A randomised comparative study of Triquilar versus Marvelon: the Malaysian experience

PIP:
Health workers in Malaysia randomly assigned either a low-dose triphasic or a low-dose monophasic oral contraceptive (Triquilar and Marvelon, respectively) to 198 women to examine discontinuation rates and reasons for discontinuation. 15.3% of Triquilar women and 9.1% of Marvelon women forgot to take 1 pill at some time during the study while 6.1% and 3% forgot to take at least 3 consecutive pills. There were more complaints and/or complications among Triquilar women than among Marvelon women. The most serious complication was severe headaches (only 1 woman from each group). 2 women in the Marvelon group complained of either generalized itchiness or digestion impairment. Complaints of women in the Triquilar group included localized and generalized itchiness, weight gain, digestion impairment, dryness of vagina, and numbness of extremities. Women in the Triquilar group were more likely to have menstrual complaints than those in the Marvelon group (14.3% vs. 9.1%). The leading menstrual complaint in both groups was spotting (6.1% vs. 4%). No Marvelon women reported menorrhagia, scanty menses, or intermenstrual pelvic pain or discomfort while at least 1 woman did from the Triquilar group. The percentage of women with changes in complaints since admission were the same for both groups. Total discontinuation rates which included lost to follow ups were 46.9% and 40%, respectively. The most common reason for discontinuation for both groups was desired method change (11.2% Triquilar and 14.1% Marvelon). Method unrelated reasons (unable to return to clinic, moving/travel, and not interested in the study) were the next most common reason for discontinuation. 3 women conceived while taking Triquilar. These pregnancies were attributed to method failure, perhaps due to incomplete pituitary suppression. There were no accidental pregnancies in the Marvelon group.