Drug reference
desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Drug class
Endocrine (Gonadal Hormones)
Mechanism of action
Ethinyl estradiol (EE): Reduces LHRH release from hypothalamus, reduces gonadotropin release from pituitary; increase synthesis of DNA, RNA, and various proteins in target tissues. Desogestrel: Progestin; inhibits gonadotropin secretion from pituitary; prevents follicular maturation & ovulation, stimulates growth of mammary tissues
Common side effects
- Edema
- Headache
- Arterial/venous thromboembolism
- Hypertension
- Migraine
- MI
- Cerebral hemorrhage
Boxed warnings
- Cigarette smoking & risk of cardiovascular disease Cigarette smoking increases risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects from combination hormonal contraceptive use This risk increases with age (>35 yr) and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes/day) Advise women who use hormonal oral contraceptives not to smoke
Contraindications
- Receiving hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to potential for ALT elevations
- Smoke, if age >35 years
- Diabetes mellitus with vascular involvement, jaundice with prior oral contraceptive use Inherited or acquired hypercoagulopathies
- Uncontrolled hypertension (ie, persistent BP values >160 mm Hg systolic or >100 mg Hg diastolic)
- Arterial thromboembolic disease (stroke, MI), thrombophlebitis, DVT/PE, thrombogenic valvular disease
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
What drug class is desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?
desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol belongs to: Endocrine.
How does desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol work?
Ethinyl estradiol (EE): Reduces LHRH release from hypothalamus, reduces gonadotropin release from pituitary; increase synthesis of DNA, RNA, and various proteins in target tissues. Desogestrel: Progestin; inhibits gonadotropin secretion from pituitary; prevents follicular maturation & ovulation, stimulates growth of mammary tissues
What are the common side effects of desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?
Edema, Headache, Arterial/venous thromboembolism, Hypertension, Migraine, MI, Cerebral hemorrhage
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