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NORTH WALES, Pa. — Teva Women’s Health Inc. has rolled out oral contraceptive Quartette (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol) to U.S. pharmacies.
Teva said Tuesday that Quartette tablets are the only extended-regimen birth control pill approved by the Food and Drug Administration with an ascending dose of estrogen designed to provide women with four short, light periods per year.
According to the company, Quartette extends a woman’s cycle from a typical 28 days to 91 days — allowing only four periods per year and, as a result, nine months out of the year without a period.
Teva noted that women taking Quartette likely will have more bleeding or spotting between scheduled periods compared with taking a birth control pill with a 28-day dosing cycle. The company said this bleeding or spotting tends to decrease with each additional cycle.
"New contraceptive options, such as Quartette, can help women to manage their reproductive and contraceptive health in a way that fits their individual needs," stated David Portman, M.D., of the Columbus Center for Women’s Health Research in Columbus, Ohio, and the clinical investigator for Quartette. "Quartette’s dosing regimen makes it an option for women who want to have more period-free days, with four scheduled periods per year."
Teva added that it’s offering a Quartette Savings Card to help make birth control more affordable for women. Certain terms and restrictions apply.
"Teva Women’s Health has led the pharmaceutical industry in the development and marketing of extended-regimen oral contraceptives, of which Quartette is the most recent option," commented Martin Berndt, vice president and general manager for U.S. brand pharmaceuticals at Teva Women’s Health. "Through striving to address unmet needs and closely engaging with women and health care providers, Teva continues to serve as a true partner for women as they manage their health through their reproductive years."
