Low rate of breakthrough bleeds with Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO

US health care major Johnson & Johnson's birth control pill Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol) resulted in significantly lower rates of breakthrough bleeding and spotting in a broad range of women compared to another low-dose combination birth control pill, according to data presented at the 55th annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, held in San Diego.

This analysis compared the breakthrough bleeding and spotting profiles of two low-dose birth control pills, containing either 25mcg or 20mcg of ethinyl estradiol and differing progestins, in women across a range of ages and weights. The findings are based on a retrospective analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of the drug, which is made by J&J unit Ortho McNeil, compared to USA-based Barr Pharmaceuticals' Loestrin Fe 1/20 (norethindrone acetate/20mcg ethinyl estradiol). The study evaluated the incidence of breakthrough bleeding and spotting for up to 13 continuous menstrual cycles.

Based on this analysis, a lower incidence of breakthrough bleeding and spotting was observed for women using Ortho versus norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol regardless of age or weight.