Comparison of two regimens of a monthly injectable contraceptive containing dihydroxyprogesterone acetophenide and estradiol enanthate.
BACKGROUND
This study compared two regimens of a monthly injectable contraceptive containing dihydroxyprogesterone acetophenide 150 mg and estradiol enanthate 10 mg (Perlutan) over 12 cycles of use.


METHODS
Three hundred sixty-five adolescents were randomized into two groups. The patients in Group 1 received an initial injection of Perlutan on the 1st-5th day of their menstrual cycle and subsequent injections every 30 +/- 3 days, whereas those in Group 2 followed the traditional schedule of administration in which the first injection is administered between Days 7 and 10 of their menstrual cycle and subsequent injections 7-10 days after Day 1 of withdrawal bleeding. This schedule may result in an irregularity in the timing of injections.


RESULTS
No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding tolerability or pregnancy (two in Group 1 and three in Group 2).


CONCLUSIONS
Monthly administration limits the annual number of injections to a maximum of 12, thus frequently reducing the total annual dose while maintaining efficacy and tolerability similar to those obtained with the traditional regimen.
Coutinho
Elsimar M
EM
CEPARH, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. ceparh@uol.com.br
Spinola
Paulo
P
Athayde
Célia
C
Noronha
Cristina Fernandes
CF
de Melo
Nilson Roberto
NR
Cabral
Zuleide Aparecida Félix
ZA
Almeida
José Alcione Macedo
JA
da Silva
Balbina Lemos
BL
Neto
João Sabino Pinho
JS
Rumi
Demetrio Ortega
DO
D000293:Adolescent; D000463:Algestone Acetophenide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001938:Brazil; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004958:Estradiol; D000463:Algestone Acetophenide; C002027:estradiol enanthate