Oral contraceptives

Abstract

This invention provides a method of contraception which comprises administering to a female of child bearing age for 23-25 consecutive days, a first phase combination of a progestin at a daily dosage of 40-500 .mu.g trimegestone, 250 .mu.g-4 mg dienogest, or 250 .mu.g-4 mg drospirenone, and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to 10-20 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol for 9-13 days beginning on day 1 of the menstrual cycle, wherein the same dosage of the progestin and estrogen combination is administered in each of the 9-13 days, and a second phase combination of a progestin at a daily dosage of 40-500 .mu.g trimegestone, 250 .mu.g-4 mg dienogest, or 250 .mu.g-4 mg drospirenone, and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to 10-20 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol, for 11-15 days beginning on the day immediately following the last day of administration of the first phase combination, wherein the same dosage of the progestin and estrogen combination is administered in each of the 11-15 days, provided that the daily dosage of second phase progestin is greater than the daily dosage of the first phase progestin and that the daily dosage of the second phase estrogen is greater than or equal to the daily dosage of the first phase estrogen.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/022,681, filed Jul. 26, 1996.

The vast majority of oral contraceptives consist of a combination of a progestin and estrogen that are administered concurrently for 21 days followed either by a 7 day pill free interval or by the administration of a placebo for 7 days in each 28 day cycle. The most important aspects of a successful oral contraceptive product are effective contraception, good cycle control (absence of spotting and breakthrough bleeding and occurrence of withdrawal bleeding), and minimal side effects. Combination oral contraceptives have traditionally acted by suppression of gonadotropins. In addition, it appears that the progestin component is primarily responsible for contraceptive efficacy through inhibition of ovulation, and other peripheral effects which include changes in the cervical mucus (which increase the difficulty of sperm entry into the uterus) and the endometrium (which reduce the likelihood of implantation). The estrogenic component intensifies the anovulatory effect of the progestin, and is also important for maintaining cycle control.

Since the introduction of oral contraceptives (OCs) over a quarter-century ago, research has been directed toward developing preparations that minimize the potential for side effects while maintaining efficacy and normal menstrual patterns. The first-generation OCs contained more progestin and estrogen than was necessary to prevent conception. Adverse hemostatic and metabolic changes, clinical problems, and side effects were associated with these high-dose preparations. In 1978, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that the focus of OC research should be the development of products containing the lowest possible dose levels of estrogen and progestin.

The first reductions in steroid content in a combination pill were focused on estrogen because it, rather than progestin, was thought to be related to the most serious side effects. Reduction in progestin content followed, as evidence mounted that lowering progestin intake might lower the risk of cardiovascular complications such as stroke and ischemic heart disease. �Kay C R, Am J Obstet Gynecol 142:762 (1982)!. However, this evidence was not as clear as that implicating estrogen in thromboembolic disorders. �Inman W H W, Br Med J 2:203 (1970); Stolley P D, Am J Epidemiol 102:197 (1975)!. The need for a balance between estrogens and progestins to minimize adverse effects on carbohydrate metabolism and on lipid and lipoprotein levels was also recognized. �Bradley D D, N Engl J Med 299:17 (1978); Wynn V, Lancet 1:1045 (1979)!. Researchers then found that the synergistic action between progestin and estrogen in a balanced ratio successfully inhibited ovulation at low levels of both components.

Research into low-dose progestins was advanced significantly by the development of norgestrel (Ng) and levonorgestrel (LNg). Levonorgestrel is the biologically active moiety of racemic norgestrel. It is strongly progestational, has no inherent estrogenic activity, is antiestrogenic, and possesses good biologic activity. The contraceptive effects of levonorgestrel are manifested throughout the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-target organ axis.

Ethinyl estradiol (EE) is the estrogen most frequently used in combination OCs. In attempts to fulfill the WHO objective, the dosage of EE in marketed OC formulations has been steadily reduced from that found in earlier OCs. Thromboembolic mortality decreased when the amount of synthetic estrogen in OC formulations was reduced from 100 .mu.g to 50 .mu.g. Subsequently, a significant reduction in fatal myocardial infarctions was reported for women using OCs with 30 .mu.g of EE rather than 50 .mu.g of EE. �Meade T W, Br Med J 280:1157 (1980)!.

In keeping with the goal of reducing the total steroidal dosage, while maintaining contraceptive efficacy, good cycle control, and minimizing side effects, numerous regimens have been developed in which the progestin/estrogen combination is administered either as a fixed dosage combination (monophasic) or as biphasic or triphasic regimens in which the dosage of the combination is varied either once or twice throughout the menstrual cycle. In these regimens, the progestin/estrogen combination is typically administered for 21 days followed by either a 7-day pill free period or the administration of a non-contraceptive placebo (or iron supplement) for 7 days. In these regimens, 3-ketodesogestrel (3-KDSG), desogestrel (DSG), levonorgestrel (LNg), gestodene (GTD), norgestrel (NG), and norethindrone (NE) are typically used as the progestin while ethinyl estradiol (EE); 17 .beta.-estradiol, and mestranol are typically the estrogenic components. Other progestins less frequently used include drospirenone (DRSP) and dienogest (DGST).

An oral contraceptive product containing a combination of 3 mg DGST and 30 .mu.g EE for 21-day administration per cycle is marketed in Germany.

Several examples of attempts at reducing the total steroidal dosage are provided below.

Spona (PCT Publication WO 95/17194) discloses contraceptive regimens which consist of the administration of a combinaton of a progestin (50-75 .mu.g GTD, 75-125 .mu.g LNg, 60-150 .mu.g DSG, 60-150 .mu.g 3-KDSG, 100-300 .mu.g DRSP, 100-200 .mu.g cyproterone acetate, 200-300 .mu.g norgestimate, or >350-750 .mu.g norethisterone) and an estrogen (15-20 .mu.g EE or 2-6 mg 17.beta.-estradiol) for 23-24 days per cycle.

Lachnit-Fixson (U.S. Pat. No. 3,969,502) discloses biphasic progestin/estrogen combination regimens in which a combination of 50-125 .mu.g LNg and 25-35 .mu.g EE are administered for 10-12 days in the first phase and 100-350 .mu.g LNg and 30-50 .mu.g EE are administered for 10-12 days in the second phase. Placebo is administered for 5-7 days following the administration of the contraceptive steroid regimen.

Oettel (EP 628,312 A1) discloses combination contraceptive combinations containing the combination of three components: a biogenic estrogen (estradiol, estrone, or estriol), a synthetic estrogen (EE or mestranol), and a progestin (LNg, desogestrel, progesterone, norethisterone acetate, DGST, chlormadinone acetate, gestodene, or cyproterone acetate). In one embodiment, the combination is administered for 21 days followed by the administration of placebo (or pill free) or an estrogen on days 22-28 of the cycle.

Oettel (EP 696,454 A2) discloses a three phase contraceptive regimen in which the first phase consists of the administration for 3-4 days of a composition containing at least one biogenic estrogen; the second phase consists of the administration for 20-22 days of at least one biogenic estrogen and at least one progestin (progesterone, DGST, desogestrel, 3-KDSG, GTD, LNg, norgestimate, norethisterone, norethisterone acetate, dehydrogestrone, chloromadinone acetate, cyproterone acetate, medroxyprogesterone acetate, or megestrol acetate); and the third phase consists of the administration for 3-4 days of a composition containing at least biogenic one estrogen.

Lachnit (PCT Publication WO 95/26730) discloses bridged regimens consisting of the administration of a combination of a progestin/estrogen combination (50-125 .mu.g LNg and 10-40 .mu.g EE) for the first 23-24 days of the menstrual cycle followed by the administration of an estrogen (2-40 .mu.g EE) for 4-10 days for a total administration of at least 28 days per cycle. The use of 100-300 .mu.g drospirenone and 10-40 .mu.g EE as the 23-24 day progestin/estrogen combination is disclosed. Lachnit also discloses a triphasic plus bridging regimen (4-9 days, 4-9 days, 9-13 days, and 28 days for the three phases and estrogen phase, respectively) in which a combination of 50 .mu.g LNg and 20 .mu.g EE are administered in the first phase, a combination of 75 .mu.g LNg and 25 .mu.g EE are administered in the second phase, a combination of 100 .mu.g LNg and 20 .mu.g EE are administered in the third phase, and 10 .mu.g EE is administered in the estrogen phase. Other progestins disclosed include GTD, DSG, 3-KDSG, DRSP, cyproterone acetate, norgestimate, and norethisterone.

