Cilique

Cilique is an oral progestin medication which is a a form of contraception for women. It is classed as a combined pill, i.e. it contains the hormones progesterone and oestrogen. Cilique is also used in menopausal hormone therapy. The active ingredients in Cilique are norgestimate and ethinylestradiol. Each tablet contains 250 micrograms of norgestimate and 35 micrograms of ethinylestradiol.

Cilique is an oral progestin medication which is a a form of contraception for women. It is classed as a combined pill, i.e. it contains the hormones progesterone and oestrogen. Cilique is also used in menopausal hormone therapy. The active ingredients in Cilique are norgestimate and ethinylestradiol. Each tablet contains 250 micrograms of norgestimate and 35 micrograms of ethinylestradiol.

Cilique birth control prevents an egg from being released from the ovaries. It also thickens the fluid in your cervix, making it harder for sperm to gain access to your womb.

The Cilique contraceptive pill is taken once a day for 21 days. The tablets are supplied in a 21-pill strip, each labelled with a day of the week. Follow the direction of the arrows marked on the strip and take a pill at the same time each day, making sure it corresponds with the correct day of the week. Swallow each Cilique contraceptive pill whole with water. After the 21st day, there then follows seven days without taking a Cilique contraceptive pill, when you should have a natural menstrual period.

At the end of the seven days, start the next strip of Cilique contraceptive pills, even if the period has not finished. You should find that you always start a new strip of Cilique on the same day of the week at the same time.

If you miss a dose or take your Cilique contraceptive pills at different times of days, the contraceptive protection will become less effective and you could become pregnant. The chances of becoming pregnant depend on how many pills you have missed. The more you miss, the greater the chances of unprotected sex leading to pregnancy. If you forget a pill, take it as soon as you remember and then take the next dose as scheduled. There is no advantage to ‘doubling up’ on a dose.

As is the case with all medications, the Cilique contraceptive pill is associated with certain side effects, although these are not experienced by everyone.

Some of the more common side effects are:

• Bleeding/spotting mid-cycle;
• Diarrhoea;
• Headache;
• Nausea;
• Painful/unusual periods,
• Vomiting.

Other side effects include:

• Migraine;
• Oedema (swelling);
• Painful breasts;
• Increase in vaginal discharge;
• Fatigue;
• Weight gain;
• Skin complaints (acne, rashes);
• Muscle cramps;
• Cessation of menstrual periods.

Consult your doctor if you experience any other side effects that you are unsure about.

Do not take Cilique birth control if you are pregnant. You might not be prescribed Cilique if you:

• Are obese or very overweight;
• Are over the age of 35;
• Are a regular smoker;
• Take specific medications which are known to interact with the Cilique contraceptive pill, which is why it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you currently take, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications;
• Have any current or past health conditions that make Cilique birth control unsafe. Always read the entire list of warnings on the leaflet supplied with the medication.

Seek advice from your doctor if you are planning to breastfeed whilst taking the Cilique contraceptive pill, as a tiny amount of the drug can pass into the milk. There are no contraindications against driving or operating heavy machinery whilst taking Cilique birth control.