Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol

Dosage form: tablets
Drug class:Contraceptives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 24, 2022.

NORGESTREL 0.3 mg/ETHINYL ESTRADIOL 0.03 mg
Tablets
(Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol TABLETS)

Patients should be counseled that oral contraceptives do not protect against transmission of HIV (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and syphilis.

DESCRIPTION

21 white NORGESTREL/ETHINYL ESTRADIOL tablets, each containing 0.3 mg of norgestrel (dl-13-beta-ethyl-17-alpha-ethinyl-17-beta-hydroxygon-4-en-3-one), a totally synthetic progestogen, and 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol (19-nor-17α-pregna-1,3,5 (10)-trien-20-yne-3,17-diol), and 7 pink inert tablets. The inactive ingredients present are cellulose, D&C Red 30, lactose, magnesium stearate, and polacrilin potassium.

Norgestrel
C21H28O2 M.W. 312.45

Ethinyl Estradiol
C20H24O2 M.W. 296.40

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Mode of Action

Combination oral contraceptives act by suppression of gonadotropins. Although the primary mechanism of this action is inhibition of ovulation, other alterations include changes in the cervical mucus (which increase the difficulty of sperm entry into the uterus) and the endometrium (which reduce the likelihood of implantation).

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Oral contraceptives are indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives as a method of contraception.