MERZEE (ethinyl estradiol)
Merzee is a combination oral contraceptive containing norethindrone acetate (a progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen), indicated for use by females of reproductive potential to prevent pregnancy. The tablets are taken daily in a 28-day cycle to provide continuous contraceptive protection.
How MERZEE Works
Merzee prevents pregnancy primarily by suppressing ovulation, preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries. Secondary mechanisms include thickening of cervical mucus to inhibit sperm penetration and alterations to the endometrium to reduce implantation likelihood.
Details
- Status
- Prescription
- First Approved
- 2020-12-18
- Routes
- ORAL
- Dosage Forms
- CAPSULE
Companies
MERZEE Approval History
What MERZEE Treats
1 FDA approvalsOriginally approved for its first indication in 2020 .
- Other (1)
Other
(1 approval)- • Approved indication (Dec 2020)
MERZEE Boxed Warning
CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive (COC) use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. For this reason, COCs, including Iclevia, are contraindicated in women who are over 35 years of age and smoke [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS C...
WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive (COC) use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. For this reason, COCs, including Iclevia, are contraindicated in women who are over 35 years of age and smoke [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Iclevia is contraindicated in women over 35 years old who smoke. ( 4 ) Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive (COC) use. ( 5.1 )
Clinical Trial Registry
2 trials| Trial | Sponsor ID | Phase | Status | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07340190 | CDAK539A12102 2025-521000-22-00 | Ph 1 | not yet recruiting | A Drug-drug Interaction Study to Evaluate the Effects of Pelabresib on the Pharmacokinetics of Repaglinide, Midazolam, and Combined Oral Contraceptive in Patients With Advanced Malignancies |
| NCT06039826 | 18533 J1I-MC-GZBV | Ph 1 | completed | A Study of LY3437943 in Postmenopausal Female Participants Who Are Overweight or Obese |
Active Pipeline
Ongoing clinical trials by development phase
Key Completed Trials
Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance
Trial Timeline
Full development history with FDA approval milestones
Understanding FDA Approval Types
| Count | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| - | ORIG | Original approval - drug first enters market |
| - | SUPPL - Efficacy | New indication (new disease/condition approved) |
| - | SUPPL - Labeling | Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates) |
| - | SUPPL - Manufacturing | Production changes (new facility) |
| - | SUPPL - Chemistry | Formulation changes (new dosage strength) |
Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.
MERZEE FDA Label Details
Indications & Usage
Iclevia TM (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets) is indicated for use by females of reproductive potential to prevent pregnancy. Iclevia is a combination of levonorgestrel, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen, indicated for use by females of reproductive potential to prevent pregnancy.
WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combination oral contraceptive (COC) use. This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked. For th...
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Data Sources
Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.