Microgynon 30

• Combined oral contraceptive pill (two sex hormones)
• Highly effective
• Not suitable for women who are breastfeeding

Microgynon 30 is an oral contraceptive that contains two types of female sex hormones. Microgynon 30 is used to prevent pregnancy.

Contraceptive pills with two active ingredients are also called combination pills or combined contraceptive pills. Microgynon 30 contains two types of female sex hormones, levonorgestrel (a progestogen hormone) and ethinylestradiol (a form of oestrogen).

Combined contraceptive pills are very reliable. As long as they are taken correctly, they are highly effective at preventing pregnancy.

To prevent pregnancy, always take Microgynon 30 as described below. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Take the tablets at about the same time every day, with a drink of water if necessary. It is important that you don't miss or skip a dose. This can make Microgynon 30 less effective, which may result in pregnancy.

Check the package leaflet to see when to start your first pack of Microgynon 30. This depends, among other things, on whether you are changing to Microgynon 30 from another contraceptive pill.

Dosage

Take one tablet a day. Each strip of Microgynon 30 contains 21 tablets. Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip. Take one pill each day, until you have finished all 21 tablets, followed by seven days when you take no tablets. During this tablet-free week, you should have a withdrawal bleed like a period. This bleed typically occurs within two or three days of taking the last tablet from the strip. You are also protected from pregnancy during this week.

Start with your next strip on day 8 – even if you are still bleeding. As long as you take Microgynon 30 correctly, you will always start each new strip on the same day of the week (and have your withdrawal bleed on roughly the same day each month). Read the package leaflet for instructions on how to change this day or postpone your period.

Alcohol/driving

Microgynon 30 does not interact with alcohol or interfere with your ability to drive safely.

If you take more Microgynon 30 than you should or miss a dose

If you have taken more Microgynon 30 tablets than you should, nausea, vomiting or vaginal bleeding may occur. If you think a child may have swallowed some tablets, contact to a doctor immediately.

If you miss a dose and it is less than 12 hours ago, you can still take the forgotten tablet without an increased risk of falling pregnant. If you are more than 12 hours late, refer to the package leaflet for precise instructions on what to do. If you accidentally miss a dose, Microgynon 30 can be less effective. Whether this is the case, depends on a number of factors. For example, on the week in which you missed a dose.

If you vomit within three to four hours after taking your tablet or have severe diarrhoea, the active ingredient may not have been completely absorbed. This situation can be compared to missing a pill. Take a tablet from a new strip as soon as possible, within 12 hourswhen you were due to take the missed tablet. If this is not possible, or if more than 12 hours have passed, follow the instructions in the package leaflet.

Microgynon 30 not suitable for everyone. Do not take this contraceptive pill if:

• You have, or have had, a blood clot in a blood vessel of your legs (deep vein thrombosis), your lungs (pulmonary embolus) or other organs.
• You have ever had a condition affecting the blood vessels or arteries, such as a heart attack or stroke.
• You have an increased risk of developing a blood clot (thrombosis).
• See the package leaflet for details.
• You have, or have had, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• You have, or have had, jaundice or a severe liver disease.
• You have, or have had, a liver tumour.
• You have, or have had, breast cancer or cancer of the genital organs.
• You have any unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• You are hypersensitive to any ingredient in Microgynon 30.

If you suffer from any of these conditions or symptoms, or get them for the first time while taking Microgynon 30, stop taking Microgynon 30 immediately and contact your doctor.

When should this medicine be used with caution?

Sometimes regular check-ups with a doctor are necessary while taking Microgynon 30. This is the case if:

• You smoke.
• You have diabetes.
• You are overweight.
• You have high blood pressure.
• You have a heart and vascular disease.
• You have a blood disorder.
• You suffer from epilepsy or migraine headaches, or in the case of certain types of cancer.
• You have liver disease or gall bladder disease.

See the package leaflet for a full list of situations when to take special care with Microgynon 30. Always consult a doctor if an above-listed condition or situation applies to you.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not use Microgynon 30 if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

The use of Microgynon 30 is not recommended in breastfeeding women. If you do want to use the pill while breastfeeding, talk to your doctor first.

Other medicines and Microgynon 30

Some medicines may make Microgynon 30 less effective. These medicines include:

• Medicines used to treat epilepsy (e.g., primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate).
• Medicines used to treat tuberculosis (e.g., rifampicin, rifabutin).
• Medicines used to treat HIV (e.g., ritonavir, nevirapine).
• Certain antibiotics (e.g., griseofulvin, penicillin, tetracycline).
• Herbal remedies containing St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). This effect can continue for at least two weeks after treatment with St John's Wort treatment has been discontinued.

Microgynon 30 can stop some other medicines from working properly, for example some medicines used to treat epilepsy such as cyclosporin and lamotrigine. Reduced effectiveness of lamotrigine may lead to an increase in seizures (fits).

It is important to tell the doctor what other medicines you are already taking. For more information, see the package leaflet.

Microgynon 30 is generally well tolerated, but it can cause side effects.

Side effects that are common (may affect up to 10 in 100 women) are:

• Mood changes, including depression.
• Headache.
• Nausea or stomach pain.
• Breast tenderness or pain.
• Weight gain.

Side effects that are uncommon (may affect up to 10 in 1,000 women) are:

• Decreased sexual drive (libido).
• Skin rash, with symptoms such as itching and/or bumps.
• Vomiting, diarrhoea.
• Breast enlargement.
• Fluid retention.

For a list of rare side effects, please see the package leaflet. The use of Microgynon 30 has been associated with a (slight) increased risk of thrombosis and certain types of cancer. Please see the package leaflet for more information.

The active ingredients are levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol. Each tablet of Microgynon 30 contains: 150 micrograms of the progestogen levonorgestrel, and 30 micrograms of the oestrogen ethinylestradiol.

Other ingredients are: lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone 25 (E1201), magnesium stearate (E470B), sucrose, povidone 700000, polyethylene glycol 6000, calcium carbonate (E170), talc (E553b), glycol montanate (E192), titanium dioxide (E171), glycerol 85% (E442), iron oxide pigment yellow (E172).

The manufacturer of Microgynon 30 is:

Bayer Schering Pharma AG Berlin, Germany

Read the package leaflet before use.