New Pill Will Change Women's Lives Every Month

May 24, 08:50 AM

Current Headlines: By DAMIEN HENDERSON

THE first birth control pill designed to stop women's monthly periods has been approved for use in America.

Lybrel became the first pill to be given clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration for continuous use and, when taken daily, the pill can halt women's menstrual periods indefinitely as well as prevent pregnancies, its manufacturer Wyeth said.

Though there is currently no application to license the drug in Britain, Wyeth has already started marketing the pill in Europe under the brand name Anya and is expected to approach UK regulatory authorities.

Women interested in the new pill can also expect to have access to the pill via the internet.

FDA officials have warned the pill is not for everyone and about half the women enrolled in studies of Lybrel dropped out before the end.Wyeth, based in Madison, New Jersey, plans to start Lybrel sales in July.

The pill contains a low dose of two hormones already widely used in birth control pills, ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel.

A study showed Lybrel was just as effective in preventing pregnancy as a traditional pill called Alesse, which is also made byWyeth. But it may be difficult for the women to recognise if they have become pregnant because Lybrel users will not have regular periods.

A spokeswoman for the Family Planning Association welcomed the development of the drug and said it was watching "with interest" to see if it was licensed in the UK.

She said: "It will not be available in the short term, but we assume the manufacturer would want to bring it over here. For a certain amount of women it would be a nice option."

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