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Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol/levomefolate calcium and levomefolate calcium
Overview
Forms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryRegulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 022574-001 | SAFYRAL | TABLET | DROSPIRENONE; ETHINYL ESTRADIOL; LEVOMEFOLATE CALCIUM | Prescription | AB | RLD RS |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookWhat 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.
Patents and exclusivity
Source: Orange Book| Patent | Expires | Product | Substance | Use code | Submitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8617597 | February 8, 2030 | 001 | No | January 29, 2014 | |
| 11617751 | July 17, 2030 | 001 | No | U-1 | May 15, 2023 |
| 11617751 | July 17, 2030 | 001 | No | U-3572 | May 15, 2023 |
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 10 | Labeling | Approved | May 19, 2023 | Standard |
| Supplement | 11 | Labeling | Approved | April 29, 2022 | Standard |
| Supplement | 9 | Labeling | Approved | August 9, 2017 | Standard |
| Supplement | 6 | Labeling | Approved | June 1, 2015 | Standard |
| Supplement | 4 | Labeling | Approved | April 10, 2012 | Standard |
| Supplement | 1 | Efficacy | Approved | February 13, 2012 | Standard |
| Original application | 1 | Type 5 - New Formulation or New Manufacturer | Approved | December 16, 2010 | Standard |
Review documents
- 0 · Supplement · May 22, 2023
- 0 · Supplement · May 22, 2023
- 0 · Supplement · May 3, 2022
- 0 · Supplement · May 2, 2022
- 0 · Supplement · August 15, 2017
- 0 · Supplement · August 9, 2017
- 0 · Supplement · February 3, 2016
- 0 · Supplement · February 3, 2016
- 0 · Supplement · June 4, 2015
- 0 · Supplement · June 3, 2015
- 0 · Supplement · April 12, 2012
- 0 · Supplement · April 10, 2012
- 0 · Supplement · February 21, 2012
- 0 · Supplement · February 14, 2012
- 0 · Original application · November 16, 2011
- 0 · Original application · July 15, 2011
- 0 · Original application · July 15, 2011
- 0 · Original application · December 22, 2010
- 0 · Original application · December 21, 2010
- 0 · Original application · January 1, 1900
- 0 · Original application · January 1, 1900
- 0 · Original application · January 1, 1900
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260304). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Boxed Warning
openFDA Drug LabelingWARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptives (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 should not be used by women who are over 35 years of age and smoke [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. • Women over 35 years old who smoke should not use Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium. ( 4 ) • Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive (COC) use. ( 4 )
Recent Major Changes
openFDA Drug LabelingDosage and Administration ( 2.3 ) 5/2023 Contraindications, Pregnancy ( 4 ) Removed 5/2023 Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 ) Removed 5/2023
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug Labeling1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium a combination of drospirenone, a progestin and ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen containing a folate, indicated for use by females of reproductive potential to: • Prevent pregnancy. ( 1.1 ) • Treat symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) for females of reproductive potential who choose to use an oral contraceptive for contraception. ( 1.2 ) • Treat moderate acne for females of reproductive potential at least 14 years old only if the patient desires an oral contraceptive for birth control. ( 1.3 ) • Raise folate levels in females of reproductive potential who choose to use an oral contraceptive for contraception. ( 1.4 ) 1.1 Oral Contraceptive Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium is indicated for use by females of reproductive potential to prevent pregnancy. 1.2 Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium is also indicated for the treatment of symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in females of reproductive potential who choose to use an oral contraceptive as their method of contraception. The effectiveness of Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium for PMDD when used for more than three menstrual cycles has not been evaluated. The essential features of PMDD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-4th edition (DSM-IV) include markedly depressed mood, anxiety or tension, affective lability, and persistent anger or irritability. Other features include decreased interest in usual activities, difficulty concentrating, lack of energy, change in appetite or sleep, and feeling out of control. Physical symptoms associated with PMDD include breast tenderness, headache, joint and muscle pain, bloating and weight gain. In this disorder, these symptoms occur regularly during the luteal phase and remit within a few days following onset of menses; the disturbance markedly interferes with work or school, or with usual social activities and relationships with others. Diagnosis is made by healthcare providers according to DSM-IV criteria, with symptomatology assessed prospectively over at least two menstrual cycles. In making the diagnosis, care should be taken to rule out other cyclical mood disorders. Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium has not been evaluated for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). 1.3 Acne Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium is indicated for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris in females of reproductive potential at least 14 years of age, who have no known contraindications to oral contraceptive therapy and have achieved menarche. Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium should be used for the treatment of acne only if the patient desires an oral contraceptive for birth control. 1.4 Folate Supplementation Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium is indicated in females of reproductive potential who choose to use an oral contraceptive as their method of contraception, to raise folate levels for the purpose of reducing the risk of a neural tube defect in a pregnancy conceived while taking the product or shortly after discontinuing the product.
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug Labeling2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Take one tablet daily by mouth at the same time every day. ( 2.1 ) • Tablets must be taken in the order directed on the blister pack. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 How to Take Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium Take one tablet by mouth at the same time every day. The failure rate may increase when pills are missed or taken incorrectly. To achieve maximum contraceptive and PMDD effectiveness, Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium must be taken as directed, in the order directed on the blister pack. Single missed pills should be taken as soon as remembered. 2.2 How to Start Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium Instruct the patient to begin taking Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium either on the first day of her menstrual period (Day 1 Start) or on the first Sunday after the onset of her menstrual period (Sunday Start). Day 1 Start During the first cycle of Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium use, instruct the patient to take one pink Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium Tablet daily, beginning on Day 1 of her menstrual cycle. (The first day of menstruation is Day 1.) She should take one pink Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium Tablet daily for 24 consecutive days, followed by one light orange Levomefolate Calcium Tablet daily on Days 25 through 28. Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium should be taken in the order directed on the package at the same time each day, preferably after the evening meal or at bedtime with some liquid, as needed. Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium can be taken without regard to meals. If Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium is first taken later than the first day of the menstrual cycle, Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium should not be considered effective as a contraceptive until after the first 7 consecutive days of product administration. Instruct the patient to use a non-hormonal contraceptive as back-up during the first 7 days. The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of medication should be considered. Sunday Start During the first cycle of Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium use, instruct the patient to take one pink Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium Tablet daily, beginning on the first Sunday after the onset of her menstrual period. She should take one pink Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium Tablet daily for 24 consecutive days, followed by one light orange Levomefolate Calcium Tablet daily on Days 25 through 28. Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium should be taken in the order directed on the package at the same time each day, preferably after the evening meal or at bedtime with some liquid, as needed. Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium can be taken without regard to meals. Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium should not be considered effective as a contraceptive until after the first 7 consecutive days of product administration. Instruct the patient to use a non-hormonal contraceptive as back-up during the first 7 days. The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of medication should be considered. The patient should begin her next and all subsequent 28-day regimens of Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium on the same day of the week that she began her first regimen, following the same schedule. She should begin taking her pink tablets on the next day after ingestion of the last light orange folate tablet, regardless …
Dosage Forms and Strengths
openFDA Drug Labeling3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium is available in blister packs. Each blister pack contains 28 film-coated, round, bi-convex tablets in the following order: • 21 orange tablets each containing 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP), 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol (EE) as betadex clathrate and 0.451 mg levomefolate calcium embossed with a “Y+” in a regular hexagon on one side • 7 light orange tablets each containing 0.451 mg levomefolate calcium embossed with a “M+” in a regular hexagon on one side Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium consists of 28 film-coated, biconvex tablets in the following order ( 3 ): • 21 orange tablets, each containing 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP), 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol (EE) as betadex clathrate and 0.451 mg levomefolate calcium, • 7 light orange tablets, each containing 0.451 mg levomefolate calcium
Contraindications
openFDA Drug Labeling4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium is contraindicated in females who are known to have or develop the following conditions: • Renal impairment • Adrenal insufficiency • A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases. Examples include women who are known to: • Smoke, if over age 35 [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, now or in the past [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have cerebrovascular disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have coronary artery disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have thrombogenic valvular or thrombogenic rhythm diseases of the heart (for example, subacute bacterial endocarditis with valvular disease, or atrial fibrillation) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have inherited or acquired hypercoagulopathies [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Have uncontrolled hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] • Have diabetes mellitus with vascular disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] • Have headaches with focal neurological symptoms or have migraine headaches with or without aura if over age 35 [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] • Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] • Current diagnosis of, or history of, breast cancer, which may be hormone-sensitive [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Liver tumors, benign or malignant, or liver disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.7 )] • Use of Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir due to the potential for ALT elevations [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7.3 )] . • Renal impairment ( 4 ) • Adrenal insufficiency ( 4 ) • A high risk of arterial or venous thrombotic diseases ( 4 ) • Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding ( 4 ) • Breast cancer ( 4 ) • Liver tumors or liver disease ( 4 ) • Co-administration with Hepatitis C drug combinations containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir ( 4 )
Warnings and Cautions
openFDA Drug Labeling5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Vascular risks: Stop Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium if a thrombotic event occurs. Stop at least 4 weeks before and through 2 weeks after major surgery. Start no earlier than 4 weeks after delivery, in women who are not breastfeeding. ( 5.1 ) COCs containing DRSP may be associated with a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) than COCs containing levonorgestrel or some other progestins. Before initiating Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium in a new COC user or a woman who is switching from a contraceptive that does not contain DRSP, consider the risks and benefits of a DRSP-containing COC in light of her risk of a VTE. ( 5.1 ) • Hyperkalemia: DRSP has anti-mineralocorticoid activity. Do not use in patients predisposed to hyperkalemia. Check serum potassium concentration during the first treatment cycle in women on long-term treatment with medications that may increase serum potassium concentration. ( 5.2 , 7.1 , 7.2 ) • Liver disease: Discontinue Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium if jaundice occurs. ( 5.4 ) • High blood pressure: Do not prescribe Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium for women with uncontrolled hypertension or hypertension with vascular disease. ( 5.6 ) • Carbohydrate and lipid metabolic effects: Monitor prediabetic and diabetic women taking Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium. Consider an alternate contraceptive method for women with uncontrolled dyslipidemia. ( 5.8 ) • Headache: Evaluate significant change in headaches and discontinue Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium if indicated. ( 5.9 ) • Uterine bleeding: Evaluate irregular bleeding or amenorrhea. ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Thromboembolic Disorders and Other Vascular Problems Stop Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium if an arterial or venous thrombotic (VTE) event occurs. Based on presently available information on DRSP-containing COCs with 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol (that is, Yasmin ® ), DRSP-containing COCs may be associated with a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) than COCs containing the progestin levonorgestrel or some other progestins. Epidemiologic studies that compared the risk of VTE reported that the risk ranged from no increase to a three-fold increase. Before initiating use of Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium in a new COC user or a woman who is switching from a contraceptive that does not contain DRSP, consider the risks and benefits of a DRSP-containing COC in light of her risk of a VTE. Known risk factors for VTE include smoking, obesity, and family history of VTE, in addition to other factors that contraindicate use of COCs [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . A number of studies have compared the risk of VTE for users of Yasmin (which contains 0.03 mg of EE and 3 mg of DRSP) to the risk for users of other COCs, including COCs containing levonorgestrel. Those that were required or sponsored by regulatory agencies are summarized in Table 2. Table 2: Estimates (Hazard Ratios) of Venous Thromboembolism Risk in Current Users of Yasmin Compared to Users of Oral Contraceptives that Contain Other Progestins Epidemiologic Study (Author, Year of Publication) Population Studied Comparator Product (all are low-dose COCs; with ≤ 0.04 mg of EE) Hazard Ratio (HR) (95% CI) i3 Ingenix (Seeger 2007) Initiators, including new users a All COCs available in the US during the conduct of the study b HR: 0.9 (0.5-1.6) EURAS (Dinger 2007) Initiators, including new users a All COCs available in Europe during the conduct of the study c Levonorgestrel/EE HR: 0.9 (0.6-1.4) HR: 1.0 (0.6-1.8) “FDA-funded study” (2011) New users a Other COCs available during the course of the study d Levonorgestrel/0.03 mg EE HR: 1.8 …
