The pills containing the hormone are a new type of contraceptive manufactured by companies such as Barr Pharmaceuticals, Watson, Organon Biosciences and Johnson & Johnson.
Contraceptives that contain desogestrel include Mircette, Kariva, Velivet, Reclipsen, Desogen, Cyclessa and Ortho-Cept.
Older contraceptives contain the hormones estrogen and progestin and work by blocking the release of eggs from a woman's ovaries. Desogestrel avoids some side effects of the older pills but increases the chance of developing serious blood clots.
Nevertheless, the consumer group believes the pills should be banned as studies suggest there is no clinical benefit when taking these drugs compared to contraceptives without desogestrel. This allegation has been submitted as part of a petition to the FDA
“By banning third-generation oral contraceptives, the FDA will potentially save hundreds of young women a year from developing venous thrombosis and its disabling and sometimes fatal consequences,” said the petition.
In 1995 the FDA reported the higher risk and the pills now contain a warning about potential side effects.
“The FDA will carefully review the petition”, said a spokeswoman for the authority.