A woman starts the centchroman pill (Chhaya/Saheli) for contraception. The correct dosing schedule is:
- A One tablet daily from day 1 to day 21 of each cycle, then 7 days off
- B One tablet twice weekly for the first 12 weeks, then once weekly thereafter ✓
- C One tablet weekly starting on the first Sunday after menses begins
- D One tablet daily continuously without any break
Correct answer: B. One tablet twice weekly for the first 12 weeks, then once weekly thereafter
Explanation
Centchroman is taken as one tablet twice a week (for example Sunday and Wednesday) for the first 12 weeks, followed by one tablet weekly thereafter, always on the same fixed days. This schedule reflects its long half life and weak antiestrogenic action. Daily cyclic dosing (option A) applies to combined pills, weekly Sunday-start dosing (option C) is not a recognized centchroman regimen, and continuous daily use (option D) is incorrect and increases side effects.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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