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Azurette

desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol · Kit

Prescription ANDA TE AB Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information.

Overview

Brand name
Azurette
Generic name
desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol
Dosage form
Kit
Route
—
Marketing category
ANDA · ANDA
Labeler
Mayne Pharma Inc.
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
0
NDC product codes
2
Packages
5
Data completeness
76% of corroborating sources present

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Kit
Route of administration
—
Presentations
7

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
091247
Application type
ANDA · Abbreviated New Drug Application
Approval date
August 1, 2013
Sponsor
NOVAST LABS
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
6
Products approved under application 091247.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
091247-001 PIMTREA TABLET DESOGESTREL; ETHINYL ESTRADIOL Prescription AB

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AB
Reference Listed Drug
No
Reference Standard
No

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 091247.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 10 Labeling Approved July 8, 2024 Standard
Supplement 9 Labeling Approved April 29, 2022 Standard
Supplement 8 Labeling Approved December 31, 2020 Standard
Supplement 3 Labeling Approved October 28, 2019 Standard
Supplement 2 Labeling Approved August 9, 2017 Standard
Original application 1 Approved August 1, 2013 —

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20250908). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20250908 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20240625

Boxed Warning

openFDA Drug Labeling

WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive (COC) use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. For this reason, COCs, including AZURETTE are contraindicated in women who are over 35 years of age and smoke (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS ).

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day) and is quite marked in women over 35 years of age. Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke.

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Azurette (Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP) is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use this product as a method of contraception. Oral contraceptives are highly effective. Table II lists the typical accidental pregnancy rates for users of combination oral contraceptives and other methods of contraception. The efficacy of these contraceptive methods, except sterilization, depends upon the reliability with which they are used. Correct and consistent use of these methods can result in lower failure rates. TABLE II : Percentage of women experiencing an unintended pregnancy during the first year of typical use and the first year of perfect use of contraception and the percentage continuing use at the end of the first year, United States. % of Women Experiencing an Unintended Pregnancy within the First Year of Use % of Women Continuing Use at One Year 3 Method Typical Use 1 Perfect Use 2 ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) Chance 4 85 85 Spermicides 5 26 6 40 Periodic abstinence 25 63 Calendar 9 Ovulation Method 3 Sympto-Thermal 6 2 Post-Ovulation 1 Withdrawal 19 4 Cap 7 Parous Women 40 26 42 Nulliparous Women 20 9 56 Sponge Parous Women 40 20 42 Nulliparous Women 20 9 56 Diaphragm 7 20 6 56 Condom 8 Female (Reality) 21 5 56 Male 14 3 61 Pill 5 71 Progestin Only 0.5 Combined 0.1 IUD Progesterone T 2.0 1.5 81 Copper T 380A 0.8 0.6 78 LNg 20 0.1 0.1 81 Depo-Provera 0.3 0.3 70 Norplant and Norplant-2 0.05 0.05 88 Female sterilization 0.5 0.5 100 Male sterilization 0.15 0.10 100 Adapted from Hatcher et al., 1998, Ref#1. 1 Among typical couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason. 2 Among couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time) and who use it perfectly (both consistently and correctly), the percentage who experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year if they do not stop use for any other reason. 3 Among couples attempting to avoid pregnancy, the percentage who continue to use a method for one year. 4 The percents becoming pregnant in columns (2) and (3) are based on data from populations where contraception is not used and from women who cease using contraception in order to become pregnant. Among such populations, about 89% become pregnant within one year. This estimate was lowered slightly (to 85%) to represent the percent who would become pregnant within one year among women now relying on reversible methods of contraception if they abandoned contraception altogether. 5 Foams, creams, gels, vaginal suppositories, and vaginal film. 6 Cervical mucus (ovulation) method supplemented by calendar in the pre-ovulatory and basal body temperature in the post-ovulatory phases. 7 With spermicidal cream or jelly. 8 Without spermicides.

