Emoquette is a combination hormone contraceptive which is used to prevent pregnancy. The drug contains 2 hormones: desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol.
Contents:
Indications for use
The main indication for the use of Emoquette oral contraceptive is to prevent unwanted pregnancy. But there are a number of other factors in which the drug is recommended for use:
- for the treatment of a confirmed endometriosis;
- as a regulator of menstrual bleeding in the event that they occur too often or too rarely;
- for the treatment of ovarian cysts;
- for prophylaxis of development of fibro-cystic diseases, oncological and inflammatory diseases in the pelvic organs;
- for prophylaxis of ectopic pregnancy;
- as one of the methods of contraception after childbirth or abortion.
It is recommended to start the medicine only after consulting a gynecologist. Do not engage in self-treatment.
Mechanism of action
The effect of Emoquette is related to the mechanism of action: the active ingredients, ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel, block the release of factors of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones of the hypothalamus, oppression of the pituitary gland by gonadotropic hormones. This leads to inhibition of maturation and release of the ovum (ovulation). Ethinyl estradiol retains a high viscosity of the cervical mucus, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterine membrane. In addition to the contraceptive effect, the drug can normalize the menstrual period by replenishing the level of endogenous hormones with constituents.
In addition, Emoquette tablets have the following positive effects on the female body:
- interfere with the development of cancer cells in the reproductive system;
- reduce the possibility of progression of various inflammatory processes in the organs of the small pelvis;
- act as a preventive agent for neoplasms of the cystic form, as well as ectopic pregnancy;
- with a regular intake of contraceptives, the probability of fibrocystic disease is less than 10%;
- due to a large amount of iron in the composition, the drug does not allow for the development of anemia;
- menstrual bleeding will not be so abundant;
- the regularity and the nature of the discharge during the menstrual period will become normal, the pain in the lower abdomen will disappear.
Dosage and mode of application
Emoquette 28-day pack contains 21 active tablets each containing 0.15 mg desogestrel and 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol. The pack also contains 7 inactive tablets with no medication.
The drug is taken at the same time every evening. Tablets are swallowed whole, not chewed, washed down with water. Take 1 pill every day for 28 days. For your convenience, the blister indicates the days of the week. So a woman controls the use of the medicine on a daily basis and does not allow breaks. You can take birth control pills as long as contraception is needed.
If there is no menstrual bleeding during the expected time, this may indicate a pregnancy. Before the new course, you need to make sure that you are not pregnant, and only then continue taking the pills.
When switching from another contraceptive, the regimen does not change.
After an abortion, start taking the pills the same day or next day after the procedure.
After delivery, you can take the medication only if you do not breastfeed.
How to take Emoquette for the first time? If the woman is just starting treatment with this contraceptive, she should take 1 tablet on the first day of her period.
Overdose
Emoquette is a low-toxic drug, cases of overdose are unknown. But if a woman took a dose of medication that exceeds the therapeutic rate several times, unpleasant symptoms can arise including dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Girls can observe bloody discharge, similar to the menstrual bleeding.
If you have such symptoms, measures must be taken to suppress them.
This means for contraception can also affect the mood of women.
Contraindications
In the presence of diseases that are contraindications to Emoquette, the use of birth control pills must be discontinued. These include:
- angina pectoris;
- ischemia;
- benign and malignant neoplasms;
- diabetes;
- thrombosis;
- problems with the liver;
- migraine;
- breastfeeding period;
- pregnancy;
- individual intolerance to one of the components of the drug (ethinyl estradiol, desogestrel).
Side effects
In rare cases, Emoquette can cause side effects:
- Sexual system – cycle failures, breast swelling, amenorrhea;
- Gastrointestinal tract – vomiting, nausea, increased risk of pancreatitis;
- CNS – migraine, dizziness, change of mood;
- General – a violation of the liver, puffiness, skin rashes, thrombosis.
If you have one of the side effects, you should decide whether to use this contraceptive.
Interactions
There are a number of medications that depress Emoquette’s contraceptive effect. The combined reception of these drugs can cause heavy bleeding and serious violations in the work of the female reproductive system. These drugs include:
- Rifampicin;
- Isoniazid;
- Felbamate;
- Primidone;
- Carbamazepine;
- Barbiturates;
- Topiramate;
- Oxcarbamazepine;
- Griseofulvin.
Birth control pills do not have the desired effect when combined with penicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, neomycin and laxatives.
Emoquette can also lower the therapeutic effect of certain medicines:
- Antidepressants;
- Caffeine;
- Glucocorticosteroids;
- Theophylline;
- Antidiabetic drugs.
What if I miss a dose?
- If you missed an active tablet of Emoquette in the prescribed time, you should take it in the next 12 hours. If 36 hours have elapsed since the intake, contraception is not considered reliable. To avoid intermenstrual bloody discharge, it is recommended to ignore a missed tablet and continue taking pills from the already started package. To prevent pregnancy, you’d better use the barrier method of contraception;
- If you missed an inert tablet, just throw it away and continue taking the pills according to the usual schedule.
Emoquette and pregnancy
The use of Emoquette during pregnancy and during breastfeeding is contraindicated.
During the period of breastfeeding, it is necessary to decide whether to discontinue using the drug or stop breastfeeding.