Lucette Combined Contraceptive Pill

The Lucette pill is a combined contraceptive pill that is taken daily to prevent pregnancy. It contains man-made versions of the female sex hormones oestrogen and progestogen, which are called ethinylestradiol and drospirenone. These hormones stop pregnancy from occurring by preventing the release of an egg from your ovaries.

The Lucette contraceptive pill may also be prescribed to treat acne because it regulates your hormones, leading to clearer skin.

What type of pill is Lucette?

Lucette is a type of birth control called a combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP). That means it contains small amounts of 2 female sex hormones to prevent pregnancy. It’s considered a cyclic pill, because it’s taken daily for 21 days before a 7-day pill break, which acts like a period. It can be taken without a break, although this is not included in the advice from the manufacturer. You should ask your doctor about this option.

Lucette is known as a standard oestrogen pill because it has less than 35 micrograms of oestrogen. This means it has a lower chance of causing oestrogen-related side effects than higher-dose oestrogen pills. It may also have a lower chance of exhibiting oestrogen-related benefits, like improvements to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or acne.

Is Lucette a combined pill?

Yes, Lucette is a combined oral contraceptive pill, sometimes called ‘the pill’ because it contains oestrogen and progesterone. Any contraceptive pill that contains 2 different hormones is called a ‘combination’ pill.

The Lucette pill works in a combination of ways to prevent pregnancy. The 2 hormones, ethinylestradiol and drospirenone, work by:

• preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg, an event called ovulation
• thickening the cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to travel through the cervix to reach an egg
• affecting the quality of the womb lining making it difficult for an egg to implant itself

These combined make it very hard for a sperm to reach an egg, so the chances of pregnancy are very low, especially when taken daily.

How long does Lucette take to work?

How quickly you’ll be protected against pregnancy will depend on when you start taking the Lucette pill:

• If you take Lucette on the first day of your period then you are immediately protected against pregnancy.
• If you start taking Lucette on days 2 to 5 of your menstrual cycle, you will also be protected straight away.
• If you start on day 6 or later you will need to use extra barrier protection, such as a condom, for 7 days.

Please note: This information differs from the advice given in the Lucette patient information leaflet. The advice given here reflects the current clinical guidelines provided by the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH), which regularly reviews the scientific data on reproductive health.

If taken as prescribed by your doctor, the Lucette combined pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Real-world data shows that around 8 in 100 people will become pregnant while using the combined pill, meaning that it is approximately 92% effective.

The reason it’s less effective across the whole population of people who use it is because not everyone takes it perfectly. Missing pills will reduce the effectiveness of Lucette birth control.

As well as preventing pregnancy, there are several other Lucette pill benefits:

• Lucette can reduce the severity of painful periods. Research shows that combined pills containing drospirenone, like Lucette, may help alleviate premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
• Lucette may reduce the risk of some cancers. Combined oral contraceptive pills have been found to lower the risk of endometrial cancer by 50%, as well as reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Other studies have reported an 18% reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer.
• Lucette may help to treat acne. Although it’s not licensed for this use, the Lucette combined pill can help with acne. That’s because the hormones in the pill reduce the production of sebum, a sticky, oily substance produced by the skin to keep it moisturised. Overproduction of sebum can contribute to clogged pores and acne, so reducing it can mean clearer skin and fewer spots.

Yes, it’s possible to buy contraceptive pills like Lucette in the UK from registered online services, like ZAVA. You may also be able to get Lucette on the NHS with a prescription from your GP.

Where can I buy Lucette online?

You can request Lucette treatment online from registered online doctor services, such as ZAVA. Before you order Lucette online make sure the service you are using is regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

To request Lucette online from ZAVA, all you need to do is:

• Fill out a short online medical questionnaire to tell us a little bit about your health.
• One of our registered doctors will look at your answers and confirm if the treatment is suitable for you.
• Once approved, your treatment will be discreetly delivered to your address or you can arrange to collect it from your local post office.

There are many advantages when you request Lucette online, including:

• there’s no need for a face-to-face doctor consultation
• you can order from your own home
• the process is quick and easy
• your treatment can be delivered discreetly to your home address

Can you get Lucette without a prescription?

