News by Jennifer Walker-Journey

Contraceptive spray touted as safer alternative to pills, patches

spray contraceptive1A new contraceptive spray currently in clinical trials is showing positive results in patients, according to Australian drug maker Acrux. The company’s Nestorone MDTS is a fourth-generation progestin contraceptive that has no androgenic hormonal effects and a good safety profile. The spray is a small, hand-held, easy-to-use spray designed to provide an easy and convenient means to deliver a preset dose of therapeutic drug directly to the skin. It is being touted by its maker as a “better choice” for women using hormonal contraceptive pills or patches.

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Women should spend more time weighing risks of birth control options

birth20control 150x150A British survey suggests one in three women spend no more than five minutes selecting a suitable contraceptive method to use, according to Medical News Today. The report, conducted by Family Planning Association, is part of the organization’s Finding the Perfect Partner (Choose What You Use) campaign to help reduce unplanned pregnancy and abortion, and to promote greater control over contraceptive choice among women and health professionals. It found that despite the seemingly little care women put into the decision of what type of birth control to use, nearly half have had an unwanted pregnancy scare.

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TCU students urged to heed contraception patch warnings

evra 3patches 150x150Students at Texas Christian University (TCU) now have access to more affordable contraceptives through the university’s Health Center, according to the TCU news Web site Daily Skiff. The Health Center negotiated a contract with drug companies to offer the discounted rates to students requesting contraceptives such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen and the Ortho Evra Contraceptive Transdermal Patch.

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Another J&J patch causing deaths in users

Drug maker Johnson & Johnson is recalling another one of its patches, the Duragesic fentanyl pain patch. According to BNet Business Network, the fentanyl patch is highly addictive and has been linked to deaths caused by the patches to leak too much medicine into the body.

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