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Steroidal contraceptive use update, United States, 1989‐1994
Author(s) -
Gerstman B. Burt,
Burke Laurie,
Delaney Jeanne,
McLellan Barbara
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.023
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1099-1557
pISSN - 1053-8569
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1557(199605)5:3<141::aid-pds221>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - medicine , pill , family planning , medical prescription , levonorgestrel , developed country , gynecology , gestodene , population , pharmacy , obstetrics , family medicine , research methodology , environmental health , pharmacology
Objective — To update United States steroidal contraceptive use data for the period 1989 to 1994. Study design — Pharmaceutical marketing data were used to examine trends in the utilization and distribution of oral contraceptives, Norplant®, and Depo‐Provera®. Results — There were 56.8 million prescriptions for oral contraceptives dispensed through retail pharmacies in 1994. Estrogen and progestin doses remained fairly stable over time. The average ethinyl estradiol dose of formulations was approximately 34 μg per pill. Mentions for oral contraceptives among 35‐ to 44‐year‐old women increased. Approximately 169,000 Norplant® systems were distributed from 1991 through 1994. More than 1.5 million milliliters of Depo‐Provera® were distributed from 1993 to 1994. Conclusions — Oral contraceptives remain a popular form of contraception. Parenteral formulations have been rapidly accepted.