Authors: Fenton, Caroline; Wellington, Keri; Moen, Marit D.; Robinson, Dean M.

Source: Drugs, Volume 67, Number 12, 2007 , pp. 1749-1765(17)

Publisher: Adis International

Abstract:

Drospirenone 3mg with ethinylestradiol 20µg (Yaz^®) is a low-dose combined oral contraceptive (COC) administered in a regimen of 24 days of active tablets followed by a short hormone-free interval (4 days; 24/4 regimen). Drospirenone, unlike other synthetic progestogens used in COCs, is a 17α-spirolactone derivative and a 17α-spironolactone analogue with antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic properties. Drospirenone/ethinylestradiol 3mg/20µg (24/4) is approved in the US for the prevention of pregnancy in women, for the treatment of the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris in women who wish to use an oral contraceptive for contraception.

Drospirenone/ethinylestradiol 3mg/20µg (24/4) provided 99% contraceptive protection over 1 year of treatment in two large studies. The same treatment regimen over three treatment cycles also significantly improved the emotional and physical symptoms associated with PMDD, and improved moderate acne vulgaris over six treatment cycles in double-blind trials. It was generally well tolerated, with adverse events generally typical of those experienced with other COCs and which were most likely to occur in the first few cycles. Clinical trials indicate that drospirenone/ethinylestradiol 3mg/20µg (24/4) is a good long-term contraceptive option, and additionally offers relief of symptoms that characterise PMDD and has a favourable effect on moderate acne vulgaris.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris; Adis Drug Evaluations; Contraception; Ethinylestradiol/drospirenone; Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Wolters Kluwer Health | Adis, Auckland, New Zealand, an editorial office of Wolters Kluwer Health, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA

Publication date: 2007-01-01

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Pharmacology ,  Therapeutics & Alternative Medicine
• By this author: Fenton, Caroline ;  Wellington, Keri ;  Moen, Marit D. ;  Robinson, Dean M.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers