Adella

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Adella

Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Adella

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active Ingredients Chlormadinone Acetate, Ethinyl Estradiol
Form Oral tablet (Monophasic)
Pharmacological Class Sex hormones and modulators of the genital system
Common Use Contraception (Pregnancy prevention)
Origin Synthetic (Steroid hormones)

What Type of Medicine is Adella? Identity and Classification

Adella is a prescription-only medication classified as a Combined Hormonal Contraceptive (CHC), which functions as an Oral Contraceptive (OC) designed for systemic use. It belongs to the high-level pharmacological class of Sex hormones and modulators of the genital system. The drug is of synthetic origin, utilizing chemically derived steroid hormones to achieve its intended effect. This specific combination is indicated as a hormonal contraceptive.

Composition: The Combination of Chlormadinone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol

This medicine is a combination product defined by two active ingredients: Chlormadinone Acetate (a progestin) and Ethinyl Estradiol (an estrogen). This formulation is particularly notable because Chlormadinone Acetate is a synthetic progesterone derivative that possesses antiandrogenic properties, functioning as an androgen receptor antagonist alongside its progestational action. Adella is formulated as a monophasic tablet, ensuring the concentration of these two components remains constant in each active dose.

Purpose: What is Adella Used For?

The fundamental therapeutic use of Adella is Contraception, or pregnancy prevention, achieved through the systemic hormonal action of its dual components. This consistent hormonal input provides a reliable, recognized method for preventing conception. As a beneficial secondary effect stemming from the regulated hormonal exposure, the drug also contributes to the support and regulation of menstrual bleeding patterns, often resulting in a more predictable cycle for the user.

Regulatory References

  1. Contraception (StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf)

What side effects are possible with Adella?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Regulatory authorities compile the official safety profile of Adella based on clinical trial data and post-market reports, defining all known side effects and use limitations. Adverse reactions are systematically classified to communicate their frequency and severity.

Adverse Reaction Classification

Adverse reactions are grouped by the specific part of the body affected, known as the System-Organ-Class (SOC), in official regulatory documents. Frequency is typically categorized using standardized regulatory definitions:

  • Very Common: May affect more than 1 in 10 people.
  • Common: May affect up to 1 in 10 people.
  • Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare: These categories account for adverse reactions that occurred less frequently in clinical trials.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Restrictions

Serious Adverse Reactions—those resulting in outcomes such as death, life-threatening events, or hospitalization—are specifically highlighted in regulatory labels as risks demanding the highest level of attention. These reports define the critical safety boundaries of the medicine.

Formal Contraindications represent strict limitations where the drug must not be used (e.g., in cases of known hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients). Additionally, the official documents contain Warnings and Precautions that identify conditions or patient situations requiring particular medical caution or careful assessment before and during treatment.

Population-Specific Safety

Safety data includes specific statements regarding use in certain groups, such as the pediatric population (e.g., observed safety profile in children aged 12 and above) and safety restrictions for use in pregnancy and breastfeeding. This information ensures the official risk profile accounts for variations in patient groups. Post-authorization surveillance continues to monitor the safety profile over the long term, contributing to the ongoing regulatory risk assessment.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose Scope

  • Documented overdose presentations: Manifestations following acute ingestion of a large dose are typically non-serious and may include nausea, vomiting, and breast tenderness.
  • Physiological systems affected (as stated in label): Documented effects primarily involve the gastrointestinal system and the reproductive system, with symptoms such as vaginal bleeding (or withdrawal bleeding/spotting) being recognized.
  • Dose-related or exposure-related factors (if applicable): The documented manifestations are associated with the acute ingestion of a large dose of the tablets.
  • Population-specific overdose notes (if applicable): In females who have not yet reached menarche (pre-pubertal), vaginal bleeding may specifically occur as a result of acute estrogen component exposure.
  • Emergency-response statements (as written in official documents): Seek immediate medical attention for any suspected overdose event.
  • When immediate medical help is required (label-derived phrasing only): Medical help is required immediately upon recognition of a potential overdose.

Overdose Classifications (High-Level)

  • Severity classification (as defined in official documents): The official labeling states that no serious deleterious effects are typically reported, and the overdose is not likely to be life-threatening.
  • Regulatory basis (EMA / FDA / etc.): Information is based on the official prescribing information for combined hormonal contraceptives.
  • Overdose-context constraints (as defined in official documents): No specific antidote is known for the combination of Chlormadinone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol.

Resulting Overdose Structure

Official overdose statements:

  • Acute overdose may present with nausea and vomiting.
  • Vaginal bleeding or withdrawal bleeding may occur.
  • No specific antidote is known for this combination.
  • Treatment is exclusively symptomatic and supportive.
  • Seek immediate medical attention and contact a Poison Control Center (if regionally mandated).

Connection to the overall overdose profile (2–4 sentences): The official regulatory profile for Adella defines the overdose event by the presence of generally mild, transient manifestations. Because there is no known antidote, the regulatory guidance mandates that immediate medical attention must be sought for professional assessment. The clinical intervention is therefore limited to providing necessary symptomatic and supportive treatment.

Therapeutic Uses of Adella

The therapeutic application of Adella (Ethinyl Estradiol/Chlormadinone Acetate) extends beyond its primary function and contributes to symptomatic support across several key symptomatic domains for women of reproductive age. While the primary indication is contraception, this class of medication is also applied to address menstrual-related symptoms and androgenic conditions.

The medication is relevant for managing conditions characterized by recurrent or episodic manifestations. Adella is commonly used for pregnancy prevention and may assist with managing conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort, such as mild-to-moderate papulopustular acne, severe monthly cramping (dysmenorrhea), and unpredictable bleeding (oligomenorrhea). This supportive use is common in clinical settings where patients require long-term support related to pregnancy prevention while also managing symptoms related to systemic imbalance.

“Adella offers support that may assist with a more stable, manageable menstrual pattern and contributes to easing the overall symptom load.”


Quick Fact: Relief for Androgen-Related Symptoms

Condition Symptom Eased Patient Benefit
Acne & Seborrhea Symptoms related to heightened physiological activity (skin oiliness and blemishes) Supports general well-being and helps ease discomfort.
Dysmenorrhea Severe menstrual cramping Contributes to managing symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.
Cycle Stability Irregular or infrequent bleeding Assists with maintaining functional stability and predictability.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH StatPearls overview on Oral Contraceptive Pills

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who Can and Cannot Use Adella?

Eligibility for using Adella (Ethinyl Estradiol/Chlormadinone Acetate) is strictly defined by official regulatory documents based on the user's health profile, age, and physiological status.

Who Is Eligible?

Use is established for females of reproductive potential who have reached menarche. The medicine is not indicated for use in women after menopause.

Absolute Contraindications (Must Not Use)

Adella is contraindicated in patients with current or a history of venous or arterial thromboembolic diseases (e.g., DVT, PE, stroke, or heart attack) or conditions predisposing to them. This includes females over 35 who smoke. It is also prohibited for those with malignant hormone-sensitive tumours (such as breast cancer), severe hepatic impairment or liver tumors, and specific risk factors like migraine with aura.

Condition Eligibility Status
Pregnancy Contraindicated (Must be discontinued)
Breastfeeding Not Recommended (Avoid use)
History of Meningioma Contraindicated

Age and Status Restrictions

Safety and efficacy are not established in all adolescents under 16 years of age. Furthermore, use is restricted until at least four weeks postpartum (if not breastfeeding) and must be stopped at least four weeks prior to any major surgery entailing prolonged immobilization.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Adella, a combined hormonal contraceptive, has an official interaction profile primarily defined by the metabolic clearance of its estrogen component, Ethinyl Estradiol. This profile identifies specific drug-drug and drug-substance interactions documented in regulatory labeling.

Contraindicated Combinations

Co-administration is contraindicated with specific Hepatitis C combination drug regimens (including Ombitasvir / Paritaprevir / Ritonavir and others) due to the documented risk of elevated liver enzymes (ALT). The use of any other hormonal contraceptive is also officially prohibited.

Pharmacokinetic and Substance Interactions

Interacting Substance Type Official Outcome Statement
Hepatic Enzyme Inducers (e.g., Rifampicin, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin) Accelerate hormone clearance, potentially leading to decreased contraceptive effectiveness and reduced hormone exposure.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Is documented as an enzyme inducer that can similarly reduce the exposure of the contraceptive hormones.

Other Documented Effects

Adella causes a documented reduction in the plasma concentration of Lamotrigine due to increased glucuronidation. For the contraindicated Hepatitis C regimens, regulatory documents mandate that Adella must be discontinued before treatment initiation and restarted two weeks following completion of the regimen.

Mechanism of Action

How Adella Works at the Biological Level

Adella functions as a Positive Allosteric Modulator (PAM) of central nervous system (CNS) GABA-A receptors (gamma-aminobutyric acid type A). It specifically binds to an allosteric site distinct from the orthosteric binding site of the endogenous inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA.

This binding enhances the receptor's response to GABA, leading to an increased frequency of chloride ion channel opening. The resulting surge of negatively charged chloride ions into the postsynaptic neuron causes cellular hyperpolarization, effectively making the neuron significantly less excitable.

This molecular cascade translates to a pervasive state of central neural inhibition across affected brain regions, including the limbic system and spinal cord. This systemic dampening of neural activity directly leads to the physiological effects of reduced limbic system activity, generalized somnolence, and a reduction of motor neuron excitability, leading to decreased muscle tone.

Dosage and Administration Information

Adella is a monophasic oral tablet intended for systemic administration. The standard dose is one tablet daily, which contains 2 mg Chlormadinone Acetate and 30 micrograms Ethinyl Estradiol. Administration follows a standardized 28-day cyclic regimen consisting of 21 consecutive days of active tablet intake, which is followed by a 7-day tablet-free interval.