Upton (EP Patent Specification 253,607 B1) teaches the use of low dose progestin/estrogen combinations for combined hormone replacement therapy and contraception in climacteric women. Climacteric women are defined in Upton as pre-menopausal women around 40 years of age whose hormone levels are waning. The climacteric woman still ovulates (albeit may have irregular ovulation), but she still experiences many of the symptoms of the hypoestrogenic menopausal woman, such as insomnia, hot flushes, and irritability. Upton teaches the administration of a 23-26 day monophasic regimen of progestin/estrogen followed by a pill free or placebo interval of 2-5 days; with 24 days of progestin/estrogen administration followed by a 4-day pill free or placebo administration being preferred. Upton teaches the use of a progestin selected from 25-100 .mu.g LNg, 10-70 .mu.g GTD, 25-100 .mu.g DSG, 25-100 .mu.g 3-KDSG, and 85-350 .mu.g NE used in combination with an estrogen selected from 500-2000 .mu.g 17.beta.-estradiol, 8-30 .mu.g EE, and 15-60 .mu.g mestranol. Based on relative potencies, Upton teaches that a dose of 75 .mu.g LNg is equivalent to 35 .mu.g of GTD, 75 .mu.g of 3-KDSG or DSG, and 250 .mu.g NE and that a dose of 1000 .mu.g of 17 .beta.-estradiol is equivalent to a dose of 15 .mu.g EE and 30 .mu.g mestranol. Upton also teaches that NG may be substituted for LNg, but at twice the dose.

Sartoretto (Clinica e Terapeutica 3: 399 (1974)) discloses a monophasic contraceptive regimen consisting of the administration of a combination 100 .mu.g LNg and 20 .mu.g EE for 21 days.

Lachnit-Fixson (U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,982) discloses triphasic 21-day progestin/estrogen regimens in which a combination of 40-90 .mu.g LNg and 20-50 .mu.g EE is administered for 4-6 days in the first phase, 50-125 .mu.g LNg and 30-50 .mu.g EE is administered for 4-6 days in the second phase, and 100-250 .mu.g LNg and 25-50 .mu.g EE is administered for 9-11 days in the third phase. It is preferred that the first, second, and third phases are 6, 5, and 10 days, respectively.

Bennick (U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,228) discloses triphasic regimens which consist of the administration of a combination progestin/estrogen in a 6-8 day phase, a second 6-8 day phase, and a third 6-8 day phase, with it being preferred that the three contraceptive steroid phases be 7 days each. Bennick discloses that the first contraceptive steroid phase consists of a progestin at a daily dosage equivalent to 75-150 .mu.g DSG and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent to 20-25 .mu.g EE; the second contraceptive steroid phase consists of a progestin at a daily dosage equivalent to 75-125 .mu.g DSG and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent to 20 .mu.g EE; and the third contraceptive steroid phase consists of a progestin at a daily dosage equivalent to 75-100 .mu.g DSG and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent to 20 .mu.g EE. Placebo is administered for 7 days following the 21-day contraceptive steroid period. Bennick discloses that the progestin may be 3-KDSG, DSG, LNg, or GTD.

Bergink (U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,408) discloses a 24 day triphasic combination regimen in which the first 7-9 day phase consists of the administration of a progestin at a daily dosage equivalent to 100 .mu.g DSG and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent to 25 .mu.g EE, the second 7-9 day phase consists of the administration of a progestin at a daily dosage equivalent to 125 .mu.g DSG and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent to 20 .mu.g EE, and the third 7-9 day phase consists of the administration of a progestin at a daily dosage equivalent to 50 .mu.g DSG and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent to 20 .mu.g EE. It is preferred that the three phases be 8 days each. Following the 24 day contraceptive steroid administration, a placebo may be administered for 4 days, the 4 day interval may be pill free, or a progestin at a dosage equivalent to 25-35 .mu.g DSG may be administered.

