Beyaz(R): an oral contraceptive fortified with folate.

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Fruzzetti F

Beyaz(R): an oral contraceptive fortified with folate.

Womens Health (Lond). 2012 Jan;8(1):13-9. doi: 10.2217/whe.11.68.

PubMed ID
22171769 [ View in PubMed
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Abstract

Beyaz((R)) (Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Berlin, Germany) consists of 28 film-coated tablets: 24 tablets each containing 3 mg drospirenone plus 20 microg ethinylestradiol (EE) and 451 microg levomefolate calcium followed by four tablets, each containing 451 microg levomefolate calcium. It has the same indications of the parent compound 20 microg EE/3 mg drospirenone in a 24/4-day regimen (i.e., contraception, moderate acne, premenstrual dysforic disorder). In addition, the 24-day regimen with 20 microg EE/3 mg drospirenone/levomefolate calcium assure significant increases in red blood cell and plasma folate levels reaching values indicated to be protective in reducing the risk of neural tube defects. A progressive decrease in folate levels has been observed in women taking a 30 microg EE pill fortified with the same dose of levomefolate calcium upon discontinuation. At 4 and 8 weeks following cessation of the oral contraceptive, red blood cell folate levels >906 nmol/l were measured in 85 and 60% of women respectively. Because of this, the folate-containing pill may aid in reducing the risk of neural tube defects in a pregnancy conceived during use or shortly after the discontinuation of the product.

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