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug Labeling6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions with the use of COCs are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: • Serious cardiovascular events and stroke [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Vascular events [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Liver disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • The most frequent adverse reactions (≥ 2%) in contraception, acne and folate clinical trials are headache/migraine (5.9%), menstrual irregularities (4.1%), nausea/vomiting (3.5%) and breast pain/tenderness (3.2%). ( 6.1 ) • The most frequent adverse reactions (≥ 2%) in PMDD clinical trials are menstrual irregularities (24.9%), nausea (15.8%), headache (13.0%), breast tenderness (10.5%), fatigue (4.2%), irritability (2.8%), decreased libido (2.8%), increased weight (2.5%), and affect lability (2.1%). ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sandoz Inc. at 1-800-525-8747 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reaction rates observed cannot be directly compared to rates in other clinical trials and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Contraception, Acne and Folate Supplementation Clinical Trials The data provided reflect the experience with the use of YAZ (3 mg DRSP/0.02 mg EE), in the adequate and well-controlled studies for contraception (N=1,056), for moderate acne vulgaris (N=536) and folate supplementation (N=379). For contraception, a Phase 3, multicenter, multinational, open-label study was conducted to evaluate safety and efficacy up to one year in 1,027 women aged 17-36 who took at least one dose of YAZ. A second Phase 3 study was a single center, open-label, active-controlled study to evaluate the effect of 7 28-day cycles of YAZ on carbohydrate metabolism, lipids and hemostasis in 29 women aged 18-35. For acne, two multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies, in 536 women aged 14–45 with moderate acne vulgaris who took at least one dose of YAZ, evaluated the safety and efficacy during up to 6 cycles. For folate supplementation, the primary efficacy study using Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, active-controlled US trial in 379 healthy women aged 18- 40 who were treated with Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium or YAZ for up to 24 weeks. The adverse reactions seen across the 3 indications overlapped, and are reported using the frequencies from the pooled dataset. The most common adverse reactions (≥ 2% of users) were: headache/migraine (5.9%), menstrual irregularities (including vaginal hemorrhage [primarily spotting], metrorrhagia and menorrhagia) (4.1%), nausea/vomiting (3.5%), and breast pain/tenderness (3.2%). PMDD Clinical Trials Safety data from trials for the indication of PMDD are reported separately due to differences in study design and setting in the OC, Acne and Folate Supplementation studies as compared to the PMDD clinical program. Two (one parallel and one crossover designed) multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials for the secondary indication of treating the symptoms of PMDD evaluated safety and efficacy of YAZ during up to 3 cycles among 285 women aged 18–42, diagnosed with PMDD and who took at least one dose of YAZ. Common adverse reactions (≥ 2% of users) were: menstrual irregularities (including vaginal hemorrhage [primarily spotting] and metrorrhagia) (24.9%), nausea (15.8%), headache (13.0%), breast tenderness (10.5%), fatigue (4.2%), irritability (2.8%), decreased libido (2.8%), increased weight (2.5%), and affect lability (2.1%). Adverse Reactions (≥1%) Leading to Study Discontinuation: Contraception Clinical Trials Of 1,056 women, 6.6% discontinued from the clinical trials due to an adverse reaction; the most frequent adverse reactions leading to …
Drug Interactions
openFDA Drug Labeling7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Consult the labeling of all concurrently-used drugs to obtain further information about interactions with hormonal contraceptives or the potential for enzyme alterations. Drugs or herbal products that induce certain enzymes (for example, CYP3A4) may decrease the effectiveness of COCs or increase breakthrough bleeding. Counsel patients to use a back-up or alternative method of contraception when enzyme inducers are used with COCs. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on Combined Oral Contraceptives Substances diminishing the efficacy of COCs: Drugs or herbal products that induce certain enzymes, including cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), may decrease the effectiveness of COCs or increase breakthrough bleeding. Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives include phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, bosentan, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, rifampin, topiramate and products containing St. John’s wort. Interactions between oral contraceptives and other drugs may lead to breakthrough bleeding and/or contraceptive failure. Counsel women to use an alternative method of contraception or a back-up method when enzyme inducers are used with COCs, and to continue back-up contraception for 28 days after discontinuing the enzyme inducer to ensure contraceptive reliability. Substances increasing the plasma concentrations of COCs: Co-administration of atorvastatin and certain COCs containing EE increase AUC values for EE by approximately 20%. Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase plasma EE concentrations, possibly by inhibition of conjugation. Concomitant administration of moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole), verapamil, macrolides (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin), diltiazem, and grapefruit juice can increase the plasma concentrations of the estrogen or the progestin or both. In a clinical drug-drug interaction study conducted in premenopausal women, once daily co-administration of DRSP 3 mg/EE 0.02 mg containing tablets with strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, ketoconazole 200 mg twice daily for 10 days resulted in a moderate increase of DRSP systemic exposure. The exposure of EE was increased mildly [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/Hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors: Significant changes (increase or decrease) in the plasma concentrations of estrogen and progestin have been noted in some cases of co-administration with HIV/HCV protease inhibitors or with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Antibiotics: There have been reports of pregnancy while taking hormonal contraceptives and antibiotics, but clinical pharmacokinetic studies have not shown consistent effects of antibiotics on plasma concentrations of synthetic steroids. 