Dispensing packages containing novel cyclic progestogen-interrupted estrogen oral contraceptive regimens

Claim 1

In combination, a dispensing package having cyclic progestogen-interrupted estrogen oral contraceptives in unit dosage forms therein, said unit dosage forms being adapted for oral administration of one unit dosage form daily in a predetermined sequence during a 28 day medication administration cycle, said sequence being predetermined by the manner in which said unit dosage forms are stored in said dispensing package, said dispensing package bearing directions to take one unit dosage form daily in the directed sequence; said combination comprising a unitary member having 20 to 28 individual storage pods formed therein, said storage pods corresponding to the 20 to 28 days during which unit dosage forms are to be administered, the storage pods beginning with a storage pod corresponding to one of the 3rd to 6th days of said cycle and every second or third day thereafter having therein a unit dosage form having a combination of about 0.01 mg. to about 2.0 mg. estrogen and about 0.03 mg. to about 10.0 mg. of a progestogen, and said storage pods beginning with a storage pod corresponding to one of the 4th to 7th days of said cycle and every other day thereafter on which a combination formulation is not adminstered having therein a unit dosage form having only a progestogen in an amount of about 0.03 mg. to about 10.0 mg. as the active contraceptive component, said package containing progestogen-containing unit dosage forms for administration during a period of 20 to 23 consecutive days during said 28 day cycle; and retaining means adapted to maintain each unit dosage form in its individual storage pod until it is desired to dispense the unit dosage form therefrom, the amounts of said estrogen and progestogen in said unit dosage forms being effective to control the fertility of an otherwise fertile woman.