The medicine is used on a daily schedule, requiring intake at the same time each day. The tablets must be taken in the sequential order indicated on the blister packaging to ensure correct dosing. Treatment initiation should occur on the first day of the menstrual period. Following a first-trimester abortion, treatment may begin immediately. Starting after delivery or a second-trimester abortion is typically postponed to between 21 and 28 days postpartum.

Procedural instructions govern how to handle delayed administration. If a tablet is missed but taken within 12 hours of the usual time, the standard schedule is continued without additional precautions. If the dose is delayed by more than 12 hours, the tablet must be taken immediately, and an additional non-hormonal barrier method is mandated for the following seven days of active use. Furthermore, if vomiting or severe diarrhea occurs within four hours of intake, the full missed tablet protocol must be followed. These instructions define the complete structural approach for the proper use of the medication.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Adella

Evidence for Use in Contraception (Pregnancy Prevention)

Research into Adella's contraceptive profile included both open-label Phase III clinical trials and large-scale, non-interventional post-marketing surveillance studies. These investigations observed outcomes in real-world settings over long periods of time. The populations included women of reproductive age (typically 18–45 years) who were new users of an oral contraceptive and those who had previously used a different hormonal contraceptive.

The core measurement used in these studies is the Pearl Index, which describes the number of pregnancies observed per 100 women who have used the medicine for one year. Data show patterns related to the observed non-occurrence of pregnancy when the medicine was used as prescribed. Long-term effects beyond the standard observation period for the Pearl Index are continually being gathered but not fully established.

Research Exploring Mild-to-Moderate Acne

The research exploring Adella's role in contexts involving skin symptoms involves Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). These studies were specifically designed to compare the medicine against a placebo or an active comparator oral contraceptive. Researchers monitored how symptoms evolved in the observed populations, particularly women diagnosed with mild-to-moderate papulopustular acne.

The measured outcomes included the measured change in the total number of acne lesions and assessments of overall skin condition via measures such as the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score. Findings describe patterns observed in these studies, which included measured changes during the study period for these specific symptom axes. Evidence is limited for the use of this medicine in severe forms of acne, as the existing trials primarily focused on the mild-to-moderate classification.

Research on Supporting Menstrual Cycle Symptoms

Adella was studied for conditions associated with acute or disruptive episodes, specifically dysmenorrhea (severe monthly cramping) and irregularities in the menstrual cycle. Research related to cycle stability included large observational studies. Studies monitored outcomes such as the observation of regular cycle patterns and the frequency of intermenstrual bleeding. Because the measured outcomes for dysmenorrhea and cycle stability were often secondary or subjective in nature, certainty remains low compared to the primary contraceptive use. The findings are primarily derived from observational settings, where other factors can influence patient-reported characteristics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Adella (FAQ)

Q: What is Adella used for?

A: Adella is a medication approved by regulatory bodies for the prevention of pregnancy. It may also be used to address certain menstrual cycle-related concerns as determined by a healthcare provider.


Q: How quickly does Adella start working?

A: The time it takes for Adella to reach its full effect can vary depending on the indication and the individual. For example, when used for contraception, it generally requires a specific time frame, often related to when the first dose is taken in the cycle. This should be clarified according to the product's official prescribing information.


Q: What should I do if I miss a dose of Adella?

A: Missing a dose of Adella can affect its intended effectiveness. If a dose is missed, it is important to refer immediately to the patient information leaflet or official prescribing instructions for specific guidance. It is generally recommended to consult a healthcare professional for specific advice based on the situation.


Q: Can I stop taking Adella if I feel better?

A: Adella is typically prescribed to manage a specific condition or prevent a particular outcome on a regular schedule. Stopping the medication, even if symptoms appear to improve, may result in the return of the original condition. Any decision to discontinue or change treatment should be made only after consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.


Q: What are the most common side effects associated with Adella?

A: As with many medications, Adella may be associated with side effects. Common effects noted in clinical trials may include nausea, breast tenderness, or headache. This information is available in the official product labeling, and patients are encouraged to discuss potential side effects with their doctor.

How should Adella be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Adella

The storage and disposal of Adella (Chlormadinone Acetate/Ethinyl Estradiol) must follow official regulatory requirements to ensure product stability and public safety.

Storage Conditions

Adella tablets must be stored at a controlled ambient temperature, typically defined as not above 30 C (86 F). The product must be protected from high heat and should not be frozen. The medicine should be kept in its original blister packaging and carton to protect the tablets from moisture and light until use. As with all medications, Adella must be stored out of the sight and reach of children.


Disposal Instructions

Unused or expired Adella should be disposed of according to local pharmaceutical waste regulations. Do not dispose of the tablets via household wastewater (e.g., flushing down the toilet) or general trash, unless specifically advised by local authorities. Utilize a drug take-back program or official collection point where available.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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