Junel 1.5/30 is a combination birth control pill which is used to prevent pregnancy. The drug contains 2 hormones: ethinyl estradiol and norethisterone (also known as norethindrone).
Contents:
Indications for use
- Contraception.
Mechanism of action
A combination of ethinyl estradiol and norethisterone depresses the pituitary secretion of gonadotropic hormones. The drug blocks the progestative and estrogenic components on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian system, prevents the maturation of the follicle, i.e. blocks ovulation. The contraceptive (under the appropriate schemes of use) can both stimulate and delay menstruation and help stop the acyclic uterine bleeding.
Dosage and mode of application
Each Junel 1.5/30 pack contains 21 active tablets (ethinyl estradiol + norethisterone). The pack does not contain any inert tablets.
Take 1 tablet orally for 21 days in a row, followed by a 7-day break, during which the typical menstrual bleeding occurs. At the beginning of the treatment, after a prolonged interval or when switching from another contraceptive drug, the first tablet should be taken on the first day of the menstrual period. The tablets should be taken whenever possible at the same time (to ensure a constant concentration of hormones in the plasma).
Side effects
In some cases, Junel 1.5/30 can cause temporary side effects:
- sporadic menstrual-like bleeding,
- painful mammary tension,
- nausea,
- headache,
- swelling,
- abdominal pain.
- flatulence;
- cholelithiasis;
- change in sex drive;
- candidiasis;
- thrombosis;
- thromboembolism;
- increased blood pressure;
- dizziness;
- depression;
- convulsions;
- hirsutism;
- alopecia;
- skin rash, itching;
- chloasma;
- erythema multiforme;
- nodular erythema;
- hemorrhage;
- arthralgia;
- myalgia;
- visual impairment;
- insomnia;
- increase or decrease in weight.
Contraindications
Junel 1.5/30 is contraindicated in the following conditions:
- hypersensitivity to norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol;
- pregnancy;
- breastfeeding period;
- acute or chronic liver disease;
- liver failure;
- liver cancer;
- congenital hyperbilirubinemia (syndromes Gilbert, Dubin-Johnson and Rotor);
- hemangioma;
- disorders of cerebral circulation (ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke);
- breast cancer;
- endometrial cancer;
- hyperlipoproteinemia;
- idiopathic jaundice (including during previous pregnancy);
- herpes (in the anamnesis);
- vaginal bleeding;
- metrorrhagia of unknown origin;
- IHD;
- atherosclerosis;
- heart disease;
- myocarditis.
With caution:
- migraines;
- epilepsy;
- depression;
- strong headache;
- diabetes;
- diabetic angiopathy;
- bronchial asthma;
- CHF;
- otosclerosis;
- multiple sclerosis;
- arterial hypertension;
- hyperlipoproteinemia;
- idiopathic jaundice (inluding during the previous pregnancy);
- thromboembolic disease;
- diseases of the liver with normal functional tests (in porphyria) and the gallbladder;
- leiomyoma;
- endometriosis;
- hyperplasia of the endometrium;
- fibroadenoma of the breast;
- estrogen-dependent tumors;
- myoma of the uterus;
- mastopathy;
- ulcerative colitis;
- renal failure.
Interactions
- Barbiturates, antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine, phenytoin) increase the metabolism of steroid hormones. Antibiotics (ampicillin, rifampicin) reduce the effective concentration;
- Drugs for general anesthesia, narcotic analgesics, anxiolytics, antiepileptic drugs, some antihypertensive drugs, ethanol reduce the effectiveness of Junel 1.5/30 tablets;
- With a simultaneous use, you may need to adjust the dosage regimen for hypoglycemic drugs.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The drug is not indicated for use during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs during Junel 1.5/30 treatment, therapy should be discontinued immediately since norethisterone can affect the fetus. Doses exceeding those commonly used in preparations for oral contraception and hormone replacement therapy can cause masculinization of the female fetus.
Most epidemiological studies of the effect of estrogens and progestogens on the fetus have not revealed any teratogenic or embryotoxic effects.
Junel 1.5/30 is not indicated for use during breastfeeding.
What if I miss a pill?
The interval between Junel 1.5/30 tablets should not exceed 36 hours. If you miss a dose, take the drug within the next 12 hours. If the interval exceeds 36 hours, a reliable contraceptive effect is not guaranteed. During this period it is recommended to use other non-hormonal methods of contraception.
Precautions
The drug is indicated only for women with regular menstrual periods.
Before using birth control pills, it is necessary to conduct a thorough medical examination, including measurement of blood pressure, examination of mammary glands and abdominal cavity, gynecological examination to exclude hyperplasia of the endometrium.
At the time of taking the drug, gynecological control (cervical smear and breast examination) should be performed every 6 months. Regular monitoring of liver function, blood pressure, urinalysis, blood lipids is also necessary.
The contraceptive does not affect the ability to drive a vehicle and operate machines.
Reasons for immediate withdrawal of Junel 1.5/30:
Therapy should be discontinued in case of contraindications and also under the following conditions:
- jaundice or liver dysfunction;
- significant increase in blood pressure;
- the appearance of migraine;
- pregnancy.
Conditions under which medical supervision is required:
If any of the following conditions occur or worsen during treatment with Junel 1.5/30, the patient should be closely monitored during therapy.
- leiomyoma (fibroids of the uterus) or endometriosis;
- thromboembolic disorders in the anamnesis;
- risk factors for the development of estrogen-dependent tumors;
- arterial hypertension;
- hepatic disorders (liver adenoma);
- diabetes mellitus;
- cholelithiasis;
- migraine or severe headache;
- systemic lupus erythematosus,
- endometrial hyperplasia in the anamnesis;
- epilepsy;
- bronchial asthma;
- otosclerosis.