Marvelon Mechanism of Action

ATC Code: G03A A09.
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: The contraceptive effect of COCs is based on the interaction of various factors, the most important of which are seen as the inhibition of ovulation and the changes in the cervical secretion. As well as protection against pregnancy, COCs have several positive properties which, next to the negative properties (see Warnings under Precautions and Adverse Reactions), can be useful in deciding on the method of birth control. The cycle is more regular and the menstruation is often less painful and bleeding is lighter. The latter may result in a decrease in the occurrence of iron deficiency. Apart from this, with the higher-dosed COCs (50 μg ethinylestradiol), there is evidence of a reduced risk of fibrocystic tumours of the breasts, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and endometrial and ovarian cancer. Whether this also applies to lower-dosed COCs remains to be confirmed.
Pharmacokinetics: Desogestrel: Absorption: Orally administered desogestrel is rapidly and completely absorbed and converted to etonogestrel. Peak serum concentrations are reached at about 1.5 hours. Bioavailability is 62-81%.
Distribution: Etonogestrel is bound to serum albumin and to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Only 2 - 4 % of the total serum drug concentrations are present as free steroid, 40 - 70 % are specifically bound to SHBG. The ethinylestradiol-induced increase in SHBG influences the distribution over the serum proteins, causing an increase of the SHBG-bound fraction and a decrease of the albumin-bound fraction. The apparent volume of distribution of desogestrel is 1.5 l/kg.
Metabolism: Etonogestrel is completely metabolized by the known pathways of steroid metabolism. The metabolic clearance rate from serum is about 2 ml/min/kg. No interaction was found with the co-administered ethinylestradiol.
Elimination: Etonogestrel serum levels decrease in two phases. The terminal disposition phase is characterized by a half-life of approximately 30 hours. Desogestrel and its metabolites are excreted at a urinary to biliary ratio of about 6:4.
Steady-State Conditions: Etonogestrel pharmacokinetics are influenced by SHBG levels, which are increased threefold by ethinylestradiol. Following daily ingestion, drug serum levels increase about two- to three-fold, reaching steady state conditions during the second half of the treatment cycle.
Ethinylestradiol: Absorption: Orally administered ethinylestradiol is rapidly and completely absorbed. Peak serum concentrations are reached within 1-2 hours. Absolute bioavailability as a result of presystemic conjugation and first-pass metabolism is approximately 60%.
Distribution: Ethinylestradiol is highly but non-specifically bound to serum albumin (approximately 98.5%) and induces an increase in the serum concentrations of SHBG. An apparent volume of distribution of about 5 l/kg was determined.
Metabolism: Ethinylestradiol is subject to presystemic conjugation in both small bowel mucosa and the liver. Ethinylestradiol is primarily metabolized by aromatic hydroxylation but a wide variety of hydroxylated and methylated metabolites are formed, and these are present as free metabolites and as conjugates with glucuronides and sulfate. The metabolic clearance rate is about 5 ml/min/kg.
Elimination: Ethinylestradiol serum levels decrease in two disposition phases, the terminal disposition phase is characterized by a half-life of approximately 24 hours.
Unchanged drug is not excreted; ethinylestradiol metabolites are excreted at a urinary to biliary ratio of 4:6. The half-life of metabolite excretion is about 1 day.
Steady-State Conditions: Steady state concentrations are reached after 3-4 days when serum drug levels are higher by 30 - 40% as compared to single dose.
Toxicology: Preclinical safety data: Preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans when COCs are used as recommended. This is based on conventional studies of repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenic potential and toxicity to reproduction. However, it must be borne in mind that sex steroids can promote the growth of certain hormone-dependent tissues and tumours.