You cannot get Lucette without a prescription because a doctor needs to check if it’s safe for you to take. You can get Lucette online from ZAVA without a previous prescription simply by filling out a quick questionnaire, which our doctors will review. If Lucette is right for you, we’ll send it to you in discreet packaging.

Is Lucette free on the NHS?

Yes, contraception is free on the NHS. You will need to check with your GP or local sexual health clinic to find out if Lucette is available.

If you’re taking the Lucette pill the traditional way, which includes a pill-free break: Take 1 Lucette pill, at the same time each day, for 21 days in a row, and then have 7 days where you don’t take any pills. If you take Lucette like this, you are protected against pregnancy throughout, including the 7 days when you do not take a pill.

If you’re taking Lucette on a continuous regime (without a break): Take 1 Lucette pill, at the same time each day. There’s no need to take a break between packs, just start your next packet. This is known as an ‘off licence’ prescription, as the instructions are different from the manufacturer. Your doctor may recommend taking Lucette without a break if you’ve got heavy or painful periods or acne. You’re protected against pregnancy the whole time, but effectiveness can decrease with missed pills.

If you’re taking Lucette on an extended regime (fewer breaks): Take 1 Lucette pill, at the same time each day. Your doctor will usually prescribe 3 packets before having a pill-free break for 4-7 days. This means you’ll take 3 Lucette pill packets before you take a break. This is also an off-licence use that can be beneficial for women who want to have fewer bleeds. As long as you don’t take a break longer than 7 days, you’ll be protected against pregnancy throughout.

You should take Lucette as advised by your doctor or pharmacist, as it may be slightly different depending on your health needs.

Here are some helpful tips on how to take Lucette:

1. You can take Lucette with water, on an empty stomach or after having some food.
2. Start on the correct day of the week. For example, if you start on a Wednesday this is indicated by ‘WE’ on the blister strip. Follow the direction of the arrows to take the next pill. This can help you remember to take it each day and keep track.
3. If you take a pill-free break, you can expect a period-like bleed known as a ‘withdrawal bleed’.
4. After you have had your pill-free break (if you have one), start the next strip of Lucette pills even if you are still bleeding. If you’re taking Lucette the traditional way, this means that you’ll start every strip on the same day of the week and your withdrawal bleed will be on the same day each month.

What to expect when taking Lucette for the first time

You may not experience any changes when starting Lucette, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t working. As long as you take Lucette as advised by your doctor you will be protected from unwanted pregnancies.

You may notice some side effects, like nausea, migraines or breast tenderness when you start your pill, but these are usually mild and go away on their own.

You may also notice improvements to PMS or acne once you start your treatment, although it can take some time (up to 6 months) for these benefits to appear.

When to start taking Lucette pills

If you are taking the Lucette pill for the first time, you should start with the first pill on the first day of your period. The first day of your period is also the first day of your menstrual cycle, so taking your first Lucette combined pill on this day means you will be immediately protected against pregnancy.

If you miss the first day of your period, you can take Lucette on days 2 to 5 of your period and receive immediate protection. If you start after day 5 of your period, you’ll need to use another form of barrier protection, such as condoms, for 7 days.

What should I do if I miss a Lucette pill?

If you’ve missed a pill and remember to take it within 24 hours of taking your last pill, you are still protected against pregnancy. Take your next Lucette pill again at the usual time.

If you are more than 24 hours late in taking a pill, you may be less protected against pregnancy. The more Lucette pills you miss, the higher your chances are of getting pregnant. You should follow the advice below if it’s been more than 24 hours since you missed your Lucette pill:

• If you have only missed 1 pill, take this pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 pills on the same day, and carry on your pack as usual. You will still be protected and won’t need extra contraception.
• If you have missed 2 or more pills, take the last pill that you missed straight away and carry on the rest of the pack. Use condoms for the next 7 days.
• If you’ve missed 2 or more of the first 7 pills in the blister strip, you might need emergency contraception if you had sex without a condom during your pill-free week or in the week before you missed the pills. Contact a doctor if you’re not sure, as most morning after pills only work up to 5 days after you had unprotected sex.
• If you are in week 2 (the 7 pills in the middle of the strip), take the last pill you missed and finish the strip as usual.
• If you are in week 3 (the last 7 pills in the strip), you should take the missed pill, finish the strip and instead of the pill-free week, start the next strip. At the end of the next strip, you can have a 7-day break as long as you’ve not missed any more pills.
• If you missed more than 7 pills anywhere in the pack, you will need to use emergency contraception if you have had sex without a condom. You should start a new strip of pills and use condoms for 7 days.

Can you take Lucette back-to-back (without a break) or take Lucette continuously?

Yes, you can take the Lucette pill continuously without a break. You may decide to do this if you want to reduce the number of withdrawal bleeds you have or if you experience heavy or painful periods. You should talk to your doctor about taking Lucette without a break.

Even though manufacturers advise taking 7-day breaks between 21-day cycles of the pill, this isn’t necessary. Research has shown it’s just as safe and effective to take combined pills like Lucette without a break.

If you take Lucette continuously, you may still have a bleed while taking the pills and you'll need to make sure you get more pills before you finish your last pack.

If you get persistent breakthrough bleeding take a 4-7 day break, as long as there have been at least 21 days of Lucette pills taken before the break. Then restart the pill and remain on it for at least 21 days to maintain its effectiveness against pregnancy. If you experience spotting or bleeding more than once every 4 weeks while taking Lucette, you should speak to your doctor for advice. Stopping and starting the Lucette pill will reduce its efficacy.

Can I take Lucette when breastfeeding?

Lucette can be taken when breastfeeding, depending on when you gave birth. If it’s been more than 6 weeks since you gave birth, you can start Lucette safely as long as you have no other risk factors. Although studies are limited, these do not show any negative effects of Lucette on how you produce breast milk or negative effects on the baby.

Like all medicines, Lucette can cause side effects. However, that does not mean you definitely will experience them or that you will get all of the Lucette pill side effects listed.

Common Lucette side effects include:

• bleeding between periods
• breast pain or tenderness
• migraine
• nausea (feeling sick)
• thick or white discharge, including vaginal yeast infections such as thrush

Uncommon Lucette side effects include:

• breast enlargement
• changes in libido (sex drive)
• changes in blood pressure
• vomiting (being sick)
• diarrhoea
• skin problems, such as a rash or itchy skin
• fluid retention
• changes in body weight

Rare Lucette side effects include:

• breast secretion
• hearing difficulties
• skin problems, such as erythema nodosum or erythema multiforme
• blood clots

If you experience an allergic reaction, stop taking the Lucette pill straight away and seek medical advice. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

• feeling short of breath
• rash
• swollen face, lips, or tongue

For more information, see our page on contraceptive pill side effects.

Am I at risk of developing a blood clot if I take Lucette?

You may be at a slightly increased risk of developing blood clots when you take Lucette, but the risk is only marginally higher than normal.

In general, if a person doesn’t take a combined oral contraceptive pill like Lucette, their risk of getting a blood clot in a year is about 2 in 10,000. With combined pills, 9 to 12 women out of 10,000 may get a blood clot. Your doctor will monitor your health while you take the pill and you should have an annual pill-check up.

There are many reasons why you might decide to stop taking the pill. Whatever your reasons, it is important to understand what happens when coming off Lucette pill. When you stop taking Lucette, you will no longer be protected against pregnancy.

If you’re coming off of Lucette to become pregnant, you should stop taking the pill and wait until after a few menstrual cycles before trying for a baby. This will help you conceive and also help you to calculate the expected delivery date more easily.

After stopping the Lucette combined pill, most people experience their first menstrual period within a few weeks. Some women may notice irregular periods or changes to their bleeding after they stop taking the pill. It can take up to 6 months for things to get back to how they were before, but speak to your doctor if you’re concerned about your periods after coming off Lucette.

If you were experiencing side effects while taking Lucette, these should go away quickly after you stop. However, any benefits you may have noticed, such as clearer skin, lighter periods, or improved PMS symptoms may also disappear.