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, Azurette (Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP) must be taken exactly as directed and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours. Azurette may be initiated using either a Sunday start or a Day 1 start. NOTE: Each cycle pack dispenser is preprinted with the days of the week, starting with Sunday, to facilitate a Sunday start regimen. Six different "day label stickers" are provided with each cycle pack dispenser in order to accommodate a Day 1 start regimen. In this case, the patient should place the self-adhesive "day label sticker" that corresponds to her starting day over the preprinted days. IMPORTANT: The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of use of Azurette should be considered. The use of Azurette for contraception may be initiated 4 weeks postpartum in women who elect not to breast feed. When the tablets are administered during the postpartum period, the increased risk of thromboembolic disease associated with the postpartum period must be considered (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS concerning thromboembolic disease. See also PRECAUTIONS for Nursing Mothers ). If the patient starts on Azurette postpartum, and has not yet had a period, she should be instructed to use another method of contraception until a dark blue tablet has been taken daily for 7 days. SUNDAY START When initiating a Sunday start regimen, another method of contraception should be used until after the first 7 consecutive days of administration. Using a Sunday start, tablets are taken daily without interruption as follows: The first dark blue tablet should be taken on the first Sunday after menstruation begins (if menstruation begins on Sunday, the first dark blue tablet is taken on that day). One dark blue tablet is taken daily for 21 days, followed by 1 white (inert) tablet daily for 2 days and 1 green (active) tablet daily for 5 days. For all subsequent cycles, the patient then begins a new 28-tablet regimen on the next day (Sunday) after taking the last green tablet. [If switching from a Sunday Start oral contraceptive, the first Azurette (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol) tablet should be taken on the second Sunday after the last tablet of a 21 day regimen or should be taken on the first Sunday after the last inactive tablet of a 28 day regimen.] If a patient misses 1 dark blue tablet, she should take the missed tablet as soon as she remembers. If the patient misses 2 consecutive dark blue tablets in Week 1 or Week 2, the patient should take 2 tablets the day she remembers and 2 tablets the next day; thereafter, the patient should resume taking 1 tablet daily until she finishes the cycle pack. The patient should be instructed to use a back-up method of birth control if she has intercourse in the 7 days after missing pills. If the patient misses 2 consecutive dark blue tablets in the third week or misses 3 or more dark blue tablets in a row at any time during the cycle, the patient should keep taking 1 dark blue tablet daily until the next Sunday. On Sunday the patient should throw out the rest of that cycle pack and start a new cycle pack that same day. The patient should be instructed to use a back-up method of birth control if she has intercourse in the 7 days after missing pills. DAY 1 START Counting the first day of menstruation as "Day 1", tablets are taken without interruption as follows: One dark blue tablet daily for 21 days, one white (inert) tablet daily for 2 days followed by 1 green (ethinyl estradiol) tablet daily for 5 days. For all subsequent cycles, the patient then begins a new 28-tablet regimen on the next day after taking the last green tablet. [If switching directly from another oral contraceptive, the first dark blue tablet should be taken on the first day of menstruation which begins after the last ACTIVE tablet of the previous product.] If a patient misses 1 dark blue tab …

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

CONTRAINDICATIONS Oral contraceptives should not be used in women who currently have the following conditions: • Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders • A past history of deep vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders • Cerebral vascular or coronary artery disease • Known or suspected carcinoma of the breast • Carcinoma of the endometrium or other known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia • Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding • Cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice with prior pill use • Hepatic adenomas or carcinomas • Known or suspected pregnancy • Are receiving Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, due to the potential for ALT elevations (see Warnings , RISK OF LIVER ENZYME ELEVATIONS WITH CONCOMITANT HEPATITIS C TREATMENT ).

WARNINGS The use of oral contraceptives is associated with increased risks of several serious conditions including myocardial infarction, thromboembolism, stroke, hepatic neoplasia, and gallbladder disease, although the risk of serious morbidity or mortality is very small in healthy women without underlying risk factors. The risk of morbidity and mortality increases significantly in the presence of other underlying risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemias, obesity, and diabetes. Practitioners prescribing oral contraceptives should be familiar with the following information relating to these risks. The information contained in this package insert is principally based on studies carried out in patients who used oral contraceptives with formulations of higher doses of estrogens and progestogens than those in common use today. The effect of long-term use of the oral contraceptives with formulations of lower doses of both estrogens and progestogens remains to be determined. Throughout this labeling, epidemiologic studies reported are of two types: retrospective or case control studies and prospective or cohort studies. Case control studies provide a measure of the relative risk of a disease, namely, a ratio of the incidence of a disease among oral contraceptive users to that among non-users. The relative risk does not provide information on the actual clinical occurrence of a disease. Cohort studies provide a measure of attributable risk, which is the difference in the incidence of disease between oral contraceptive users and non-users. The attributable risk does provide information about the actual occurrence of a disease in the population (Adapted from refs. 2 and 3 with the authors' permission). For further information, the reader is referred to a text on epidemiologic methods. 1. THROMBOEMBOLIC DISORDER AND OTHER VASCULAR PROBLEMS a. Thromboembolism An increased risk of thromboembolic and thrombotic disease associated with the use of oral contraceptives is well established. Case control studies have found the relative risk of users compared to non-users to be 3 for the first episode of superficial venous thromboembolic disease, 4 to 11 for deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, and 1.5 to 6 for women with predisposing conditions for venous thromboembolic disease. 2,3,19–24 Cohort studies have shown the relative risk to be somewhat lower, about 3 for new cases and about 4.5 for new cases requiring hospitalization. 25 The risk of thromboembolic disease associated with oral contraceptives is not related to length of use and disappears after pill use is stopped. 2 Several epidemiologic studies indicate that third generation oral contraceptives, including those containing desogestrel, are associated with a higher risk of venous thromboembolism than certain second generation oral contraceptives. 102–104 In general, these studies indicate an approximate two-fold increased risk, which corresponds to an additional 1 to 2 cases of venous thromboembolism per 10,000 women-years of use. However, data from additional studies have not shown this two-fold increase in risk. A two- to four-fold increase in relative risk of post-operative thromboembolic complications has been reported with the use of oral contraceptives. 9,26 The relative risk of venous thrombosis in women who have predisposing conditions is twice that of women without such medical conditions. 9,26 If feasible, oral contraceptives should be discontinued at least four weeks prior to and for two weeks after elective surgery of a type associated with an increase in risk of thromboembolism and during and following prolonged immobilization. Since the immediate postpartum period is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, oral contraceptives should be started no earlier than four weeks after delivery in women who elect not to breast feed. b. Myocardial infarction An increased risk of myocardial infarction has been attributed to oral contraceptive use. This r …

