Lybrel Clinical Trials

What Are Lybrel Clinical Trials?

Continuous cycle combined oral contraceptives have been around since 1993, with several brand name drugs becoming FDA approved during that time. Among the most popular OCPs is Lybrel, which was introduced by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in the mid-2000s. This once-daily pill was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2007, joining the likes of Vienva, Seasonique, and Sronyx as FDA-approved OCPs.

Why is Lybrel Being Studied in Clinical Trials?

Lybrel’s main benefit is preventing unwanted pregnancy, but there may be other benefits that are currently being researched. Some studies have shown that Lybrel can make periods less painful while also cutting down on the risk of ovarian cysts. Another potential benefit for Lybrel is in acne treatment, which has become more commonly studied amongst oral contraceptives.

How Does Lybrel Treatment Work?

Lybrel works by preventing ovulation through a combination of estrogen and progestin. These hormones combined simulate pregnancy in the body, thus preventing actual pregnancy and improving the conditions of menstruation by reducing both pain/cramps and bleeding. Lybrel is taken in the form of a tablet once per day. The most common side effects include nausea, weight gain, abdominal cramps, and bloating.

There have been several landmark studies involving Lybrel in recent years. Some of the most notable studies are:

2007: Continuous vs. Cyclical Oral Contraceptives - This trial that took place between 2006 and 2008 compared the use of continuous oral contraceptives (including drugs like Lybrel) against cyclical use. More than 130 participants between the ages of 15 and 18, a group that hadn't been studied for oral contraceptive use more than once prior. Continuous oral contraceptives were found to provide greater ovarian and endometrium suppression in this study.

2008: Evaluating Extended and Continous Use Oral Contraceptives - Upon its release, there were several other drugs similar to Lybrel that were also approved by the FDA. Because of this, a large study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of Lybrel and other continuous use oral contraceptives. The study found that OCPs like Lybrel were both safe and reliable with only minor side effects.

2022: Finding Potential Link to Cancer Risk - Due to the increase in oral contraceptive use, researchers were curious to see if there was a link between the use of OCPs such as Lybrel and adverse health reactions such as cancer. At the conclusion of the study, it was determined that there wasn’t evidence that OCPs increased the risk of these potentially fatal diseases.

Who Are The Key Opinion Leaders On Lybrel Clinical Trial Research?

Dr. Kristen Wright, MD

Dr. Kristen Wright is a reproductive endocrinologist at Boston IVF and also serves as an assistant professor at the prestigious Dartmouth College. Dr. Wright has published papers regarding the use of OCPs, and she has been recognized as the top fertility doctor in the state of New Hampshire on eight occasions.

Dr. Julia V. Johnson, MD

Dr. Julia V. Johnson has worked with Dr. Wright in OCP studies, and she is currently an OBGYN at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Dr. Johnson holds degrees from several colleges including UC Davis, Emory University, and Georgie Regents University. Dr. Johnson’s fellowship came at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas.