Desogestrel

Indications

Desogestrel is used for: Oral contraception

Adult Dose

Oral Oral contraception Adult: 75 mcg daily when used alone. For monophasic combined oral contraceptives: Typically, 150 mcg daily; for triphasic combined oral contraceptives: 50-150 mcg daily.

Child Dose

Renal Dose

Administration

Contra Indications

Pregnancy, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, severe arterial disease; liver adenoma, porphyria; after evacuation of hydatidiform mole; history of breast cancer.

Precautions

Heart disease, sex-steroid dependent cancer, past ectopic pregnancy, malabsorption syndromes, functional ovarian cysts, active liver disease, recurrent cholestatic jaundice, history of jaundice in pregnancy, history of CV or renal impairment, DM, asthma, epilepsy, migraine, depression and thromboembolism; lactation.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

Reduced efficacy with enzyme-inducing drugs; aminoglutethimide. May inhibit ciclosporin metabolism.

Side Effects

Side effects of Desogestrel : Menstrual irregularities; nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, breast discomfort, gynecomastia, depression, skin disorders, disturbance of appetite, wt changes, fluid retention, oedema, changes in libido, cholestatic jaundice, hair loss or hirsutism.

Mode of Action

Desogestrel is a progestogen structurally related to levonorgestrel that has been shown to reliably inhibit ovulation.