7.2 Effects of Combined Oral Contraceptives on Other Drugs COCs containing EE may inhibit the metabolism of other compounds. COCs have been shown to significantly decrease plasma concentrations of lamotrigine, likely due to induction of lamotrigine glucuronidation. This may reduce seizure control; therefore, dosage adjustments of lamotrigine may be necessary. Consult the labeling of the concurrently-used drug to obtain further information about interactions with COCs or the potential for enzyme alterations. COCs Increasing the Plasma Concentrations of CYP450 Enzymes : In clinical studies, administration of a hormonal contraceptive containing EE did not lead to any increase or only to a weak increase in plasma concentrations of CYP3A4 substrates (e.g., midazolam) while plasma concentrations of CYP2C19 substrates (e.g., omeprazole and voriconazole) and CYP1A2 substrates (e.g., theophylline and tizanidine) can have a weak or moderate increase. Clinical studies did not indicate an inhibitory potential of DRSP towards …
Use in Specific Populations
openFDA Drug Labeling8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Lactation: Can reduce milk production in breast-feeding females ( 8.2 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There is no use for contraception in pregnancy; therefore, Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium should be discontinued during pregnancy. Epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses have not found an increased risk of genital or non-genital birth defects (including cardiac anomalies and limb-reduction defects) following exposure to CHCs before conception or during early pregnancy. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4 percent and 15 to 20 percent, respectively. Data Human Data A retrospective database study of women in Norway, that included 44,734 pregnancies of which 368 were women who inadvertently took drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol during the first trimester of a pregnancy, found there were no adverse effects on pre-term birth, small for gestational age, or birth weight Z-scores. Post-marketing adverse event data on the use of Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium in pregnant women suggest that frequencies of miscarriage and congenital anomalies were not higher than the estimated background risk in the general population. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary DRSP is present in human milk. After a single oral administration of 3 mg DRSP/0.03 mg EE tablets, DRSP concentration in breast milk over the 24-h period ranged from 1.4 to 7.0 ng/mL, with a mean ± standard deviation value of 3.7 ± 1.9 ng/mL. The estimated mean infant dose was 0.003 mg/day, which is about 0.1% of maternal dose (see Data). There is limited information on the effects of Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium on the breast-fed infant. CHCs can reduce milk production in breast-feeding females. This reduction can occur at any time but is less likely to occur once breast-feeding is well-established. When possible, advise the nursing female to use other methods of contraception until she discontinues breast-feeding. [See also Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 )]. Increase in folate concentration in milk is not expected (see Data). The developmental and health benefits of breast-feeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium and any potential adverse effects on the breast-fed child from Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium or from the underlying maternal condition. Data Human Data An open-label study evaluated the degree of DRSP transfer into milk within 72 hours following a single oral administration of 3 mg DRSP/0.03 mg EE tablets to 6 healthy lactating women who were 1 week to 3 months post-partum. DRSP was present in breast milk with a mean Cmax of 13.5 ng/mL, while the mean Cmax in serum of lactating women was 30.8 ng/mL. The DRSP concentration in breast milk over the 24-hour period following dosing ranged from 1.4 to 7.0 ng/mL, with a mean ± standard deviation value of 3.7 ± 1.9 ng/mL. Based on single dose data, the maximal daily infant dose of DRSP was calculated to be 0.003 mg/day, which represented a mean of 0.1% of the maternal dose. A study in approximately 60 lactating women demonstrated no significant differences in folate concentrations in milk between women who received 416mcg/day [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate or 400 mcg/day folic acid and women who received placebo over a 16 week period. Studies to date indicate there is no adverse effect of folate on nursing infants. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and efficacy of Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium has been established in women of reproductive age. Efficacy is expected to be the same for postpubertal adolescents under the age of 18 and for users 18 years and older. Use of this product bef …
Mechanism of Action
openFDA Drug Labeling12.1 Mechanism of Action COCs lower the risk of becoming pregnant primarily by suppressing ovulation.
