Mircette

MIRCETTE?(desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol) Tablets has excellent cycle control as demonstrated by clinical trials. The regimen begins with 21 days of 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 150 mcg desogestrel. The last seven days in the cycle start with two days of placebo pills, followed by five days of 10 mcg ethinyl estradiol pills.

MIRCETTE?(desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol) Tablets has excellent cycle control as demonstrated by clinical trials. The regimen begins with 21 days of 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 150 mcg desogestrel. The last seven days in the cycle start with two days of placebo pills, followed by five days of 10 mcg ethinyl estradiol pills.

MIRCETTE?reduces the daily estrogen dose from the commonly prescribed 30-35 mcg level, while maintaining excellent cycle control and favorable tolerability.

In clinical trials with 13,760 cycles, the incidence of breakthrough bleeding on MIRCETTE?was 3.5% and the incidence of breakthrough spotting was 8.9%.1

MIRCETTE?has been available in the U.S. since July 1998.

The United States is the first country in which MIRCETTE?is available.

OCs do not protect against HIV (AIDS) infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. The use of OCs is associated with increased risks of several serious side effects, including thromboembolic diseases. Some studies suggest that this risk is slightly increased by OCs containing desogestrel; additional studies do not support this finding. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects; women who take OCs are strongly advised not to smoke.

Ortho-Cept 21 and Ortho-Cept 28 tablets provide an oral contraceptive regimen of 21 orange round tablets each containing 0.15 mg desogestrel (13-ethyl-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-17 alpha-pregn-4-en- 20-yn-17-ol) and 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol (19-nor-17 alpha-pregna-1,3,5 (10)-trien-20-yne-3,17,diol). Inactive ingredients include vitamin E, corn starch, povidone, stearic acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, talc and ferric oxide. Ortho-Cept 28 also contains 7 green tablets containing the following inactive ingredients: lactose, pregelatinized starch, magnesium stearate, FD&C blue no. 1 aluminum lake, ferric oxide, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide and talc.

What is Mircette

Mircette? is a "biphasic" oral contraceptive pill. This means that the hormones contained in the tablets are delivered in two stages. Mircette contains 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen, and 150 mcg of desogestrel, a progestin. The last seven tablets start with two days of "inactive" pills, or placebos and 5 days of 10 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. Since Mircette is a very low-dose oral contraceptive, that is it contains reduced amounts of the hormone estrogen, it may help prevent side effects such as nausea and breast tenderness.

This product combines natural or synthetic estrogens and progestins, similar to the natural sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) produced in a woman's body. Ethinyl estradiol is an estrogen and desogestrel is a progestin. These products can prevent ovulation and pregnancy. In general, a combination of estrogen and progestin works better than a single-ingredient product. Ethinyl estradiol/desogestrel tablets can also help regulate menstrual flow, treat acne or may be used for other hormone related problems in females.

How to use Mircette

Take mircette pills by mouth. Before you start taking these pills decide what is a suitable time of day and always take them at the same time of day and in the order directed. Swallow the pills with a drink of water. Take with food to reduce stomach upset. Do not take more often than directed.

Most products (except Mircette?) contain a 21-day supply of pills containing the active ingredients. Some products contain an additional 7 pills containing iron or inactive ingredients to be taken during the week of menstruation; this reduces the chance of missing the first day of the next cycle. Most products are to be started on the first Sunday after you start your period or on the first day of your period. You may need to ask your health care provider which day you should start your packet.

If you are taking the Mircette? product, most of the 28 tablets contain active hormones. This product should be started on the first Sunday after you start your period or on the first day of your period.

Before starting this medication, read the paper on your prescription provided by your pharmacist. This paper will tell you about the specific product you are taking. Make certain you understand the instructions.

Keep an extra month's supply of your pills available to ensure that you will not miss the first day of the next cycle.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Mircette Side Effects

Severe side effects are relatively rare in women who are healthy and do not smoke while they are taking oral contraceptives. On average, more women have problems due to complications from getting pregnant than have problems with oral contraceptives. Many of the minor side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, the potential for severe side effects does exist and you may want to discuss these with your health care provider.

The following symptoms or side effects may be related to blood clots and require immediate medical or emergency help: chest pain; coughing up blood; dizziness or fainting spells; leg, arm or groin pain; severe or sudden headaches; stomach pain (severe); sudden shortness of breath; sudden loss of coordination, especially on one side of the body; swelling of the hands, feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain; vision or speech problems; weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, especially on one side of the body.

Other serious side effects are rare. Contact your health care provider as soon as you can if the following side effects occur: breast tissue changes or discharge; changes in vaginal bleeding during your period or between your periods; headaches or migraines; increases in blood sugar, especially if you have diabetes; increases in blood pressure, especially if you are known to have high blood pressure; symptoms of vaginal infection (itching, irritation or unusual discharge); tenderness in the upper abdomen; vomiting; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your health care provider if they continue or are bothersome): breakthrough bleeding and spotting that continues beyond the 3 initial cycles of pills; breast tenderness; mild stomach upset; mood changes, anxiety, depression, frustration, anger, or emotional outbursts; increased or decreased appetite; increased sensitivity to sun or ultraviolet light; nausea; skin rash, acne, or brown spots on the skin; tiredness; weight gain.

Mircette DRUG INTERACTIONS:

Antibiotics or medicines for infections, especially rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, and griseofulvin; aprepitant, a medicine used for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting; barbiturate medicines for producing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions); bosentan; carbamazepine; caffeine; clofibrate; cyclosporine; dantrolene; grapefruit juice; hydrocortisone; medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam; medicines for mental depression; medicines for diabetes, including troglitazone and pioglitazone; mineral oil; modafinil; mycophenolate; nefazodone; oxcarbazepine; phenytoin; prednisolone; ritonavir or other medicines for the treatment of the HIV virus or AIDS; selegiline; soy isoflavones supplements; St. John's wort; tamoxifen or raloxifene; theophylline; topiramate; warfarin.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medicines.