Zovia (Ehtynodiol Diacetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets) Drug Information: Overdosage and Contraindications

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May 27, 2012

Zovia

Information on Birth Control Pills »

What are birth control pills and how do they work?

Birth control pills are also known as oral contraceptives (OCs) or, simply, “the pill.” They offer protection against pregnancy by blocking the union of sperm and egg, thereby preventing conception.

Oral contraceptives or birth control pills contain synthetic female hormones. They work largely by preventing the release of an egg from an ovary, or ovulation. If no egg is released, there can be no pregnancy.

Stopping ovulation is not the only way birth control pills can work. The progestin or synthetic progesterone in birth control pills also changes the physical and chemical environment of the female reproductive tract, making it hostile for sperm.

What are the different types of birth control pills?

The active ingredients in birth control pills are synthetic versions of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Combination oral contraceptives are birth control...

Read the Information on Birth Control Pills article »

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OVERDOSE

Serious ill effects have not been reported following acute ingestion of large doses of oral contraceptives by young children.^{180, 181} Overdosage may cause nausea, and withdrawal bleeding may occur in females.

Non-Contraceptive Health Benefits

The following non-contraceptive health benefits related to the use of oral contraceptives are supported by epidemiological studies that largely utilized oral contraceptive formulations containing estrogen doses exceeding 35 mcg of ethinyl estradiol or 50 mcg of mestranol.^{148, 149}

Effects on menses:

Increased menstrual cycle regularity
Decreased blood loss and decreased risk of iron-deficiency anemia
Decreased frequency of dysmenorrheal

Effects related to inhibition of ovulation:

Decreased risk of functional ovarian cysts
Decreased risk of ectopic pregnancies

Effects from long-term use:

Decreased risk of fibroadenomas and fibrocystic disease of the breast
Decreased risk of acute pelvic inflammatory disease
Decreased risk of endometrial cancer
Decreased risk of ovarian cancer
Decreased risk of uterine fibroids

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Oral contraceptives should not be used in women who have the following conditions:

Thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders
A past history of deep vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders
Cerebral vascular disease, myocardial infarction, or coronary artery disease, or a past history of these conditions
Known or suspected carcinoma of the breast, or a history of this condition
Known or suspected carcinoma of the female reproductive organs or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia, or a history of these conditions
Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding
History of cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy or jaundice with prior oral contraceptive use
Past or present, benign or malignant liver tumors
Known or suspected pregnancy

REFERENCES

148. Ory HW, Fam Plann Perspect. 1982;14(July-Aug):182.

149. Ory HW, et al. Making Choices: Evaluating the Health Risks and Benefits of Birth Control Methods. New York, NY: The Alan Guttmacher Institute; 1983.

Last reviewed on RxList: 12/17/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.