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

ADVERSE REACTIONS To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Toll-free at 1-888-375-3784 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . An increased risk of the following serious adverse reactions has been associated with the use of oral contraceptives (see WARNINGS section): Thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis with or without embolism Arterial thromboembolism Pulmonary embolism Myocardial infarction Cerebral hemorrhage Cerebral thrombosis Hypertension Gallbladder disease Hepatic adenomas or benign liver tumors Post Marketing Experience Five studies that compared breast cancer risk between ever-users (current or past use) of COCs and never-users of COCs reported no association between ever use of COCs and breast cancer risk, with effect estimates ranging from 0.90 - 1.12 (Figure 2). 64-68 Three studies compared breast cancer risk between current or recent COC users (<6 months since last use) and never users of COCs (Figure 2). 64,67,69 One of these studies reported no association between breast cancer risk and COC use. The other two studies found an increased relative risk of 1.19 to 1.33 with current or recent use. Both of these studies found an increased risk of breast cancer with current use of longer duration, with relative risks ranging from 1.03 with less than one year of COC use to approximately 1.4 with more than 8-10 years of COC use. FIGURE 2: RELEVANT STUDIES OF RISK OF BREAST CANCER WITH COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES RR = relative risk; OR = odds ratio; HR = hazard ratio. “ever COC” are females with current or past COC use; “never COC use” are females that never used COCs. There is evidence of an association between the following conditions and the use of oral contraceptives: Mesenteric thrombosis Retinal thrombosis The following adverse reactions have been reported in patients receiving oral contraceptives and are believed to be drug-related: Nausea Vomiting Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal cramps and bloating) Breakthrough bleeding Spotting Change in menstrual flow Amenorrhea Temporary infertility after discontinuation of treatment Edema Melasma which may persist Breast changes: tenderness, enlargement, secretion Change in weight (increase or decrease) Change in cervical erosion and secretion Diminution in lactation when given immediately postpartum Cholestatic jaundice Migraine Rash (allergic) Mental depression Reduced tolerance to carbohydrates Vaginal candidiasis Change in corneal curvature (steepening) Intolerance to contact lenses The following adverse reactions have been reported in users of oral contraceptives and the association has been neither confirmed nor refuted: Pre-menstrual syndrome Cataracts Changes in appetite Cystitis-like syndrome Headache Nervousness Dizziness Hirsutism Loss of scalp hair Erythema multiforme Erythema nodosum Hemorrhagic eruption Vaginitis Porphyria Impaired renal function Hemolytic uremic syndrome Acne Changes in libido Colitis Budd-Chiari Syndrome Figure2

Drug Interactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

7. Drug interactions Reduced efficacy and increased incidence of breakthrough bleeding and menstrual irregularities have been associated with concomitant use of rifampin. A similar association, though less marked, has been suggested with barbiturates, phenylbutazone, phenytoin sodium, carbamazepine and possibly with griseofulvin, ampicillin, and tetracyclines. 72 Combined hormonal contraceptives have been shown to significantly decrease plasma concentrations of lamotrigine when co-administered, likely due to induction of lamotrigine glucuronidation. This may reduce seizure control; therefore, dosage adjustments of lamotrigine may be necessary. Concomitant Use with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Combination Therapy – Liver Enzyme Elevation Co-administration of Azurettewith HCV drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir is contraindicated due to potential for ALT elevations ( see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS , RISK OF LIVER ENZYME ELEVATIONS WITH CONCOMITANT HEPATITIS C TREATMENT ). Co-administration of Azurette and glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is not recommended due to potential for ALT elevations. Consult the labeling of the concurrently-used drug to obtain further information about interactions with hormonal contraceptives or the potential for enzyme alterations.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

