Expert opinion on a flexible extended regimen of drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol contraceptive

Introduction: Oral contraceptives are often prescribed in extended or continuous forms in order to manage menstrual bleeding and menstrual-related side effects. However, with extended regimens, unscheduled intracycle bleeding can become problematic. Flexible extended dosing of a contraceptive containing drospirenone (DRSP) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) was designed to improve bleeding profiles during extended cycles through active management of bleeding symptoms.

Areas covered: We examine the rationale for flexible extended dosing as well as review the dosing regimen. We will focus on the findings of the two most important clinical trials regarding flexible extended DRSP/EE (3 mg/20 μg), including the bleeding profiles of women in those trials. Pharmacology, mechanisms of action, efficacy as well as safety of DRSP containing pills will also be reviewed.

Expert opinion: Flexible extended dosing of DRSP/EE (3 mg/20 μg) has similar pharmacokinetics and contraceptive efficacy of both conventional and fixed extended regimens. However, it has the added benefit of fewer days of bleeding/spotting compared to conventional and fixed extended regimens.