Zenchent is a drug with a combination of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. These components are intended for an ovulation suppression.
Contents:
Indications for use
- Prevention of pregnancy;
- Hypermenorrhea;
- Endometriosis;
- Hypogonadism in women.
Mechanism of action
Zenchent is a low dose monophasic oral combined estrogen-progestin birth control drug.
The contraceptive effect of Zenchent is carried out by means of ovulation suppression and an increase in the viscosity of the cervical secretion, resulting in difficulting with the spermatozoa penetration.
In the case of the correct use of the drug, the Perl index is less than 1. If the patient misses the intake or improperly uses the drug, the Pearl index may increase.
The antiandrogenic effect of a combination of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone is based on a decrease in the concentration of androgens in the blood plasma.
Mode of application and dosage
Zenchent package contains 28 tablets, they are taken daily without any interruptions (7 tablets – placebo). If menstruation is delayed, pregnancy should be excluded. If on the background of a regular intake, the menstruation does not occur, after excluding pregnancy the reception should be continued. If there are no two consecutive menstruations, pregnancy should be excluded before continuing the drug application.
Contraindications
- Venous thrombosis inclusively of in the anamnesis;
- Arterial thrombosis, inclusively of in the anamnesis or precursors of thrombosis (including angina pectoris or transient ischemia);
- Presence of serious or multiple risk factors for arterial thrombosis: severe arterial hypertension (more than 160/100), diabetes mellitus with vascular lesions;
- Hereditary dyslipoproteinemia;
- Hereditary predisposition to venous or arterial thrombosis;
- Migraine with aura;
- Diagnosed or suspected breast cancer;
- Endometrial cancer and confirmed or suspected estrogen-dependent tumors;
- Hepatic adenoma and carcinoma;
- Genital bleeding;
- Postmenopausal period;
- Age under 18 years;
- Postpartum period (4 weeks);
- Lactation period;
- Hypersensitivity to Zenchent components.
Side effects
- Central nervous and peripheral nervous system: dizziness, migraine, paresthesia, hypesthesia, convulsions, tremor, emotional lability, depression, anxiety, insomnia, drowsiness.
- Cardiovascular system: increased blood pressure, palpitation, edematous syndrome, varicose veins.
- Digestive system: gingivitis, anorexia or increased appetite, gastritis, gastroenteritis, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, hemorrhoids.
- Respiratory system: infections of the upper respiratory tract, shortness of breath, bronchial asthma.
- Reproductive system: dyspareunia, vaginitis, dysmenorrhea, decreased libido, breast enlargement, menstrual disorders (including intermenstrual bleeding, hypermenorrhea), changes in vaginal secretion, changes in cervical mucus, lactation not in connection with childbirth, abnormal ovarian function, mastitis, mammary fibroadenomas, ovarian cysts.
- Genitourinary tract: urinary tract infections.
- Musculoskeletal system: muscle cramps, myalgia, arthralgia, ostealgia (including back pain, pain in the lower extremities), tendinosis (tendon changes), muscle weakness.
- Dermatological reactions: skin itching, urticaria, skin rash, contact dermatitis, bullous rash, acne, skin discoloration, eczema, increased sweating, alopecia, photosensitivity, dry skin.
- Organ of vision: conjunctivitis, visual impairment.
- Metabolism system: weight gain, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia.
- Other: flu-like syndrome, fatigue, allergic reactions, chest pain, asthenic syndrome, syncope, anemia, abscesses, lymphadenopathy.
- Rarely (with a frequency of more than 0.01% to less than 0.1%): hypertonia or hypotonia of the muscles, impaired coordination of movements, dysphonia, hemiplegia, neuralgia, stupefaction, increased libido, depersonalization, apathy, paranoia, benign breast tumors, cervical cancer in situ, perineal pain, the genitals ulceration, atrophy of the mammary glands, decrease in blood pressure, enanthema, dry mouth or increased salivation, colitis, pain during urination, hyperprolactinaemia, melanosis, skin pigmentation disorders, chloasma, xerophthalmia, weight loss or obesity, inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, intolerance of alcohol, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, impaired liver function, purpura, flushing to the face, thrombosis (including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary arterial thrombosis), superficial vein thrombophlebitis, vein pain, pulmonary embolism.
Interactions
The interaction of Zenchent with drugs that induce microsomal hepatic enzymes, as a result of which the clearance of sex hormones can be magnified, which in turn can lead to “breakthrough” uterine bleeding and/or a decrease in the contraceptive effect.
Women who obtain treatment with such drugs in addition to Zenchent are recommended for the use of a barrier method of contraception or choose a different non-hormonal method of contraception. The barrier method of contraception should be used during the entire period of taking concomitant medications, and also within 28 days after their discontinuation. If the treatment with the induction drugs of microsomal liver enzymes continues after the end of the tablets in the packaging, women should start taking the tablets from the new packaging.
The drugs that increase the clearance of this birth control drug (weakening the effectiveness by induction of enzymes) are phenytoin, barbiturates, bosentan, primidone, carbamazepine, rifampicin and HIV treatment agents (ritonavir, nevirapine and efavirenz) and possibly also oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate, griseofulvin, as well as preparations containing St. John’s Wort.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose containing hormones you should control the period of possible missing time. If the missing time is less than 12 hours you should take the pill immediately after the understanding. There is no risk of becoming pregnant. If the missing time is more than 12 hours the pill should be taken immediately. Moreover, you should apply the additional contraceptive methods to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
If the period of missing pills is greater or several pills are skipped you are welcome to get to know more about this aspect on the blister or call your doctor.
Zenchent and pregnancy
This birth control drug is contraindicated during pregnancy. The drug intake can affect the amount of breast milk and change its composition, so the use of this drug is contraindicated until the termination of breastfeeding. A small number of sex hormones and/or their metabolites can penetrate into breast milk and affect the health of the child.