Pirmella 7/7/7 is a hormonal medication which is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. The drug contains 2 female hormones: ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone.
Contents:
Indications for use
- Hormonal contraception.
Mechanism of action
Pirmella 7/7/7 works by prevents the release of an egg from an ovary. Besides, it causes changes in the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach the uterus.
Dosage and mode of application
Each pack of Pirmella 7/7/7 contains 28 tablets:
- 7 white tablets containing 0.5 mg of norethindrone and 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol;
- 7 light peach tablets containing 0.75 mg of norethindrone and 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol;
- 7 peach tablets containing 1 mg of norethindrone and 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol;
- 7 green tablets containing only inert ingredients.
Start taking the drug on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after the onset of your period. If you start taking pills on Sunday, you must use a backup method of contraception for 7 days.
Take 1 pill a day, at the same time of a day, for 28 days in a row, in the order indicated on the blister. Once you have taken the last green pill, start a new pack without breaks. Follow the same dosing schedule.
You may have acyclic breakthrough bleeding, especially during the first 3 months of use. Visit your healthcare professional if this bleeding does not stop or becomes very heavy. You may need to stop taking pills.
Do not exceed the recommended dosage and do not miss pills.
Switching from other oral contraceptives:
- When switching from a 28-day drug, take the first pill of Pirmella 7/7/7 without breaks;
- When switching from a 21-day drug, take the first pill of Pirmella 7/7/7 without breaks or after a 7-day break.
Switching from a vaginal ring or a hormonal patch:
Start taking pills on the day you removed a vaginal ring or a hormonal patch.
Switching from an IUD:
Take the first pill on the day your IUD is removed. You must use a backup birth control for 7 days.
Use after an abortion:
After a first-trimester abortion, you can start taking pills immediately. You must wait for 4 weeks after a second-trimester abortion.
Use after childbirth:
Wait for 21 or 28 days and start taking birth control pills. Use an additional non-hormonal method of contraception for 7 days. If you had unprotected sex before you started hormonal contraception, you must ensure you are not pregnant prior to taking pills. If you are breastfeeding, choose another method of preventing pregnancy.
Overdose
Cases of overdosage are not known. Possible side effects caused by an overdose may include nausea, vomiting, spotting. Treatment should be symptomatic. There is no specific antidote.
Side effects
Pirmella 7/7/7 side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting;
- breast tenderness;
- breakthrough uterine bleeding;
- headache;
- feeling short of breath;
- coughing;
- discomfort when wearing contact lenses;
- sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body);
- slurred speech;
- vision or balance disorders;
- temporary blindness;
- stabbing chest pain;
- pain or warmth in one or both legs;
- excessive sweating;
- loss of appetite;
- upper stomach pain;
- jaundice;
- increased blood pressure;
- pounding in your neck or ears;
- swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
- severe migraine headaches;
- a breast lump;
- depression;
- tiredness;
- dark urine;
- clay-colored stools;
- chest pain or pressure;
- pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;
- sleep problems;
- weakness;
- mood changes;
- signs of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
If you have any severe negative reactions (especially signs of an allergic reaction) after taking birth control pills, stop taking them immediately and consult your healthcare professional.
Contraindications
Do not use Pirmella 7/7/7 if you have any of the following conditions:
- pregnancy;
- thrombophilic conditions;
- cerebral vascular or coronary artery disease, including in the anamnesis;
- valvular heart disease with complications;
- hypertension;
- diabetes with vascular disorders;
- headaches with focal neurological symptoms;
- major surgery with prolonged immobilization;
- use of hepatitis C drugs (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir);
- thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders;
- undiagnosed acyclic genital bleeding;
- cholestatic jaundice during the previous pregnancy or jaundice with prior hormone use;
- carcinoma of the breast;
- carcinoma of the endometrium or other estrogen-dependent neoplasia;
- hepatocellular disease with abnormal liver function;
- deep vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders in the anamnesis;
- hepatic adenomas or carcinomas;
- hypersensitivity to the drug components.
Warning: Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. If you are smoking and are over 35 years of age, you should not use this medication.
Interactions
Avoid using Pirmella 7/7/7 with the following medications and products: ritonavir, nevirapine, efavirenz, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, barbiturates, bosentan, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramat, nevirapine, nevirapine, efavirenz, oximidazine, preparations containing St. John’s wort, perampanel, vemrofenib, dabrafenib, modafinil or rufinamide, itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, hepatitis C drugs, verapamil, macrolides (clarithromycin, erythromycin), diltiazem, grapefruit juice, etoricoxib, lamotrigine, clozapine, mirtazapine, olanzapine, penicillins, tetracycline, cyclosporine, theophylline, zolmitriptan.
Before taking any medication, make sure your doctor knows that you are using oral contraceptives.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pirmella 7/7/7 is contraindicated for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you get pregnant when using birth control pills, stop taking them immediately and consult your healthcare professional.
Warning: The drug may affect the fetus and breast milk production.
What if I miss a pill?
If you miss one white, light peach, or peach “active” pill, take it as soon as you remember. The next pills should be taken at your usual time. A back-up birth control method is not needed.
If you miss two white or light peach “active” pills in a row in Week 1 or 2, take 2 pills on the day you remember and 2 pills the next day. Then keep taking 1 pill each day until your pack is empty. You must use a backup birth control method (such as a condom or a spermicide) for 7 days.
If you miss 2 peach “active” pills in a row in Week 3:
- If you are a Sunday Starter: Take 1 pill a day until Sunday, then discard the rest of the pills and start a new pack that same day. You must use a backup birth control method (such as a condom or a spermicide) for 7 days;
- If you are a Day 1 Starter: Discard the rest of the pills and start a new pack that same day. You must use a backup birth control method (such as a condom or a spermicide) for 7 days.
You may miss your period this month. If you miss 2 periods in a row, consult your doctor because you might be pregnant.
If you miss three or more white, light peach, or peach “active” pills in a row during Week 1, 2 or 3:
- If you are a Sunday Starter: Take 1 pill a day until Sunday, them discard the rest of the pills and start a new pack that same day. You must use a backup birth control method (such as a condom or a spermicide) for 7 days;
- If you are a Day 1 Starter: Discard the rest of the pills and start a new pack that same day. You must use a backup birth control method (such as a condom or a spermicide) for 7 days.
You may miss your period this month. If you miss 2 periods in a row, consult your doctor because you might be pregnant.
Precautions
While taking Pirmella 7/7/7, you will need to visit your healthcare professional regularly.
Use an additional non-hormonal method of preventing pregnancy if you have vomiting or diarrhea after taking an active pill.
Birth control pills will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. For this, you need to use a condom.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, direct sunlight, children and pets.