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01/12/2003
Single-dose 'morning after' pill introduced
The dosage for the emergency 'morning after' pill has been changed to offer more benefits to users "without compromising the drug's safety or effectiveness", the health department has said.
In response to new data from a World Health Organisation (WHO) study, the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) advised recently that the dose should change from two tablets taken 12 hours apart to a single dose of two tablets taken together.
As part of an international study involving more than 2,700 women, the WHO trial compared a single 1.5mg dose of levonorgestrel with the standard two-dose regime of 0.75mg given 12 hours apart.
The study found that patients may fail to take the second dose, so a single dose should mean increased compliance and as a result a lower number of unwanted pregnancies.
The drug, Levonelle, is a licensed medicine available for purchase over the counter under the supervision of a pharmacist. Levonelle-2 is the prescription-only equivalent that is frequently supplied by nurses under a patient group direction (PGD).
The new dose was formally authorised in mid-October and new packs will become available to patients before the end of the year.
Relevant information has been sent to healthcare professionals and retailers making them aware of the change.
Health Minister Lord Warner said: "The evidence shows that the new dose is safe and effective. There are clear benefits to patients in making this change - a single dose will improve compliance and hence reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies."
(gmcg)
In response to new data from a World Health Organisation (WHO) study, the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) advised recently that the dose should change from two tablets taken 12 hours apart to a single dose of two tablets taken together.
As part of an international study involving more than 2,700 women, the WHO trial compared a single 1.5mg dose of levonorgestrel with the standard two-dose regime of 0.75mg given 12 hours apart.
The study found that patients may fail to take the second dose, so a single dose should mean increased compliance and as a result a lower number of unwanted pregnancies.
The drug, Levonelle, is a licensed medicine available for purchase over the counter under the supervision of a pharmacist. Levonelle-2 is the prescription-only equivalent that is frequently supplied by nurses under a patient group direction (PGD).
The new dose was formally authorised in mid-October and new packs will become available to patients before the end of the year.
Relevant information has been sent to healthcare professionals and retailers making them aware of the change.
Health Minister Lord Warner said: "The evidence shows that the new dose is safe and effective. There are clear benefits to patients in making this change - a single dose will improve compliance and hence reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies."
(gmcg)
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