A patient has requested an oral contraceptive to reduce the risk of pregnancy. The physician prescribes ethinyl estradiol 30-drospirenone 3 to be cycled for 21 days and followed by a 7 day break. Which classification of contraceptive is ethinyl estradiol 30-drospirenone 3?

Explanation

•Ethinyl estradiol 30-drospirenone 3, trade name Yasmin, is a monophasic oral contraceptive.

•Monophasic contraceptives contain the same dose of estrogen and progesterone for the entire dosing schedule. The patient receives 21 days of the active drug, which is then followed by a 7 day period of a placebo to allow withdrawal bleeding.

•Multiphasic contraceptives contain both estrogen and progesterone at different dosages throughout the cycle.

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