Boissonneault (U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,098) discloses triphasic progestin/estrogen combinations in which the amount of the estrogenic component is increased stepwise over the three phases. Contraceptive steroid combinations are taken for 4-7 days during the first phase (5 days being preferred); for 5-8 days during the second phase (7 days preferred); and for 7-12 days during the third phase (9 days being preferred). Following the administration of 21-days of the contraceptive steroid combination, placebo is taken for 7 days. For all three phases, 0.5-1.5 mg of norethindrone acetate is used in the progestin, with 1 mg being preferred. 10-30 .mu.g EE is used in the first phase, 20-40 .mu.g in the second, and 30-50 .mu.g in the third phase.

Pasquale (U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,843) discloses combination progestin/estrogen contraceptive regimens which contain 0.5 to 1 mg of progestin and an estrogen having a dose equivalent to 10-40 .mu.g of EE. NE, LNg, D-17 .beta.-acetoxy-13 .beta.-ethyl-17 .alpha.-ethinyl-gon-4-en-3-one oxime, and 19-nor-17-hydroxy progesterone ester are disclosed as progestins, with NE being preferred. Specifically disclosed regimens include a uniphasic regimen (2 days of placebo, 5 days of 20 .mu.g EE, and 21 days of a combination of 500 .mu.g NE and 35 .mu.g EE); a uniphasic regimen (2 days of placebo, 5 days of 40 .mu.g EE, and 21 days of a combination of 500 .mu.g NE and 35 .mu.g EE); and a triphasic regimen (2 days of placebo; 5 days of 20-40 .mu.g EE; 7 days of a combination of 500 .mu.g NE and 35 .mu.g EE; 7 days of a combination of 750 .mu.g NE and 35 .mu.g EE; and 7 days of a combination of 1 mg NE and 35 .mu.g EE).

Pasquale (U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,051) discloses triphasic progestin/estrogen combination regimens in which contraceptive steroid is administered for 21 days. Contraceptive steroid combinations are taken for 5-8 days during the first phase (7 days being preferred); for 7-11 days during the second phase (7 days preferred); and for 3-7 days during the third phase (7 days being preferred). In all three phases, an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent to 20-50 .mu.g EE is administered in combination with a progestin having a daily dosage equivalent to 65-750 .mu.g NE in the first phase, 0.25-1.0 mg NE in the second phase, and 0.35-2.0 mg NE in the third phase. A specific triphasic regimen discloses the administration of 35 .mu.g EE in each of the three 7-day phases in combination with 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, and 1.0 mg in the first, second, and third phases, respectively. A second specific triphasic regimen discloses the administration of 35 .mu.g EE in each of the three 7-day phases in combination with 50 .mu.g, 75 .mu.g, and 100 .mu.g in the first, second, and third phases, respectively. A third specific triphasic regimen discloses the administration of 35 .mu.g EE in each of the three 7-day phases in combination with 25 .mu.g, 35 .mu.g, and 50 .mu.g in the first, second, and third phases, respectively.

Lachnit-Fixson (U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,079) discloses triphasic 21-day progestin/estrogen combination regimens in which a combination of 40-70 .mu.g GTD and 20-35 .mu.g EE is administered for 4-6 days in the first phase; 50-100 .mu.g GTD and 30-50 .mu.g EE is administered for 4-6 days in the second phase; and 80-120 .mu.g GTD and 20-50 .mu.g EE is administered for 9-11 days in the third phase. Placebo is administered for 7 days following the 21-day contraceptive steroid regimen.

Pasquale (U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,839) discloses triphasic 21-day progestin/estrogen combination regimens in which a dose of 20-50 .mu.g EE is administered in all three phases in combination with a contraceptively effective daily dose of progestin in the first phase, 1.5-2 times that dose of progestin in the second phase, and 2-2.5 times the first phase dose of progestin in the third phase. Each of the three phases is 7 days long. A specific regimen discloses 20-50 .mu.g EE in combination with 500 .mu.g LNg, 750 .mu.g LNg, and 1 mg LNg during each of the three 7-day phases, respectively.