DESCRIPTION Azurette (Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets, USP and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets, USP) provide an oral contraceptive regimen of 21 dark blue tablets each containing 0.15 mg desogestrel (13-ethyl-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-17 alpha-pregn-4-en-20-yn-17-ol), 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol (19-nor-17 alpha-pregna-1,3,5 (10)-trien-20-yne-3,17-diol), and inactive ingredients which include: titanium dioxide, macrogol/PEG 400 NF, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose/hypromellose, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Blue #1, vitamin E, lactose monohydrate, povidone, stearic acid and pregelatinized starch, followed by 2 white tablets with the following inactive ingredients: titanium dioxide, polydextrose, hypromellose, triacetin, macrogol/polyethylene glycol 8000, lactose, magnesium stearate and pregelatinized corn starch. Azurette also contains 5 green tablets containing 0.01 mg ethinyl estradiol (19-nor-17 alpha-pregna-1,3,5 (10)-trien-20-yne-3,17-diol) and inactive ingredients which include: polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, talc, macrogol/PEG, lecithin (soya), D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Blue No. 1, Iron Oxide Yellow, FD&C Red No. 40, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate and pregelatinized starch. The molecular weights for desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol are 310.48 and 296.21 respectively. The structural formulas are as follows: The 21 dark blue tablets meet USP Dissolution Test 2. image-01

DESCRIPTION The following oral contraceptive product contains a combination of a progestin and estrogen, the two kinds of female hormones: Each dark blue tablet contains 0.15 mg desogestrel and 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol. Each white tablet contains inert ingredients and each green tablet contains 0.01 mg ethinyl estradiol.

OVERDOSAGE Serious ill effects have not been reported following acute ingestion of large doses of oral contraceptives by young children. Overdosage may cause nausea, and withdrawal bleeding may occur in females. NON-CONTRACEPTIVE HEALTH BENEFITS The following non-contraceptive health benefits related to the use of oral contraceptives are supported by epidemiologic studies which largely utilized oral contraceptive formulations containing estrogen doses exceeding 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol or 0.05 mg of mestranol. 73–78 Effects on menses: • increased menstrual cycle regularity • decreased blood loss and decreased incidence of iron deficiency anemia • decreased incidence of dysmenorrhea Effects related to inhibition of ovulation: • decreased incidence of functional ovarian cysts • decreased incidence of ectopic pregnancies Effects from long-term use: • decreased incidence of fibroadenomas and fibrocystic disease of the breast • decreased incidence of acute pelvic inflammatory disease • decreased incidence of endometrial cancer • decreased incidence of ovarian cancer

OVERDOSAGE Serious ill effects have not been reported following ingestion of large doses of oral contraceptives by young children. Overdosage may cause nausea and withdrawal bleeding in females. In case of overdosage, contact your doctor, healthcare provider or pharmacist.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

HOW SUPPLIED AZURETTE ® (Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets, USP) contain 21 round dark blue tablets, 2 round white tablets and 5 round green tablets in a blister card (NDC 51862-890-01) within a plastic dispenser. Each dark blue tablet (debossed with "M3" on one side) contains 0.15 mg desogestrel and 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol. Each white tablet (debossed with "P" on one side and the " N " on the other side) contains inert ingredients.Each green tablet (debossed with "M4" on one side) contains 0.01 mg ethinyl estradiol. AZURETTE Tablets are available in the following configurations: Carton of 1 NDC 51862-890-02 Carton of 3 NDC 51862-890-03 Carton of 6 NDC 51862-890-06 Storage Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Rx Only

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
75907-091-28 75907-091 Dr. Reddys Laboratories Inc. 1 BLISTER PACK in 1 PACKET (75907-091-28) / 1 KIT in 1 BLISTER PACK June 25, 2024
75907-091-62 75907-091 Dr. Reddys Laboratories Inc. 6 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (75907-091-62) / 1 KIT in 1 BLISTER PACK June 25, 2024
51862-890-01 51862-890 Mayne Pharma Inc. 1 BLISTER PACK in 1 PACKET (51862-890-01) / 1 KIT in 1 BLISTER PACK October 3, 2020
51862-890-02 51862-890 Mayne Pharma Inc. 1 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (51862-890-02) / 1 KIT in 1 BLISTER PACK October 3, 2020
51862-890-03 51862-890 Mayne Pharma Inc. 3 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (51862-890-03) / 1 KIT in 1 BLISTER PACK October 3, 2020
75907-091 75907-091 Dr. Reddys Laboratories Inc. — June 25, 2024
51862-890 51862-890 Mayne Pharma Inc. — October 3, 2020

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above

Generated September 25, 2026 · 8 sections on this page.