Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol (0.03 mg)

This is indicated in oral contraception.

This is a combined oral contraceptive tablet containing the synthetic progestogen, drospirenone and the synthetic estrogen, ethinylestradiol. The contraceptive effect of this tablet is based on the interaction of various factors, the most important of which are seen as the inhibition of ovulation and the changes in cervical secretion. When this tablet is taken according to instructions, the egg cells are prevented from maturing to the point at which they can be fertilized, the cervical mucus remains thick so as to constitute a barrier to sperm and the endometrium is rendered unreceptive to implantation. As well as protection against pregnancy, estrogen/progestogen combinations have several positive properties which, next to the negative properties, can be useful in deciding on the method of birth control. The cycle is more regular and the menstruation is often less painful and bleeding is lighter.

Drospirenone has antimineralocorticoid activity, counteracting estrogen related sodium retention. In combination with ethinylestradiol, drospirenone displays a favourable lipid profile with an increase in high-density lipoprotein HDL. Drospirenone exerts antiandrogenic activity and does not counteract the ethinylestradiol-related sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) increase which is useful for binding and inactivating the endogenous androgens. Drospirenone is devoid of any androgenic, estrogenic, glucocorticoid and antiglucocorticoid activity. This in combination with the antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic properties, gives drospirenone a biochemical and pharmacological profile closely resembling the natural hormone progesterone.

When and how to take the tablets: The this tablet pack contains 21 tablets. On the pack, each tablet is marked with the day of the week on which it is to be taken. Take your tablet at about the same time each day, with some water if necessary. Follow the direction of the arrows until all 21 tablets have been taken. During the next 7 days don't take any tablet. A period should begin during these 7 days (the withdrawal bleed), unusually it will start on day 2-3 after the last this tablettablet. Start taking your next pack on the 8th day even if your period continues. This means that you will always start new packs on the same day of the week and also that you have your withdrawal bleed on about the same days each month.

Starting your first pack of this tablet: When no hormonal contraceptive has been used in the past month. Start taking this tablet on the first day of your cycle, i.e. the first day of menstrual bleeding. Take a tablet marked with that day of the week. For example, if your period starts on a Sunday, take a tablet marked Sunday. Then follow thedaysin order. You may also start on days 2-5 of your cycle, but in that case make sure you also use an additional contraceptive method (barrier method) for the first 7 days of tablet-taking in the first cycle.

When changing form another combined Pill: You can start taking this tablet the day after you have the last tablet from your present Pill pack (this means no tablet-free break). If your present Pill pack also contains inactive tablets you can start this tablet on the day after taking the first active tablet (if you are not sure which this is, ask your doctor or pharmacist). You can also start later, but never later than the day following the tablet free break of your present Pill (or the day after the last inactive tablet of your present Pill).

When changing from progestogen-only Pill (Mini Pill): You can stop taking the mini pill any day and start taking this tablet the next day, at the same time. But make sure you also use an additional-contraceptive method (a barrier method) for the first 7 days of tablet-taking when having intercourse.

When changing from an Injectable or Implant: Start using this tablet when your next injection is due or on the day that your implant is removed. But make sure you also use an additional contraceptive method (a barrier method) for the first 7 days of tablet-taking when having intercourse.

After having a baby: If you have just had a baby, your doctor may tell you to wait until after your first normal period before you start taking this tablet. Sometimes it is possible to start sooner. Your doctor will advise you. If you are breast-feeding and want to take this tablet you should discuss this first with your doctor.

After a miscarriage or an abortion: Your doctor will advise you.

If too many this tablet tablets are taken (overdose): There have been no reports of serious harmful effects from taking too many this tablet tablets at one time. If you have taken several tablets at a time, you may have nausea, vomiting or vaginal bleeding. If you discover that a child has taken this tablet ask your doctor for advice.

When you want to stop taking this tablet: You can stop taking this tablet at any time you want. If you do not want to become pregnant, ask your doctor about other methods of birth control. If you stop taking this tablet because you want to get pregnant, it is generally recommended that you wait until you have had a natural period before trying to conceive.

If you forget to take tablets

• If you are less than 12 hours late in taking a tablet, the reliability of the Pill is maintained. Take the tablet as soon as you remember and take the next tablets at the usual times.
• If you are more than 12 hours late in taking any tablet, the reliability of the Pill may be reduced. The more consecutive tablets you have missed, the higher the risk that the contraceptive efficacy is decreased. There is a particularly high risk of becoming pregnant if you miss tablets at the beginning or at the end of the pack. Therefore, you should follow the rules given below.

More than one tablet forgotten in a pack: Ask your doctor for advice.

• 1 tablet missed in week 1: Take the missed tablet as soon as your remember (even if this means taking two tablets at the same time) and take the next tablets at the usual time. Use extra contraceptive precautions (barrier method) for the next 7 days. If you had sexual intercourse in the week before missing the tablets, there is a possibility of becoming pregnant. So tell your doctor immediately.
• 1 tablet missed in week 2: Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember (even if this means taking two tablets at the same time) and take the next tablets at the usual time. The reliability of the Pill is maintained. You need not use extra contraceptive precautions.
• 1 tablet missed in week 3: You may choose either of the following options, without the need for extra contraceptive precautions.

Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember (even if this means taking two tablets at the same time) and take the next tablets at the usual time. Start the next pack as soon as the current pack is finished so that no gap is left between packs. You may not have a withdrawal bleed until the end of the second pack but you may have spotting or breakthrough bleeding on tablet-taking days. Or

Stop taking tablets from your current pack, have a tablet-free break of 7 days or less (also count the day you missed your tablet) and continue with the next pack. When, following this method, you can always start your next pack on the same day of the week as you usually do.

If you have forgotten tablets in a pack and you do not have the expected period in the first normal tablet-free break, you may be pregnant. Consult your doctor before you start with the next pack.

you vomit: If you vomit within 3 to 4 hours after taking your this tablet tablet, the active ingredients may not have been completely absorbed. This is like missing a tablet. Therefore, follow the advice for missed tablets.

you want to delay your period: you can delay your period if you start with your next pack of this tablet immediately after finishing your current pack. You can continue with this pack for as long as you wish, until this pack is empty. When you wish your period to begin, just stop tablet taking. While using the second pack you may have some breakthrough bleeding or spotting on tablet-taking days. Start with your next pack after the usual 7 days tablet free break.

you want to change the starting day of your period: If you take your tablets as directed, you will have your period on about the same day every 4 weeks. If you want to change this, just shorten, (never lengthen) the next tablet- free break. For example, if your period usually starts on a Friday and in future you want it to start on Tuesday (3 days earlier) you should now start your next pack 3 days sooner than you usually do. If you make your tablet-free break very short (e.g. 3 days or less) you may not have bleeding during the break. You may have some breakthrough bleeding or spotting during the use of the next pack.

you have unexpected bleeding: With all Pills, for the first few months, you can have irregular vaginal bleeding (spotting or breakthrough bleeding) between your periods. You may need to use sanitary protection, but continue to take your tablets as normal. Irregular vaginal bleeding usually stops once your body has adjusted to the Pill (usually after about 3 tablet-taking cycles). If it continues, becomes heavy or starts again, tell your doctor.

you have missed a period: If you have taken all of your tablets at the right time and you have not vomited or used other medicines then you are very unlikely to be pregnant. Continue to take this tablet as usual.

If you miss your period twice in row, you may be pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately. Do not start the next pack of this tablet until your doctor has checked you are not pregnant.

Preparations containing estrogen/progestogen combinations should not be used in the presence of any of the conditions listed below. If any of the conditions appear for the first time during their use, the product should be stopped immediately.

• Thrombosis (venous or arterial) present or in history (e.g. deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident)
• Presence or history of prodromi of a thrombosis (e.g.transient ischaemic attack, angina pectoris)
• Presence or history of migraine with focal neurological symptoms
• Diabetes mellitus with vascular involvement
• Disturbed lipometabolism
• The presence of a severe or multiple risk factor(s) for venous or arterial thrombosis may also constitute a contraindication
• Pancreatitis or a history thereof if associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia
• Presence or history of severe hepatic disease as long as liver function values have not returned to normal
• Severe renal insufficiency or acute renal failure
• Presence or history of liver tumours (benign or malignant)
• Known or suspected malignant conditions of the genital organs or the breasts, if sex steroid-influenced
• Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
• Known or suspected pregnancy
• Hypersensitivity to any of the components of this tablet.

Like other contraceptives some undesirable effects may have seen with this tablet, these include venous and arterial thromboembolic disorders. The following undesirable effects have been reported in users of COCs and whether this association is causal has not been confirmed: Nausea, abdominal pain, Vomiting, diarrhoea, Weight increased, Fluid retention, Headache, Migraine, Depressed mood, mood altered, Breast pain, breast tenderness, Libido decreased, Breast hypertrophy, Rash, urticaria. In women with hereditary angioedema exogenous estrogens may induce or exacerbate symptoms of angioedema.

The Pill and Breastfeeding: This tablet is generally not recommended for use during breast feeding. If you wish to take the Pill while breastfeeding, please seek the advice of your doctor.

The Pill and Pregnancy: This tablet must not be used by women who are pregnant or who think they may be pregnant.

The clinical and epidemiological evidence for estrogen/progestogen combinations like this tablet is predominantly based on experience with COCs in general. Therefore, the following warnings related to the use of COCs apply also to the use of this tablet. Also, increased risk of arterial, venous thrombotic and thromboembolic diseases such as myocardial infarction, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and of cerebrovascular accidents. These events occur rarely.

• Cervical cancer
• Hypertriglyceridemia
• Blood pressure
• Jaundice
• Erythematosus
• Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
• Sydenham's chorea
• Herpes gestationis
• Otosclerosis-related hearing loss.
• Hereditary angioedema
• Acute or chronic disturbances of liver or kidney
• Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Chloasma

The Pill and other Medicines: Some medicines may stop the Pill from working properly. These include medicines used for the treatment of epilepsy (e.g. primidone, phenyton, barbiturates) and tuberculosis (e.g. rifampicin); and antibiotics (e.g. ampilicllin, tetracyclines, griseofulvin); for some other infectious diseases. Always tell the doctor, who prescribes the Pill, which medicines you are already using. Also tell other doctor/dentist who prescribes another medicine (or the dispensing pharmacist) that you use this tablet. They can tell you if you need to take additional contraceptive precautions and if so, for how long.

The Pill and Ability to Drive: There are no observed effects.

Oral Contraceptive preparations

Store below 30°C. Store all drugs properly and keep them out of reach of children.