Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Department of Health changes advice on third generation pills

1999; BMJ; Volume: 318; Issue: 7190 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1136/bmj.318.7190.1026a

0959-8138

S. Mayor,

Reproductive Health and Contraception

The restriction on the use of third-generation oral contraceptives, pills which contain gestodene and desogestrel, has been lifted, and the pills can now be offered to women who want to use the method. The Committee on Safety of Medicine imposed the 1995 restriction after a study suggested a small increase in the risk of deep vein thrombosis. But after extensive research, the Medicines Commission stated that third generation pills can be prescribed to women provided that they will be informed of the greater risk involved. In addition, third-generation pills would contain new package inserts, explaining the risks of deep vein thrombosis. The warning will state that the risk of deep vein thrombosis in women not taking the pill is 5/100,000 women/year. This risk increases to 15/100,000 women/year in women taking second-generation pills, while it is 25/100,000 women/year in women taking third-generation pills.