Edgren (U.S. Pat. No. 4,390,531) discloses triphasic 21-day progestin/estrogen combination regimens in which a dose of 20-40 .mu.g EE (or another estrogen in an equivalent dosage) is administered in all three phases in combination with 0.3-0.8 mg NE (or another progestin in an equivalent dosage) for 5-8 days in the first phase, twice the dose of NE for 7-11 days in the second phase, and the dose of NE being the same as in the first phase for 3-7 days in the third phase. It is preferred that each of the three phases is 7 days. Placebo is administered for 6-8 days following administration of the contraceptive steroid combination. A specific regimen discloses a first phase of 7 days of 0.5 mg NE in combination with 35 .mu.g EE, a second 7 day phase of 1.0 mg NE in combination with 35 .mu.g EE, and a third 7 day phase of 0.5 mg NE in combination with 35 .mu.g EE.

Moore (DE 4313926 A1) discloses bridged triphasic regimens consisting of the administration of a combination of 10-50 .mu.g LNg and 5-20 .mu.g EE from days 1-7 of the menstrual cycle; of 50-75 .mu.g LNg and 5-20 .mu.g EE from days 8-14 of the menstrual cycle; of 75-125 .mu.g LNg and 5-20 .mu.g EE from days 15-21 of the menstrual cycle; and 5-20 .mu.g EE from days 22-28 of the menstrual cycle.

Erlich (German Patent DE 4,104,385 C1 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,023) discloses sequential contraceptive regimens consisting of the administration of an estrogen which effects a disturbance of follicle stimulation, followed by the administration of a combination of a progestin/estrogen in a dose at least adequate to inhibit ovulation. The regimen is administered for a total of 28 days per cycle. It is preferred that the estrogen is administered for 5-14 days per cycle and the progestin/estrogen combination is administered for 23-14 days per cycle, so that the total administration is for 28 days per cycle. Specific regimens include (a) 4 mg estradiol for 7 days followed by 21 days of the combination of 1 mg norethisterone acetate and 4 mg estradiol; (b) 2 mg estradiol valerate for 7 days followed by 21 days of the combination of 2 mg chlormadinone acetate and 4 mg estradiol valerate; and (c) 20 .mu.g EE followed by 18 days of the combination of 150 .mu.g LNg and 20 .mu.g EE. Regimen (c) in Erlich provides a total steroidal load of 2.7 mg of LNg and 560 .mu.g EE per 28 day cycle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a biphasic combination progestin/estrogen oral contraceptive regimen for females of child-bearing age that provides effective contraception, good cycle control, and minimal side effects while greatly reducing the total contraceptive steroid administered (particularly the estrogenic component) per 28-day cycle. To achieve the substantial reduction in the total contraceptive steroid administered per cycle, the low dose progestin/estrogen combination is administered for 23-25-days per cycle according to a biphasic regimen that is described below. Administration of the contraceptive progestin/estrogen combination is begun on the first day of menses (day 1), and continued for 23-25 consecutive days. Following the 23-25-day administration period, a non-contraceptive placebo (devoid of progestins and estrogens) can be provided for 3-5 days, so that the total administration period per cycle is 28 days per cycle to aid in compliance with the desired contraceptive regimen. Alternatively, the 3-5-day interval can be pill free.

