2023-08-17 07:59:27
The morning-following pill is more effective once morest unwanted pregnancies when taken with a painkiller, compared to taking it alone, according to a Hong Kong study released on Wednesday.
Published in the scientific journal “The Lancet”, this study was conducted in Hong Kong between 2018 and 2022 on a random sample of 860 women who requested emergency contraception in a center.
A test conducted in 1998 on levonorgestrel, one of the most popular morning-following pills, proved that this progestogen might prevent an unwanted pregnancy in 95% of cases, when taken within 24 hours following a unprotected relationship.
According to the study, out of a group of 418 women who received levonorgestrel with piroxicam – a drug available on prescription to treat arthritis pain and inflammation – only one became pregnant, an effectiveness of 99.8%.
A second group of the same size received a placebo of the painkiller and recorded seven pregnancies, for an effectiveness rate of 98.3%.
A “really great” result, estimated with AFP Sue Lo, co-researcher in this study and member of the Hong Kong Family Planning, describing this discovery as “pioneering”.
The two subgroups showed no noticeable difference in side effects, namely delayed periods, the researchers said.
The study’s first author, Raymond Li, explained that the purpose of the study was to suggest that an “immediately available and safe” drug might boost the effectiveness of levonorgestrel.
However, Ms Lo stressed that further research is needed, saying it is “a bit too early to ask women” to associate piroxicam with their morning following pills.
“Anyone who needs emergency contraception should see a doctor,” she said, adding that any combination of drugs should be discussed with a specialist.
The survey results “may not apply to all patients,” noted Erica Cahill, of Stanford Medical University, in a separate commentary published by “The Lancet.”
Ms. Cahill, who is not involved in the study, pointed out that the participants were mainly Asian and weighed less than 70 kilos.
The increased efficacy of the treatment “may not be generalizable to patients with a higher body mass index,” she said.
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