Multi-centre open study of a triphasic levonorgestrel-ethinyloestradiol combined oral contraceptive ('Trinordiol')

A long-term, multi-centre open study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy, cycle control and side-effects with a triphasic, combined oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel and ethinyloestradiol ('Trinordiol'). A total of 2517 women completing at least 1 cycle of treatment was followed up at 2 to 3-monthly intervals; the overall number of cycles on treatment was 37,090. During treatment, only 2 pregnancies occurred which were attributable to pill failure. Cycle control was good: cycle irregularities were 9.6% overall, but were most common (19.6%) during the first 3 cycles. Only 3.8% of patients withdrew from the study for this reason. Side-effects were those commonly seen with oral contraceptives, and they produced a drop-out rate of only 13.9%. There were no clinically significant effects on blood pressure or body weight. The results also suggested that 'Trinordiol' has a beneficial effect on pre-existing acne.