More particularly, this invention provides a method of contraception which comprises administering to a female of child bearing age a first phase of a combination of a progestin at a daily dosage of 40-500 .mu.g trimegestone, 250 .mu.g-4 mg dienogest, or 250 .mu.g-4 mg drospirenone, and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to 10-20 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol for 9-13 days beginning on day 1 of the menstrual cycle. The same daily dosage of the progestin and estrogen is administered for each of the 9-13 days. A second phase of a combination of a progestin at a daily dosage of 40-500 .mu.g trimegestone, 250 .mu.g-4 mg dienogest, or 250 .mu.g-4 mg drospirenone, and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to 10-20 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol is administered for 11-15 days beginning on the day immediately following the last day of administration of the first phase, such that the total administration for both phases is 23-25 days. The same daily dosage of the progestin and estrogen is administered for each of the 11-15 days. The daily dosage of the progestin in the second phase is greater that the daily dosage for the first phase, and the daily dosage of the estrogen in the second phase is typically greater than or equal to the daily dosage of estrogen in the first phase. Following the 23-25-day period, a non-contraceptive placebo, which may contain an iron supplement, such as 75 mg of ferrous fumarate, may be administered for 3-5 days (through day 28 of the menstrual cycle) or the 3-5 days following administration of the contraceptive combination may be pill free. It is preferred that total administration of the progestin/estrogen combination be 24 days. Preferred regimens include those in which the first phase is 10 days and the second phase is 14 days; and those in which the first and second phases are 12 days each. It is more preferred that the first phase is 10 days and the second phase is 14 days.

Preferred dosages of trimegestone are 50-125 .mu.g and 75-250 .mu.g when administered as the progestin in the first and second phases, respectively. Preferred dosages of dienogest are 400 .mu.g-1 mg and 800 .mu.g-2 mg when administered as the progestin in the first and second phases, respectively. Preferred dosages of drospirenone are 500 .mu.g-3 mg and 1-4 mg when administered as the progestin in the first and second phases, respectively.

Preferred estrogens include, but are not limited to ethinyl estradiol; 17 .beta.-estradiol; conjugated estrogens, USP; estrone or a salt thereof; and mestranol; with ethinyl estradiol being more preferred. Preferred salts of estrone include, but are not limited to the sodium and piperate salt. When conjugated estrogens, USP are used as the estrogen, it is preferred that the daily dosage is 0.3-5 mg, with a daily dose of 1.25 mg conjugated estrogens, USP being equivalent to a daily dose of 15 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol.

The following daily dosages of a combination of trimegestone and ethinyl estradiol are preferred for contraception when administered according to a biphasic regimen for 24 consecutive days beginning on the first day of menses, with the first phase being 10 days and the second phase being 14 days. Of the regimens provided below, Regimen B is more preferred.

______________________________________PREFERRED DAILY DOSAGESCycle Days 1-10 Cycle Days 11-24 Ethinyl EthinylRegimen Trimegestone Estradiol Trimegestone Estradiol______________________________________A 125 .mu.g 10 .mu.g 250 .mu.g 15 .mu.gB 75 .mu.g 10 .mu.g 125 .mu.g 15 .mu.gC 50 .mu.g 10 .mu.g 75 .mu.g 15 .mu.g______________________________________

The following daily dosages of a combination of dienogest and ethinyl estradiol are preferred for contraception when administered according to a biphasic regimen for 24 consecutive days beginning on the first day of menses, with the first phase being 10 days and the second phase being 14 days. Of the regimens provided below, Regimen B is more preferred.

______________________________________PREFERRED DAILY DOSAGESCycle Days 1-10 Cycle Days 11-24Regimen Dienogest Ethinyl Estradiol Dienogest Ethinyl Estradiol______________________________________A 1 mg 10 .mu.g 2 mg 15 .mu.gB 500 .mu.g 10 .mu.g 1 mg 15 .mu.gC 400 .mu.g 10 .mu.g 800 .mu.g 15 .mu.g______________________________________

The following daily dosages of a combination of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol are preferred for contraception when administered according to a biphasic regimen for 24 consecutive days beginning on the first day of menses, with the first phase being 10 days and the second phase being 14 days. Of the regimens provided below, Regimen C is more preferred.

______________________________________PREFERRED DAILY DOSAGESCycle Days 1-10 Cycle Days 11-24 Ethinyl EthinylRegimen Drospirenone Estradiol Drospirenone Estradiol______________________________________A 3 mg 10 .mu.g 4 mg 15 .mu.gB 2 mg 10 .mu.g 3 mg 15 .mu.gC 1 mg 10 .mu.g 2 mg 15 .mu.gD 500 .mu.g 10 .mu.g 1 mg 15 .mu.gE 400 .mu.g 10 .mu.g 800 .mu.g 15 .mu.g______________________________________

It is preferred that the combination progestin/estrogen contraceptive be administered in unit dosage form i.e., tablet or pill, with each unit providing the entire daily dosage. It is preferred that the progestin and estrogen are admixed together in the same dosage unit. Such dosage units can be prepared by conventional methodology that is well known to one skilled in the art. In each dosage unit, the contraceptively active progestin and estrogen are combined with excipients, vehicles, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, and colorants. For example, the following illustrates an acceptable composition of a contraceptive progestin/estrogen combination of this invention.

