Gynetics launches "morning after" pill

Gynetics' Prevenkit is a Food and Drug Administration-approved product for emergency contraception that contains a patient information guide, four light blue pills, each containing 0.02 mg of levonorgestrel and 0.05mg of ethinyl estradiol, and pregnancy test.

Preven, like other "morning after" of intercourse to prevent pregnancy; it should not be confused with the European abortifacient, mifipristone (RU-486). Patients should take a pregnancy test first, to determine appropriateness of therapy. Like other oral contraceptives prescribed for emergency contraception, the first does of two Preven tablets should be take as soon as possible within 72 hours of sex without contraception, or a known or suspected contraceptive failure. The second dose of the remaining two tablets should be taken 12 hours later.

The only established mechanism of action indicates that the combination and dosage of estrogen and progestin prevents or delays ovulation. It has also been suggested that oral contraceptives prevent fertilization of an egg that has been released from the ovary and disrupt the lining of the uterine wall to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.

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