What are the names of oral contraceptives containing desogestrel?

From the Guidelines

Oral contraceptives containing desogestrel include Mircette, Kariva, Desogen, Ortho-Cept, Apri, Azurette, Caziant, Cyclessa, Velivet, and Marvelon. These medications are combination oral contraceptives that contain both desogestrel (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen) 1. They work by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to block sperm, and thinning the uterine lining to prevent implantation. Desogestrel is considered a third-generation progestin and may have a different side effect profile compared to older progestins, with potentially less androgenic effects (like acne and hair growth) 1. However, some studies suggest a slightly higher risk of blood clots compared to pills containing older progestins 1.

Key Points

• Desogestrel is a third-generation progestin with less androgenic effects
• Oral contraceptives containing desogestrel are effective in preventing pregnancy with perfect use resulting in over 99% effectiveness
• These contraceptives are typically taken daily for 21 days followed by 7 days of placebo pills or no pills, during which withdrawal bleeding occurs
• The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increased with the use of third-generation oral contraceptives, including those containing desogestrel 1

Important Considerations

• Patients should be aware of the potential increased risk of blood clots associated with desogestrel-containing oral contraceptives
• A thorough medical history and physical examination should be performed before prescribing these medications
• Patients should be counseled on the importance of consistent and correct use to ensure effectiveness in preventing pregnancy 1

From the FDA Drug Label

PimtreaTM (Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets, USP and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets, USP) The names of oral contraceptives containing desogestrel include:

• PimtreaTM 2 Note that the provided drug labels only mention PimtreaTM as an oral contraceptive containing desogestrel.

From the Research

Oral Contraceptives Containing Desogestrel

The following are names of oral contraceptives containing desogestrel:

• Marvelon 3, 4, 5, 6
• Mercilon 5, 7
• Desolett 5

Key Characteristics

These oral contraceptives have been studied for their contraceptive efficacy, cycle control, and side effects:

• High contraceptive efficacy 3, 4, 5, 7
• Good cycle control, with some variations depending on the specific formulation 3, 4, 5, 7
• Minimal side effects, including irregular bleeding, which tends to decrease over time 3, 4, 5, 7