EXAMPLE1

Trimegestone, 125 .mu.g Ethinyl estradiol, 10 .mu.g Microcrystaline Cellulose Lactose, NF, Spray Dried Polacrillin Potassium, NF Magnesium Stearate Opadry Pink Polyethylene Glycol, 1500, Flakes Water, Purified, USP Wax E (Pharma)

This invention also provides a contraceptive kit adapted for daily oral administration which comprises, 9-13 first phase dosage units each containing fixed dosage of a combination of a progestin at a daily dosage of 40-500 .mu.g trimegestone, 250 .mu.g-4 mg dienogest, or 250 .mu.g-4 mg drospirenone, and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to 10-20 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol; and 11-15 second phase dosage units each containing fixed dosage of a combination of a progestin at a daily dosage of 40-500 .mu.g trimegestone, 250 .mu.g-4 mg dienogest, or 250 .mu.g-4 mg drospirenone, and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to 10-20 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol, such that the total number of combination progestin/estrogen dosage units is 23-25. The daily dosage of the progestin in the second phase dosage units is greater that the daily dosage for the first phase daily dosage units, and the daily dosage of the estrogen in the second phase dosage units is greater than or equal to the daily dosage of estrogen in the first phase dosage units. In another embodiment, the contraceptive kit contains 28 daily dosage units with 4 being a non-contraceptive placebo, that may contain an iron supplement, such as 75 mg ferrous fumarate. The daily dosage arrangements are preferably arranged in a blister pack or in a dial pack type tablet dispenser. Specific referred progestins and estrogens and the specifically preferred dosages of each combination dosage unit are described above.

Claims

1. A method of contraception which comprises orally administering to a female of child bearing age for 23-25 consecutive days of a 28-day menstrual cycle,

a first phase combination of a progestin at a daily dosage selected from the group consisting of 40-500 .mu.g trimegestone, ad 250 .mu.g-4 mg dienogest, and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to 10-20 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol for 9-13 days beginning on day 1 of the menstrual cycle, wherein the same dosage of the progestin and estrogen combination is administered in each of the 9-13 days, and

a second phase combination of a progestin at a daily dosage selected from the group consisting of 40-250 .mu.g trimegestone, and 400 .mu.g-4 mg dienogest and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to 10-20 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol, for 11-15 days beginning on the day immediately following the last day of administration of the first phase combination, wherein the same dosage of the progestin and estrogen combination is administered in each of the 11-15 days, provided that the daily dosage of second phase progestin is greater than the daily dosage of the first phase progestin and that the daily dosage of the second phase estrogen is greater than or equal to the daily dosage of the first phase estrogen

provided that for the remainder of the 28-day menstrual cycle, following the 23-25 day administration, no oral contraceptive agents are administered.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the estrogen is selected from the group consisting of ethinyl estradiol; 17 .beta.-estradiol; conjugated estrogens, USP; estrone or a salt thereof; and mestranol.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the estrogen is ethinyl estradiol.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the daily dosage of the first phase progestin is selected from the group consisting of 50-125 .mu.g trimegestone, and 400 .mu.g-1 mg dienogest and the daily dosage of the second phase progestin is selected from the group consisting of 75-250 .mu.g trimegestone, and 800 .mu.g-2 mg dienogest.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the total days of administration of the first phase combination plus the second phase combination is 24.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first phase combination is administered for 10 days and the second phase combination is administered for 14 days.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first phase combination is administered for 12 days and the second phase combination is administered for 12 days.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the daily dosage of trimegestone administered in the first phase combination is 75 .mu.g, the daily dosage of trimegestone administered in the second phase combination is 125 .mu.g, the daily dosage of ethinyl estradiol administered in the first phase combination is 10 .mu.g, and the daily dosage of ethinyl estradiol administered in the second phase combination is 15 .mu.g.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the daily dosage of dienogest administered in the first phase combination is 500 .mu.g, the daily dosage of dienogest administered in the second phase combination is 1 mg, the daily dosage of ethinyl estradiol administered in the first phase combination is 10 .mu.g, and the daily dosage of ethinyl estradiol administered in the second phase combination is 15 .mu.g.

10. A two phase contraceptive kit adapted for daily oral administration which comprises;

9-13 first phase dosage units each containing a combination of a progestin at a daily dosage selected from the group consisting of 40-500 .mu.g trimegestone, and 250 .mu.g-4 mg dienogest and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to 10-20 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol, provided that each of the dosage units contains the same dosage of progestin and estrogen; and

11-15 second phase dosage units each containing a combination of a progestin at a daily dosage selected from the group consisting of 40-500 .mu.g trimegestone, and 250 .mu.g-4 mg dienogest and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to 10-20 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol, provided that each of the dosage units contains the same dosage of progestin and estrogen, and further provided that the dosage of progestin in each second phase dosage unit is greater than the dosage of progestin in each first phase dosage unit, and that the dosage of the estrogen in each second phase dosage unit is greater than or equal to the dosage of estrogen in the each first phase dosage unit;

such that the total number of dosage units in the kit equals 23-25.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the daily dosage of trimegestone administered in the first phase combination is 75 .mu.g, the daily dosage of trimegestone administered in the second phase combination is 125 .mu.g, the daily dosage of ethinyl estradiol administered in the first phase combination is 10 .mu.g, and the daily dosage of ethinyl estradiol administered in the second phase combination is 15 .mu.g.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the daily dosage of dienogest administered in the first phase combination is 500 .mu.g, the daily dosage of dienogest administered in the second phase combination is 1 mg, the daily dosage of ethinyl estradiol administered in the first phase combination is 10 .mu.g, and the daily dosage of ethinyl estradiol administered in the second phase combination is 15 .mu.g.

13. A contraceptive kit adapted for daily oral administration which comprises;

9-13 first phase dosage units each containing a combination of a progestin at a daily dosage selected from the group consisting of 40-500 .mu.g trimegestone, and 250 .mu.g-4 mg dienogest and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to 10-20 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol, provided that each of the dosage units contains the same dosage of progestin and estrogen;

11-15 second phase dosage units each containing a combination of a progestin at a daily dosage selected from the group consisting of 40-500 .mu.g trimegestone, and 250 .mu.g-4 mg dienogest and an estrogen at a daily dosage equivalent in estrogenic activity to 10-20 .mu.g ethinyl estradiol, provided that each of the dosage units contains the same dosage of progestin and estrogen, and further provided that the dosage of progestin in each second phase dosage unit is greater than the dosage of progestin in each first phase dosage unit, and that the dosage of the estrogen in each second phase dosage unit is greater than or equal to the dosage of estrogen in the each first phase dosage unit; and

3-5 dosage units each containing a non-contraceptive placebo, such that the total number of dosage units in the kit equals 28.

14. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises administering a non-contraceptive placebo for 3-5 consecutive days beginning on the day immediately following the last day of administration of the second phase combination, such that the total days of administration of the first phase combination plus the second phase combination plus the non-contraceptive placebo equals 28 days.

15. The method according to claim 14 in which the non-contraceptive placebo contains an iron supplement.

16. The contraceptive kit according to claim 10 wherein the estrogen for both phases is selected from the group consisting of ethinyl estradiol; 17 .beta.-estradiol; conjugated estrogens, USP; estrone or a salt thereof; and mestranol.

17. The contraceptive kit according to claim 16, wherein the total number of dosage units equals 24.

18. The contraceptive kit according to claim 17, wherein the number of first phase dosage units equals 10 and the number of second phase dosage units equals 14.

19. The contraceptive kit according to claim 17, wherein the number of first phase dosage units equals 12, and the number of second phase dosage units equals 12.