Oral Progestins in Hormonal Contraception: Importance and Future Perspectives of a New Progestin Only-Pill Containing 4 mg Drospirenone

Abstract Hormonal contraceptives are an effective and safe method for preventing pregnancy. Progestins used in contraception are either components of combined hormonal contraceptives (tablets, patches or vaginal rings) or are used as a single active ingredient in progestin mono-preparations (the pro...

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Published in:Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde 2021-09, Vol.81 (9), p.1021-1030
Main Authors: Römer, Thomas, Bitzer, Johannes, Egarter, Christian, Hadji, Peyman, Kiechle, Marion, Kramer, Heike, Oppelt, Patricia G., Peters, Klaus, Stute, Petra, Schaudig, Katrin, Wiegratz, Inka, Regidor, Pedro-Antonio
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Language:English
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GebFra Science
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Summary:Abstract Hormonal contraceptives are an effective and safe method for preventing pregnancy. Progestins used in contraception are either components of combined hormonal contraceptives (tablets, patches or vaginal rings) or are used as a single active ingredient in progestin mono-preparations (the progestin-only pill (POP), implants, intrauterine systems or depot preparations). Progestins are highly effective in long-term contraception when used properly, and have a very good safety profile with very few contraindications. A new oestrogen-free ovulation inhibitor (POP) has recently been authorised in the USA and the EU. This progestin mono-preparation contains 4 mg of drospirenone (DRSP), which has anti-gonadotropic, anti-mineralocorticoidic and anti-androgenic properties. The hormone administration regimen of 24 days followed by a 4-day hormone-free period was chosen to improve bleeding control and to maintain oestradiol concentrations at early follicular-phase levels, preventing oestrogen deficiency. Clinical trials have demonstrated a high contraceptive effectiveness, a very low risk of cardiovascular side effects and a favourable menstrual bleeding pattern. Due to the long half-life of DRSP (30 – 34 hours), the effectiveness of the preparation is maintained even if a woman forgets to take a pill on a single occasion. Studies involving deliberate 24-hour delays in taking a pill have demonstrated that ovulation inhibition is maintained if a single pill is missed. Following a summary of the current status of oestrogen-free contraception, this review article will describe the clinical development programme of the 4 mg DRSP mono-preparation and the resulting data on the effectiveness and safety of this new oestrogen-free oral hormonal contraceptive. Zusammenfassung Hormonelle Kontrazeptiva stellen eine effektive und sichere Methode der Schwangerschaftsverhütung dar. Die Gestagene, die in der Kontrazeption verwendet werden, sind entweder Bestandteil kombinierter hormoneller Kontrazeptiva (Tabletten, Pflaster oder Vaginalringe) oder werden als einzelner Wirkstoff in Gestagen-Monopräparaten (Tabletten [im englischen Sprachgebrauch „POP“ = Progestin-only-Pill], Implantate, Intrauterinsysteme oder Depotpräparate) eingesetzt. Gestagene sind in der Langzeitverhütung bei adäquater Anwendung höchst effektiv und haben ein sehr gutes Sicherheitsprofil mit nur wenigen Kontraindikationen. Kürzlich wurde ein neuer östrogenfreier Ovulationshemmer (POP) in den USA und der EU
ISSN:0016-5751
1438-8804
DOI:10.1055/a-1471-4408