Ethinylestradiol + Gestodene

Ethinylestradiol + Gestodene is a combination of two medicines used for contraception (to prevent pregnancy) and in the treatment of irregular periods. This medicine helps to prevent release and fertilization of the egg. It may also help to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Ethinylestradiol + Gestodene can be taken with or without food, but take it at the same time to get the most benefit. It should be taken as your doctor's advice. You should have to start taking the pill on the day one of your menstrual cycle and continue taking it for whole month.

• Contraception: Used as a combined oral contraceptive pill for prevention of pregnancy.
• Irregular Periods: Used for the treatment of irregular menstrual cycles.

Oral Contraceptive preparations

Combined Oral Contraceptive

Gestodene is a progestogen while ethinylestradiol is a synthetic oestrogen. Used together, they inhibit ovulation by suppressing the mid-cycle surge of luteinising hormone which causes changes in the cervical mucus, thus forming a barrier to sperm, and making the endometrium unreceptive to implantation.

Gestodene is a progestogen while ethinylestradiol is a synthetic oestrogen. Used together, they inhibit ovulation by suppressing the mid-cycle surge of luteinising hormone which causes changes in the cervical mucus and makes the endometrium unreceptive to implantation.

Adult Dose (Oral):

• 21-day pack: 1 tablet daily for 21 days starting on the 1st day of menstruation, followed by 7 pill-free days. 2nd pack should be started immediately on the day after the 7 pill-free days.
• 28-day pack: 1 tablet daily for 28 days (21 active + 7 non-hormonal). Start the next pack immediately on the day after the last pill of the previous pack.

Take 1 tablet at the same time every day. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. May be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered. If more than 24 hours late, use additional contraceptive methods for the next 7 days.

Common Side Effects:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Weight gain
• Fluid retention
• Depression, mood changes
• Breast pain and tenderness
• Rash
• Vaginal discharge
• Irregular uterine bleeding

Precautions:

• Ethinylestradiol + Gestodene does not usually affect your ability to drive.
• Prescribed by your doctor to help prevent pregnancy.
• Take your pill at the same time every day.
• You may experience menstrual irregularities such as spotting or bleeding; consult your doctor if this persists.
• Do not use if you are obese, over 35, smoke, on prolonged bed rest, or have a history of blood clots.
• Stop taking and inform doctor immediately if you notice unexplained swelling and pain in limbs, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headache, or changes in vision.
• Inform doctor if you notice jaundice, severe stomach pain, severe depression or if you think you could be pregnant.

Contraindications:

• Severe hepatic impairment
• Jaundice or persistent itching during a previous pregnancy
• Dubin-Johnson syndrome, Rotor syndrome
• Previous or existing liver tumours
• Personal or family history of VTE
• Sickle-cell anaemia
• Severe DM with vascular changes
• Lipid metabolism disorders
• Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Mammary or endometrial carcinoma
• Pregnancy

Drug Interactions:

• Hepatic enzyme inducers (barbiturates, primidone, phenobarbitone, phenytoin, phenylbutazone, rifampicin, carbamazepine, griseofulvin): May affect contraceptive efficacy.
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics: May reduce efficacy of oral contraceptive.
• HIV protease and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors: May affect hepatic metabolism.
• Cyclosporine: May increase plasma concentrations.
• Lamotrigine: May decrease serum levels.

Food Interactions: Caution is advised when consuming alcohol. Consult your doctor.

Use in Pregnancy: Highly unsafe during pregnancy; animal and human studies have shown significant harmful effects.

Use in Lactation: Probably unsafe; limited data suggests drug may pass into breastmilk and harm the baby.

Pediatric Use: Not indicated before menarche.

Geriatric Use: Indicated for women of reproductive age.

Renal Impairment: Limited information available on use in patients with kidney disease.

Hepatic Impairment: Probably unsafe in patients with liver disease and should be avoided.

Overdose: Overdose may cause nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, dizziness, abdominal pain, drowsiness, fatigue; withdrawal bleeding may occur. No specific antidote; symptomatic treatment.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Keep away from light and out of reach of children.

Ethinylestradiol + Gestodene