Ovranette

Ovranette is a contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. Ovranette is a ‘combined’ oral contraceptive pill, which contains synthetic versions of the two sex hormones produced naturally by the female body (oestrogen and progestogen).

Ovranette is a low-dose contraceptive pill, which will suit women who experience side effects relating to the high oestrogen content of other pills.

If taken correctly, Ovranette prevents pregnancy in over 99% cases per year.

Ovranette is taken every day for 21 days in a row, at around the same time every day. After these 21 days, there is a 7-day ‘break’ when you take no pills. During this time, your body will produce a ‘withdrawal’ bleed that looks and acts a lot like your natural monthly period.

Ovranette is a prescription medication taken by sexually active women as a form of contraception to prevent pregnancy.

You should not take Ovranette if:

• You are or suspect yourself to be pregnant
• You are allergic to any of the listed ingredients
• You have had a blood clot (thrombosis in the leg, or embolus of the lung)
• You have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• You have (or have had) breast or ovarian cancer
• You have high blood pressure
• You have heart problems (like an irregular heartbeat)
• You have migraines which disturb your vision or with other associated symptoms
• You have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease
• You have not yet started to have monthly periods (i.e. children), or no longer have monthly periods due to the menopause

If you are less than 12 hours late from when you usually take your Ovranette pill, take the pill as soon as you remember and continue as usual. You will still be protected from pregnancy.

If you are more than 12 hours late, you may be at risk of pregnancy, and will need to use an additional barrier method (like condoms) if you have sex over the next 7 days. Follow these instructions:

During days 1-14: take your last missed pill as soon as you remember, even if this means taking two pills on the same day. Finish your strip and take your 7-day break as usual before starting a new packet. If you missed your pill during the first 7 days of your strip, and had sex during that week, you could be pregnant. Contact your doctor as soon as possible to discuss emergency contraception.

During days 15-21: take your missed pill as soon as you remember, and finish your strip as usual without taking your 7-day break. Start your new packet immediately, and wait until you finish the new packet before taking a 7-day break. If you do not get a withdrawal bleed in this break period, you could be pregnant.

If you have missed more than one pill, regularly forget to take your pills, or do not experience a withdrawal bleed during your 7-day break, you could be at risk of pregnancy and should consult your nurse or doctor.

Always follow the directions for dosage that your prescribing nurse, pharmacist or doctor has given you. Otherwise, the typical dosage for Ovranette is as follows:

Each Ovranette packet contains 21 pills, each marked on the packet by the days of the week. Take one Ovranette pill every day for 21 days in a row, matching the days of the week marked on the packet. For example, if you start your packet on a Monday, press your first pill through ‘MON’. Try to remember to take your pill at around the same time every day, like just before you go to bed.

After these 21 days, you have a 7-day ‘break’ period. During this time you take no pills, and should experience a ‘withdrawal’ bleed that acts like your usual monthly period, but is usually lighter and less unpleasant. After this 7-day ‘break’, start a new pill packet, and repeat the process.

If you have not taken any form of hormonal contraception in the month before starting Ovranette: take your first pill on the first day of your next period to have complete protection from pregnancy. If you start on any other day of your period, you should use an additional contraceptive method (like condoms) until after you have taken your first 7 pills.

If you are changing to Ovranette from another form of hormonal contraception:

• From a combined pill: start taking Ovranette on the next day after your last active combined pill, or no later than the day following your usual tablet free interval
• From progesterone only (mini-pill) pill: you can stop any day and start Ovranette the next day
• For both of these switches it is advised that you use barrier contraception for the first 7 days of taking ovranette.

Like with all medicines, there is a possibility of side effects when taking Ovranette.

Uncommon side effects (affecting between 1 in 1,000 users):

• Upset stomach or diarrhoea
• Skin rash
• Changes in appetite
• Changes to usual menstrual flow
• Chloasma (brown patches on the skin)
• Urticaria (hives)
• Raised blood pressure

See a doctor immediately if you experience:

• Signs of an allergic reaction (breathing problems, swelling of lips, face, throat or tongue)
• Signs of a blood clot (sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a painful swelling in your leg)
• Signs of a stroke or heart attack (sudden chest pain which can extend down the left arm, blurred vision, difficulty talking, sudden numbness or weakness down one side of the body, fainting or seizures)