Lutera is a combination hormone contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy. The pill consists of two hormones: estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (levonorgestrel).
Contents:
Indications for use
- Oral contraception;
- Functional bleeding disorders, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome.
Mechanism of action
Lutera blocks the release of the follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone of the pituitary gland, interrupting the process of ovulation and imitating the physiological hormonal cycle. The drug excludes all the undesirable effects associated with the hyperfunction of estrogens and progestins: menstrual disorders, hyperplastic endometrial processes, fibrocystic changes in the mammary glands, ovulatory syndrome and premenstrual tension syndrome.
The tablets have a contraceptive estrogen-gestogenic action. When used regularly, the drug normalizes the menstrual cycle and helps prevent a number of gynecological diseases, including those of a tumorous nature.
Mode of application and dosage
Each pack contains 21 active tablets with hormones (levonorgestrel 0.1mg, ethinylestradiol 0.02mg) and 7 pills with no medication. Take 1 active pill every day for 21 days in a row. Ater that, take an inactive pill every day for 7 days. After you have taken the last inactive tablet, start taking pills from a new pack without interruption. If you do not have a period, consult a doctor.
According to this scheme, Lutera is used as soon as you want to prevent pregnancy. When switching to this preparation from another oral contraceptive, a similar scheme is used.
After an abortion, it is recommended to start taking the medication on the same day or the day after the operation.
After giving a birth, you should start taking the drug no earlier than the first day of menstruation after the first two-phase period.
As a rule, the first two-phase cycle is shortened due to premature ovulation. If you start taking the pills with first spontaneous bleeding, the prevention of premature ovulation may not occur, therefore this hormonal contraception may be unreliable in the first two weeks of the period.
Cases of undesirable effects due to an overdose of Lutera is not known.
Contraindications
Do not use Lutera if you have any of the following conditions:
- hypersensitivity to levonorgestrel or ethinylestradiol;
- liver failure;
- congenital hyperbilirubinemia;
- liver tumors (hemangioma, liver cancer);
- malignant tumors (breast cancer or endometrium);
- severe cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, thromboembolism and predisposition to them (ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, widespread
- atherosclerosis, myocarditis, decompensated chronic heart failure, heart defects, severe forms of hypertension);
- diabetes mellitus of severe course (accompanied by retinopathy and microangiopathy);
- sickle cell anemia;
- chronic hemolytic anemia;
- vaginal bleeding of unknown etiology;
- migraine;
- otosclerosis;
- bladder skidding;
- otosclerosis with deterioration of hearing;
- idiopathic jaundice or pruritus during the previous pregnancy;
- congenital hyperlipidemia;
- age over 40.
With caution: liver and gallbladder disease, epilepsy, depression, ulcerative colitis, uterine fibroids, mastopathy, tuberculosis, kidney disease, adolescence (without regular ovulatory periods).
Side Effects
The use of Lutera tablets is associated with an increased risk of the following adverse reactions:
- thrombophlebitis;
- arterial thromboembolism;
- pulmonary embolism;
- myocardial infarction;
- hemorrhage in the brain;
- thrombosis of the brain;
- hypertension;
- diseases of the gallbladder;
- hepatic adenomas, carcinomas or benign liver tumors
Interactions
Lutera my interact with the following medications:
- ampicillin, rifampicin, chloramphenicol, neomycin, penicillin B, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, dihydroergotamine, tranquilizers, phenylbutazone (these drugs can reduce the contraceptive effect, so it is recommended to use another, non-hormonal method of contraception);
- anticoagulants, coumarin or indanedione derivatives (there may be a need for determining prothrombin time and, if necessary, changing the dose of
- anticoagulant);
- tricyclic antidepressants, maprotiline, beta-blockers (their bioavailability may increase);
- oral antidiabetic drugs, insulin (it may be necessary to change their dose);
- bromocriptine (decreased efficacy);
- hepatotoxic drugs, especially those with dantrolene (risk of increased hepatotoxicity, especially in women over 35 years of age).
What if I miss a pill of Lutera?
If you for any reason did not take the pill at a certain time, you should take it within 12 consecutive hours. The inhibition of ovulation cannot be considered stable if the break between the two tablets takes more than 36 hours. However, in order to prevent premature bleeding, you should continue using Lutera, with the exception of the missed tablets from the already started package. In this case, it is recommended to use additional non-hormonal contraceptives (except for a “calendar” method).
This does not apply to 7 inactive tablets that do not contain hormones.
Lutera and smoking
Smoking women taking this hormonal contraceptive have an increased risk of developing vascular diseases with serious consequences (myocardial infarction, stroke). The risk increases with age and depending on the number of cigarettes smoked (especially in women older than 35 years).
Lutera and pregnancy
At least three months before the planned pregnancy, the drug should be discontinued. This contraceptive is contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding.