Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestimate is an oral contraceptive used to prevent unwanted pregnancy. This birth control pill contains two types of female hormones, ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate, that prevent ovulation.
Contents:
Indications for use
- Long-term hormonal contraception
Mechanism of action
- Reduction of serum concentrations of LH and FSH;
- direct inhibition of pituitary secretion of FSH by estrogens);
- LH rise in the middle of the period;
- a decrease in the synthesis of endogenous estrogens and progesterone: suppression of ovulation;
- impairment of the progress of spermatozoa over the fallopian tube,
- the formation of tight viscous mucous glands of the cervix, making it difficult for sperm to pass through the female genital tract, restructuring of the
- endometrium, which complicates the implantation of the fetal egg.
Dosage and mode of application
The blister contains 28 pills (21 active pills with hormones and 7 inert pills with no medication that serve as reminders).
The the first pill on the first day of the menstrual period. Continue taking the pills until the pack is empty. The interruption in use is not required. As a rule, a few days after the end of taking the active tablets, menstrual bleeding occurs.
Begin using a new pack of Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestimate tablets once you finish the previous pack. A tablet of the new cycle should be taken regardless of whether the menstrual bleeding has stopped or still continues.
There are days of the week marked on the blister (for example Sun, Wed, etc.) for you to check the regularity of taking tablets.
It is recommended to take pills at the same time of the day, for example, in the morning or in the evening. Contraceptive pills are more effective when they are used at the same time of the day.
Overdose
Cases of acute poisoning when using Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestimate pills were not observed. No serious side effects are expected if significant doses of the drug accidentally get inside (for example, if swallowed by the baby).
Contraindications
Do not take Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestimate for birth control, if you have any of the following conditions:
- thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders.
- thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders in the anamnesis;
- antithrombin III deficiency;
- cerebrovascular diseases or coronary sclerosis (infarction myocardium);
- sickle-cell anemia;
- swelling of the breast gland;
- carcinoma of the uterus or other estrogen-dependent neoplasms;
- genital bleeding of an unexplained etiology;
- pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- adenoma or carcinoma of the liver;
- significant violations of the liver;
- jaundice or itching during pregnancy in anamnesis;
- herpes infection;
- hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug.
Side Effects
Like other oral contraceptives, Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestimate pills can sometimes cause such adverse reactions as:
- Bowel-gastric tract: nausea, vomiting;
- CNS: a migraine, headache, depression;
- Thoracic glands: soreness, increased secretion;
- Skin: skin peeling, allergic reactions, hair loss;
- Eye: discomfort when using contact lenses;
- Liver: itching, cholestatic jaundice;
- Urogenital tract: menorrhagia (heavy bleeding), spotting (mild bleeding), amenorrhea, vulvovaginal candidiasis; erosion of the cervix, secretion of the cervix. In case of significant bleeding, the use of the drug is not contraindicated but an adequate examination is necessary to exclude cases of organic lesions. This examination is also necessary in case of minor bleeding that occurs at irregular intervals during several cycles of administration, or for the first time after prolonged use. If menstrual bleeding does not occur, before starting a new pack, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of pregnancy.
- Others: a change in body weight (increase or decrease), a change in libido. In rare cases, under the influence of oral contraceptives, there was an increase in blood pressure, gallbladder disease, adenoma of the liver, decreased glucose tolerance, and increased bladder leiomyoma.
Interactions
A reduced contraceptive effect may be observed in women who take rifampicin, barbiturates, anti-epileptic drugs (hydantoin, carbamazepine), ampicillin, tetracycline, griseofulvin, and phenylbutazone.
What if I miss a dose?
If you forgot to take a pill, take it as soon as you remember. If the active tablet was not taken within 12 hours or if more than one active tablet was missed, resume taking Ethinyl Estradiol / Norgestimate pills as soon as possible by skipping the tablets that were not used. You should additional contraceptive methods, such as creams or condoms in this disordered period. If you forgot to take inert pills (with no hormones), just throw it away.
Special instructions
Smoking cigarettes while using Estradiol and Norgestimate pills raises the chance of dangerous cardiovascular side effects, including thromboembolism, myocardial infarction and stroke. Statistically, the risk increases with age, especially in heavy smokers (more than 15-20 cigarettes per day). Therefore, women over 35 years of age are advised to quit smoking. Sometimes the increased risk persists for several years after the cancellation of oral contraception.
After childbirth or abortion, Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestimate contraceptive tablets should be started from the 1st day after the establishment of the first spontaneous menstruation. If necessary, the use of tablets can begin earlier (7 days after childbirth or immediately after abortion). In these cases, the patient should be advised to additionally use local contraception during the first 2 weeks of using the hormonal preparation.
If you have vomiting or diarrhea, the effectiveness of the tablets may decrease through their partial absorption, because the hour required for their assimilation will make 4 hours. In this case, it is recommended to continue taking birth control pills without interruption and use contraceptives of local action until menstruation is established.
Oral contraceptives can affect the quantity and quality of breast milk. A small amount of hormones can penetrate into the milk. It is unlikely that low-dose ovulation inhibitors, such as Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestimate, can affect the feeding of the baby. However, mothers who breastfeed should not use oral contraceptives. They are recommended to use additional local contraception.
The use of oral hormonal contraceptives in the early stages of pregnancy can cause defects in infants.
Patients with the following disorders need the necessary monitoring: heart and liver dysfunction, hypertension, fluid retention, diabetes, decreased glucose tolerance, bronchial asthma, gallbladder disease, noticeable varicose veins, fibromyoma of the bladder, depression, epilepsy.
Discontinue using Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestimate contraception if you have:
- a migraine or serious unusual headache attacks;
- acute visual or hearing impairment;
- the first signs of thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic complications;
- pregnancy;
- epileptic seizures or increased convulsion;
- jaundice or persistent itching of the body;
- a marked increase in blood pressure;
- a marked increase in fibroids;
- increased liver size with suspected liver tumor;
- long-term immobility ( for example after trauma) in preparation for surgical operations (not less than 6 weeks), etc.