1975. It was developed following the discovery that C11 substitutions enhance the biological activity of norethisterone. Desogestrel was introduced for medical use in 1981 under the brand names Marvelon and Desogen in the Netherlands. Along with gestodene and norgestimate, it is sometimes referred to as a "third-generation" progestin based on the time of its introduction to the market. It was the first of the three "third-generation" progestins to be introduced. Although desogestrel was introduced in 1981 and was widely used in Europe from this time, it was not introduced in the United States until 1992. Society and culture Generic names Desogestrel is the generic name of the drug and its , , , , , and . While under development, it was known as ORG-2969. Brand names Desogestrel is marketed under a variety of brand names throughout the world including Alenvona, Apri, Azalia, Azurette, Bekyree, Caziant, Cerazette, Cerelle, Cesia, Cyclessa, Cyred, Denise, Desogen, Desirett, Diamilla, Emoquette, Enskyce, Feanolla, Gedarel, Gracial, Hana, Isibloom, Juleber, Kalliga, Kariva, Laurina, Linessa, Lovima, Marvelon, Mercilon, Mircette, Mirvala, Novynette, Ortho-Cept, Pimtrea, Reclipsen, Regulon, Simliya, Solia, Velivet, Viorele, and Volnea among others. Availability Desogestrel is available widely throughout the world, including in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, many other European countries, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Latin America, Asia, and elsewhere. In the United States, it is available only in combination with ethinylestradiol as a combined oral contraceptive; it is not available alone and is not approved for any other indications. In the UK, in July 2021, some Desogestrel pills were made available to purchase over the counter, without requiring a prescription from a doctor beforehand. Pharmacists use a suitability questionnaire to determine if the medication is going to be suitable for the person, and if it is then they can purchase it from a pharmacy or online (all online purchases require the suitability questionnaire completed before the medication is sent to the customer). Controversy In February 2007, the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen released a petition requesting that the Food and Drug Administration ban oral contraceptives containing desogestrel in the United States, citing studies going as far back as 1995 that suggest the risk of dangerous blood clots is doubled for women on such pills in comparison to other oral contraceptives. In 2009, Public Citizen released a list of recommendations that included numerous alternative, second-generation birth control pills that women could take in