--- Erik Reuter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Have you heard of that new contraceptive patch? I > saw a commercial for > it, but I can't remember the name. I haven't seen > any studies about effectiveness or side effects.
Alora. A Medline search gave 3 hits. One has no abstract. Another is actually about the patch adhesive itself, not the efficacy of the medicated patch. The Dec 2001 article abstract: Transdermal contraception. Creasy GW, Abrams LS, Fisher AC. The R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Raritan, New Jersey 08869, USA. "This review summarizes the clinical studies involving the once-weekly Ortho Evra/Evra contraceptive patch. The patch delivers norelgestromin (NGMN), 150 microg, and ethinyl estradiol (EE), 20 microg, daily to the systemic circulation. The contraceptive patch provided ovulation suppression and cycle control similar to that of oral norgestimate 250 microg/EE 35 microg, significantly decreased mean maximum follicular diameter following a 3-day intentional delayed dosing phase when compared with oral levonorgestrel (LNG) 50/75/125 microg/EE 30/40/30 micorg and oral LNG 100 microg/EE 20 microg, and was as effective as oral LNG 50/75/125 microg/EE 30/40/30 microg and oral desogestrel 150 microg/EE 20 microg in altering cervical mucus composition (i.e., creating a scanty, viscous consistency). The contraceptive patch provided efficacy, cycle control, and safety comparable to that seen with oral LNG 50/75/125 microg/EE 30/40/30 microg, but women were able to correctly follow the weekly dosing regimen significantly more often than the daily oral contraceptive dosing regimen. Less than 2% of patches were replaced because of complete detachment in these trials. The patch was not associated with phototoxicity or photoallergy. The contraceptive patch, the only noninvasive, weekly birth control method that a woman can self-administer, will be a valuable addition to current contraceptive options." In other words, it is comparable to 3rd generation OCPs, with patch detachment roughly cancelled out by ease of administration/lack of missed pills. Potential side effects are ~ the same as OCPs - bloating, nausea, increased risk of blood clots in smokers, etc. Theoretically, side effects should be less, because of the lack of a "first pass" through the liver (being transdermal, all of the dose does not get passed through the liver as any oral drug does, and so it should be less toxic). Debbi __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive greatest hits videos http://launch.yahoo.com/u2 _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