The Lucette combined pill contains 30mcg of ethinylestradiol and 3mg of drospirenone.

• Ethinylestradiol is a man-made version of the female sex hormone oestrogen. It’s the most commonly used oestrogen in the combined pill. The presence of ethinylestradiol in the Lucette pill stops your body from producing 2 hormones involved in the menstrual cycle. This effectively stops ovulation from happening.
• Drospirenone is an artificial version of the hormone progesterone, also referred to as progestin. Progesterone works by thickening the mucus in the cervix, making it difficult for sperm to travel to the womb and fertilise an egg. It can also work to stop ovulation.

Is Lucette progesterone-only?

No, Lucette is not a progesterone-only or mini-pill, it’s a combined pill. Progesterone-only pills do not contain any oestrogen, just a type of progesterone.

The mini-pill is suitable for anyone who would prefer not to or cannot take a contraceptive method that contains oestrogen. The mini pill may also be more suitable for you if you:

• smoke
• have high blood pressure
• are over 35

You can take the Lucette pill if you’re at risk of unwanted pregnancy and there are no medical reasons why you shouldn’t take the combined pill.

You can use Lucette if you have started your monthly periods and want to have sex without getting pregnant. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients or have certain medical conditions, then Lucette may not be suitable for you.

Who should not take the Lucette contraceptive pill?

The Lucette pill is not suitable for everyone. You may not be able to use Lucette if you:

• are over 35 and smoke
• have high blood pressure
• are allergic to any of the ingredients
• have a high BMI
• are allergic to peanuts or soya
• have not started your monthly periods
• are already pregnant

Lucette contraindications

Lucette cannot be prescribed if you’ve got certain health conditions. Lucette may be unsuitable if you:

• have or have ever had a blood clot such as DVT in your legs, lungs, or other organs
• have a blood clotting disorder
• need an operation or will be immobile for a while, due to the increased risk of blood clots
• have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have or have ever had angina or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• have high blood pressure
• have high levels of fat in your blood or hyperhomocysteinemia
• have severe diabetes with blood vessel damage
• experience migraine with aura
• are allergic to ethinylestradiol, drospirenone or any other ingredients in the pills
• experience unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have hepatitis C
• had or have liver disease or a tumour in the liver

Lucette interactions

Some medications can interact with Lucette. You should not take Lucette if you are taking any medicines that contain:

• ombitasvir, paritaprevir or ritonavir
• dasabuvir
• glecaprevir or pibrentasvir
• sofosbuvir, velpatasvir or voxilaprevir

These medications are used to treat hepatitis C and can increase liver function blood test results. Once you have completed your course of treatment, Lucette can usually be restarted 2 weeks later.

Some other medications can also influence blood levels of Lucette and may make it less effective at preventing pregnancy or cause unexpected bleeding. You should tell your doctor if you are taking medicines to treat:

• epilepsy (barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, topiramate)
• tuberculosis (rifampicin)
• HIV and hepatitis C
• high blood pressure in the blood vessels of your lungs (bosentan)
• fungal infection (griseofulvin, ketoconazole)
• the symptoms of arthrosis (etoricoxib)

You should also let your doctor know if you are taking any herbal remedies, particularly those containing St. John’s wort.

There are several alternative types of contraceptive methods available if you do not want to use or cannot take Lucette. You could try other combined pills that contain different types of synthetic oestrogen and progesterone.

Lucette vs Yasmin: Is Lucette the same as Yasmin?

Lucette pill is almost exactly the same as Yasmin because they both:

• contain the same active ingredients, ethinylestradiol and drospirenone, in the same dosages
• work in the same way
• have the same effectiveness.

The main difference between Yasmin and Lucette, other than their brand names, is Lucette contains soy lecithin. If you have a peanut or soya allergy, you will not be able to take Lucette, making Yasmin a great alternative.

Other combined pills

There are several other types of combined pills available to prevent pregnancy. Some are similar to Lucette because they contain the same active ingredients. Others, such as Microgynon 30, contain a different version of progesterone called levonorgestrel. Another alternative is Gedarel 30/150 which contains desogestrel instead.