Last reviewed · How we verify
ethinyl estradiol + levonorgestrel + folic acid
This combination oral contraceptive suppresses ovulation through progestin and estrogen activity while folic acid supplementation reduces neural tube defect risk in pregnancy.
This combination oral contraceptive suppresses ovulation through progestin and estrogen activity while folic acid supplementation reduces neural tube defect risk in pregnancy. Used for Contraception and prevention of neural tube defects.
At a glance
| Generic name | ethinyl estradiol + levonorgestrel + folic acid |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Galeno Desenvolvimento de Pesquisas Clínicas |
| Drug class | Oral contraceptive with folic acid supplementation |
| Target | Progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Contraception / Women's Health |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel work synergistically to inhibit the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and suppress follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), preventing ovulation and thickening cervical mucus to provide contraceptive efficacy. The addition of folic acid addresses the known depletion of folate caused by hormonal contraceptives, reducing the risk of neural tube defects if unintended pregnancy occurs or upon discontinuation.
Approved indications
- Contraception and prevention of neural tube defects
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Breakthrough bleeding
- Mood changes
- Venous thromboembolism
Key clinical trials
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape: