Frequently Asked Questions

Do you stock Lybrel?

Short Answer

Not at this time.

Long Answer

On May 22, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration approved the use of Lybrel, a low-dose oral contraceptive that prevents pregnancy and stops periods in the majority of women who take it. The active ingredients in Lybrel are 90 micrograms of levonorgestrel (LEE-voe-nor-jes-trel), a progestin, and 20 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol (ETH-in-il es-tra-DYE-ole), an estrogen. Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol are used in a number of similar oral contraceptives, such as those listed below:

USA Trade Names:: Alesse, Aviane, Enpresse, Jolessa, Lessina, Levlen, Levlite, Levora, Lutera, Nordette, Portia, Quasense, Seasonale, Seasonique, Sronyx, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, Trivora

Canada Trade Names:: Alesse, Min-Ovral, Triphasil, Triquilar

India Trade Names:: Loette, Ovral L, Triquilar

None of these other contraceptives stop menstruation like Lybrel does but Seasonique reduces a woman's periods to four times a year. Most oral contraceptives deliver their active ingredients for 21 days. During the remaining seven days of the cycle, the active ingredients are withheld and this allows the body to begin menstruation. Lybrel is different because it delivers the ingredients for the full 28-day cycle, thus suppressing menstruation.

Many women will experience breakthrough bleeding or spotting when they begin taking Lybrel. This usually tapers off over time. Like other oral contraceptives, health risks include blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Cigarette smoking while taking Lybrel increases these risks. Lybrel does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

As with other birth control pills, Lybrel is not 100% effective even when taken correctly. If pregnancy occurs, the usual symptom of missed periods will not be present in Lybrel users.

Additional Information

Lybrel Information from Drugs.com: Patient information on the use of Lybrel.

FDA Approves Contraceptive for Continuous Use: U.S. Food and Drug Administration news release about the approval of Lybrel.