated within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse reduces the risk of pregnancy by at least 75% The treatment schedule is one dose within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, and a second dose 12 hours after the first dose. The FDA has declared the following dosage regimens of oral contraceptives to be safe and effective for emergency contraception: for tablets containing 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 500 mcg of norgestrel 1 dose is 2 tablets; for tablets containing 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 100 mcg of levonorgestrel 1 dose is 5 tablets; for tablets containing 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 150 mcg of levonorgestrel 1 dose is 4 tablets.
Lactational Amenorrhea Method: LAM is a highly effective, temporary method of contraception.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.