Jencycla is mini-pills containing progestin only for preventing an unwanted pregnancy. This drug is prescribed for women aged 18-45.
Contents:
Indications for use
Mechanism of action
The contraceptive effect of Jencycla is based on the process of changing the quality of mucus covering the cervix. Mucus becomes thicker and it becomes difficult for sperm to enter the uterine cavity.
Jencycla ensures the ovulation suppression.
Mode of application and dosage
- Choose a convenient time of day to take your first Jencycla tablet.
- Continue to take the pills at the same time daily until the package is over.
- Start the next package immediately the next day.
- You can start taking progestin-containing tablets at any time of the menstrual cycle. If you start on the first day, the drug will immediately provide protection from an unwanted pregnancy, additional contraception will not be needed.
- If you start taking pills on the fifth or more day of the menstrual cycle, protection will come immediately, if only your cycle was longer than 23 days. If not, you will need additional contraception, for example, condoms during the first 2 days.
- If you start taking pills on any other day of the cycle, protection from pregnancy does not come immediately, so you will need additional contraception.
Contraindications
Most women can use progestin-containing tablets. But there are contraindications if you:
- cardiac disorders;
- hepatic disease;
- breast cancer;
- ovarian cystic lesion;
- unexplained vaginal bleeding.
If you are healthy and there are no medical reasons why you should not take progestin-containing tablets, you can take the drug to menopause or to the age of 55.
Side effects
- Acne;
- Sensitivity and swelling of the mammary glands;
- Increase or suppression of sexual desire;
- Mood swings;
- Headache and migraine;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Ovarian cyst (usually innocuous formations that pass without treatment);
- Stomach upset;
- Weight gain.
All these side effects can occur during the first months of Jencycla but often disappear with time.
Interactions
There are drugs that can influence the effectiveness of tablets. Your doctor should be informed about it to take it into account.
Antibiotics
Rifampicin and rifabutin (used to treat meningitis and tuberculosis) can reduce the effectiveness of progestin-containing drugs. Other antibiotics do not affect the drug.
If rifampicin or rifabutin are prescribed, you will need additional contraception at the time of taking the antibiotic and for the next 28 days after withdrawal of antibiotics.
Epilepsy, Cures for HIV and St. John’s Wort
Mini-pills can interact with enzyme-inducing drugs. These drugs accelerate the breakdown of progestin in the liver, reducing the tablet’s effectiveness.
Examples of such drugs are:
- drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy: carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone and topiramate;
- St. John’s wort (herbal remedy);
- antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV infection (studies show that the interaction between these drugs and tablets only on progestin can affect the safety and effectiveness of both).
Your doctor may prescribe alternative or additional forms of contraception when taking any of these drugs.
What if I miss a dose?
- If you are late to take the pill at the usual time. If you are more than 3 hours late, take the pill, but use an additional contraceptive for the next 48 hours.
- If you missed taking one tablet. Once you have found that you forgot to take the pill, immediately take 1 tablet (yesterday’s missed). The next tablet is taken at the usual time. That is, in one day you need to take 2 tablets.
- If you missed taking more than 2 tablets in a row. Take 2 tablets for 2 days.
Remember, that the probability to become pregnant is high, use the additional method of contraception (condom, spermicide, etc.) to avoid this problem.
Jencycla and pregnancy
There is a pitiful chance of becoming pregnant when taking pills. If it happens, there is no evidence that Jencycla affects the fetus health. If you think you are pregnant, consult a doctor immediately.
Also, seek advice if you experience unexpected abdominal pain or if your periods become shorter or easier than usual. There is a possibility that these signs may indicate the development of an ectopic pregnancy, although such cases are extremely rare.
The drug is safe when breastfeeding. A small amount of the hormone can get into the milk, but it is harmless for the baby. Tablets do not affect the amount of milk.