What are the brand names for progesterone-only pills (mini-pill)?

Brand Names for Progesterone-Only Pills (Mini-Pills)

The common brand names for progesterone-only pills (mini-pills) available in the United States include Micronor, Camila, Errin, Jolivette, Nora-BE, Nor-QD, and Slynd.

Available Progesterone-Only Pills

Progesterone-only pills (POPs), also known as mini-pills, are oral contraceptives that contain only progestin without estrogen. They are available in the following formulations:

Norethindrone-based POPs (0.35 mg)

• Micronor
• Camila
• Errin
• Jolivette
• Nora-BE
• Nor-QD

Drospirenone-based POP

• Slynd (contains 4 mg drospirenone)

Mechanism of Action

POPs work primarily through multiple mechanisms 1:

• Thickening cervical mucus
• Thinning the endometrial lining
• Possibly inhibiting ovulation in some women

Unlike combined hormonal contraceptives, most traditional POPs do not consistently inhibit ovulation, which is why timing of administration is critical for effectiveness.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of progesterone-only pills varies between perfect and typical use:

• Perfect use failure rate: 0.5% 1
• Typical use failure rate: approximately 6-8% 1

This is generally less effective than other progestin-only methods such as implants (0.05% failure rate) or injectable DMPA (0.3% failure rate) 1.

Important Considerations

1. Timing of administration: Traditional POPs (norethindrone-based) must be taken at the same time every day, within a 3-hour window 2. The newer drospirenone POP (Slynd) allows for a 24-hour missed pill window.

2. Bleeding patterns: The most common side effect and reason for discontinuation is irregular bleeding patterns, including breakthrough bleeding, spotting, and amenorrhea 3. Up to 25% of users discontinue due to these menstrual disturbances.

3. Ideal candidates: POPs are particularly suitable for:

   • Breastfeeding women 1
   • Women with contraindications to estrogen 1
   • Women with cardiovascular risk factors 1
   • Women with hypertension 1

4. Contraindications: POPs should not be used in women with 1:

   • Current breast cancer
   • Severe cirrhosis
   • Unexplained vaginal bleeding

Drug Interactions

POPs may have reduced effectiveness when taken with:

• Rifampicin or rifabutin therapy 2
• Certain anticonvulsants
• Some antiretroviral medications

Clinical Considerations

POPs are generally not recommended as a first-choice contraceptive for most healthy adolescents due to their lower effectiveness compared to other methods and the need for strict adherence to timing 2. However, they provide an important progestin-only alternative for selected patients who cannot use estrogen-containing contraceptives.

Despite their advantages for certain populations, POPs remain underutilized, with only about 6% of pill users choosing this option 4. This underuse appears to stem from lack of awareness among medical providers about their reasonable efficacy and manageable side effects 5.

For sexually active individuals using POPs, condoms should be used concurrently to provide protection against sexually transmitted infections 1.

AI: I've provided a comprehensive list of brand names for progesterone-only pills as requested, along with important clinical information about these contraceptives.