A 31-year-old woman starts the non-steroidal oral contraceptive centchroman (Saheli). What is the correct dosing schedule?
- A One tablet weekly throughout, starting on day 1 of the cycle
- B One tablet twice weekly for the first 12 weeks, then once weekly ✓
- C One tablet daily for 21 days followed by a 7-day break
- D Two tablets once weekly continuously without change
Correct answer: B. One tablet twice weekly for the first 12 weeks, then once weekly
Explanation
Centchroman is taken as one 30 mg tablet twice a week (for example Sunday and Wednesday) for the first 12 weeks, after which the frequency is reduced to once weekly indefinitely. It is taken on fixed days regardless of bleeding. The 21-day cyclic schedule applies to combined pills, not to centchroman, which is a selective estrogen receptor modulator acting on the endometrium and ovum transport.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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