Endocrine (Oral Contraceptive Pill)

Question 1

Examples of drug (Oral Contraceptive Pill)

Answer 1

• Microgynon (combined oral contraceptive pill)

- Cerazette (progestogen only pill)

Question 2

Mechanism of action (Oral Contraceptive Pill)

Answer 2

• A progestin (synthetic form of progesterone) along with an oestrogen (combined oral contraceptive pill) or a progestin alone (progestegen only pill)
• Acts on female reproductive tract, the mammary glands, hypothalamus and the pituitary gland
• Reduces the production for gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
  o Blunts the LH surge that stimulates ovulation

Question 3

Indications (Oral Contraceptive Pill)

Answer 3

• Contraception
• Menopausal and postmenopausal disorders
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Question 4

Side-effects (Oral Contraceptive Pill)

Answer 4

• Mood swings
• Headache
• Breast tenderness
• Increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer (small)
• Increased risk of venous thromboembolic disease (small)

Question 5

Important pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (Oral Contraceptive Pill)

Answer 5

• Antibiotics and some enzyme inducers (St John’s Wort) can reduce efficacy.

Question 6

Patient information (Oral Contraceptive Pill)

Answer 6

• Take at the same time everyday - compliance is critical for efficacy
• Take with food
• Use alternative forms of contraception when taking concurrent antibiotics or enzyme inducers