Description
openFDA Drug Labeling11 DESCRIPTION Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium provides an oral contraceptive regimen consisting of 28 film-coated tablets that contain the active ingredients specified for each tablet below: • 21 orange tablets each containing 3 mg DRSP, 0.03 mg EE as betadex clathrate, and 0.451 mg levomefolate calcium • 7 light orange tablets each containing 0.451 mg levomefolate calcium The inactive ingredients in the orange tablets are lactose monohydrate NF, microcrystalline cellulose NF, croscarmellose sodium NF, hydroxypropyl cellulose USP, magnesium stearate NF, hypromellose USP, titanium dioxide USP, talc USP, polyethylene glycol NF, ferric oxide pigment, yellow NF, and ferric oxide pigment, red NF. The light orange film-coated tablets contain 0.451 mg of levomefolate calcium. The inactive ingredients in the light orange tablets are lactose monohydrate NF, microcrystalline cellulose NF, croscarmellose sodium NF, hydroxypropyl cellulose NF, magnesium stearate NF, hypromellose USP, titanium dioxide USP, talc USP, polyethylene glycol NF and ferric oxide pigment, yellow NF, and ferric oxide pigment, red NF. Drospirenone (6R,7R,8R,9S,10R,13S,14S,15S,16S,17S)-1,3',4',6,6a,7,8,9,10,11,12,13, 14,15,15a,16-hexadecahydro-10,13-dimethylspiro-[17H-dicyclopropa-[6,7:15,16] cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-17,2'(5H)-furan]-3,5'(2H)-dione) is a synthetic progestational compound and has a molecular weight of 366.5 and a molecular formula of C 24 H 30 O 3 . Ethinyl estradiol (19-nor-17α-pregna 1,3,5(10)-triene-20-yne-3,17-diol) is a synthetic estrogenic compound and has a molecular weight of 296.4 and a molecular formula of C 20 H 24 O 2 . Levomefolate calcium (N-[4-[[(2-amino-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-5-methyl-4-oxo-(6S)-pteridinyl)methyl]amino]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid, calcium salt) is a synthetic calcium salt of L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-methyl-THF), which is a metabolite of vitamin B 9 and has a molecular weight of 497.5 and a molecular formula of C 20 H 23 CaN 7 O 6. The structural formulas are as follows: Chem structure
Overdosage
openFDA Drug Labeling10 OVERDOSAGE There have been no reports of serious ill effects from overdose, including ingestion by children. Overdosage may cause withdrawal bleeding in females and nausea. DRSP is a spironolactone analogue which has anti-mineralocorticoid properties. Serum concentration of potassium and sodium, and evidence of metabolic acidosis, should be monitored in cases of overdose. Levomefolate calcium doses of 17 mg/day (37-fold higher than the levomefolate calcium dose of Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium) were well tolerated after long-term treatment up to 12 weeks.
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug Labeling16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium Tablets and Levomefolate Calcium Tablets are available in packages of three blister packs (NDC 0781-4075-15). The film-coated tablets are rounded with biconvex faces, one side is embossed with a regular hexagon shape with Z+ or M+. Each blister pack (28 film-coated tablets) contains in the following order: • 24 round, biconvex, pink, film-coated tablets with embossed “Z +” in a regular hexagon on one side each containing 3 mg drospirenone, 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol, and 0.451 mg levomefolate calcium • 4 round, biconvex, light orange, film-coated tablets with embossed “M+” in a regular hexagon on one side each containing 0.451 mg levomefolate calcium 16.2 Storage Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0781-4075-15 | 0781-4075 | Sandoz Inc | 3 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (0781-4075-15) / 1 KIT in 1 BLISTER PACK (0781-4075-52) | October 12, 2016 |
| 0781-4103-15 | 0781-4103 | Sandoz Inc | 3 BLISTER PACK in 1 PACKAGE (0781-4103-15) / 1 KIT in 1 BLISTER PACK (0781-4103-52) | August 1, 2015 |
| 0781-4075 | 0781-4075 | Sandoz Inc | — | October 12, 2016 |
| 0781-4103 | 0781-4103 | Sandoz Inc | — | August 1, 2015 |
Sources for 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 · 9 sections on this page.