PTCE Top 200 · #138

Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel

Seasonale / Aviane

Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel is the generic name for the brand-name drug Seasonale. It is a combined oral contraceptive used to treat extended-cycle birth control. On the PTCE Top 200 drug list, Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel ranks #138 and is one of the most frequently tested hormones/women's health medications — commonly quizzed on its brand–generic pair, drug class, and key side effects.

Generic nameEthinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel
Brand name(s)Seasonale / Aviane
Drug classCombined oral contraceptive
Class groupHormones/Women's Health
Common useextended-cycle birth control
DEA scheduleUnscheduled
AvailabilityPrescription only (Rx)

What is Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel used for?

Prevention of pregnancy (combined oral contraceptive).

What drug class is Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel?

Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel is a Combined oral contraceptive in the Hormones/Women's Health group. Knowing the class is the fastest way to predict its uses, side effects, and the brand↔generic pairs the PTCE tests.

Common side effects of Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel

Major interactions

Is Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel a controlled substance?

No. Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel is not a federally controlled substance (it is unscheduled by the DEA).

warning Boxed warning

WARNING: CIGARETTE SMOKING AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS. Smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from combined oral contraceptives; do not use in women >35 who smoke.

How to remember Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel (PTCE mnemonic)

SEASONale = SEASONal periods (4/year, extended-cycle) — EE/levonorgestrel combo OC. Clot risk; NO smoking >35yo (boxed); breakthrough bleed at first.
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PTCE exam tip

Extended-cycle pills mean just four scheduled periods a year — plus the combined-contraceptive constant: the smoking-over-35 clot-risk boxed warning.

Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel FAQ

What is the brand name for Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel?

The most common brand name for Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel is Seasonale / Aviane.

What is Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel used for?

Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel is used to treat extended-cycle birth control. Prevention of pregnancy (combined oral contraceptive).

What drug class is Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel?

Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel is a Combined oral contraceptive (Hormones/Women's Health group).

Is Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel a controlled substance?

No. Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel is not a federally controlled substance (it is unscheduled by the DEA).

Related drugs in the Hormones/Women's Health group

Drill Ethinyl Estradiol / Levonorgestrel the way the PTCE asks it

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Last reviewed June 25, 2026. Educational use only — not medical advice. Verify clinical specifics with your pharmacist or a current label source such as DailyMed. RxReflex is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).