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Emoquette Dosage

Generic name: DESOGESTREL 0.15mg, ETHINYL ESTRADIOL 0.03mg;
Dosage form: tablets
Drug class: Contraceptives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 29, 2024.

To achieve maximum contraceptive effectiveness, Emoquette® (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP) must be taken exactly as directed and at intervals not exceeding 24 hours. Emoquette® (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP) may be initiated using either a Sunday start or a Day 1 start.

Day 1 Start

The dosage of Emoquette® (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP) for the initial cycle of therapy is one orange "active" tablet administered daily from the 1st day through the 21st day of the menstrual cycle, counting the first day of menstrual flow as "Day 1". Tablets are taken without interruption as follows: One orange "active" tablet daily for 21 days, then one green "reminder" tablet daily for 7 days. After 28 tablets have been taken, a new course is started and an orange "active" tablet is taken the next day.

The use of Emoquette® (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP) for contraception may be initiated 4 weeks postpartum in women who elect not to breastfeed. When the tablets are administered during the postpartum period, the increased risk of thromboembolic disease associated with the postpartum period must be considered. (See CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS concerning thromboembolic disease. See also PRECAUTIONS: Nursing Mothers.) If the patient starts on Emoquette® (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP) postpartum, and has not yet had a period, she should be instructed to use another method of contraception until an orange "active" tablet has been taken daily for 7 days. The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of medication should be considered. If the patient misses one (1) orange "active" tablet in Weeks 1, 2, or 3, the orange "active" tablet should be taken as soon as she remembers. If the patient misses two (2) orange "active" tablets in Week 1 or Week 2, the patient should take two (2) orange "active" tablets the day she remembers and two (2) orange "active" tablets the next day; and then continue taking one (1) orange "active" tablet a day until she finishes the pack. The patient should be instructed to use a back-up method of birth control such as a condom or spermicide if she has sex in the seven (7) days after missing pills. If the patient misses two (2) orange "active" tablets in the third week or misses three (3) or more orange "active" tablets in a row, the patient should throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. The patient should be instructed to use a back-up method of birth control if she has sex in the seven (7) days after missing pills.

Sunday Start

When taking Emoquette® (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP) the first orange "active" tablet should be taken on the first Sunday after menstruation begins. If the period begins on Sunday, the first orange "active" tablet is taken on that day. If switching directly from another oral contraceptive, the first orange "active" tablet should be taken on the first Sunday after the last ACTIVE tablet of the previous product. Tablets are taken without interruption as follows: One orange "active" tablet daily for 21 days, then one green "reminder" tablet daily for 7 days. After 28 tablets have been taken, a new course is started and an orange "active" tablet is taken the next day (Sunday). When initiating a Sunday start regimen, another method of contraception should be used until after the first 7 consecutive days of administration.

The use of Emoquette® (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP) for contraception may be initiated 4 weeks postpartum. When the tablets are administered during the postpartum period, the increased risk of thromboembolic disease associated with the postpartum period must be considered. (See CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGSconcerning thromboembolic disease. See also PRECAUTIONS: Nursing Mothers.) If the patient starts on Emoquette® (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, USP) postpartum, and has not yet had a period, she should be instructed to use another method of contraception until an orange "active" tablet has been taken daily for 7 days. The possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of medication should be considered. If the patient misses one (1) orange “active” tablet in Weeks 1, 2, or 3, the orange "active" tablet should be taken as soon as she remembers. If the patient misses two (2) orange "active" tablets in Week 1 or Week 2, the patient should take two (2) orange "active" tablets the day she remembers and two (2) orange "active" tablets the next day; and then continue taking one (1) orange "active" tablet a day until she finishes the pack. The patient should be instructed to use a back-up method of birth control such as a condom or spermicide if she has sex in the seven (7) days after missing pills. If the patient misses two (2) orange "active" tablets in the third week or misses three (3) or more orange "active" tablets in a row, the patient should continue taking one orange "active" tablet every day until Sunday. On Sunday the patient should throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. The patient should be instructed to use a back-up method of birth control if she has sex in the seven (7) days after missing pills.

Further information

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