Ovranette Pill

What is Ovranette?

Ovranette is a combined hormonal contraceptive pill (often called "the combined pill" or simply "the Pill"). It contains two synthetic female sex hormones: levonorgestrel (150 micrograms), which is a progestogen, and ethinylestradiol (30 micrograms), which is an estrogen. These hormones work together to prevent pregnancy through multiple mechanisms.

Mechanism of Action: How Ovranette Works

Ovranette provides three-layered protection against pregnancy:

1. Prevents Ovulation: The hormones suppress the release of an egg from your ovaries each month.
2. Thickens Cervical Mucus: Makes the mucus at the entrance to the womb thicker, creating a barrier that sperm cannot easily penetrate.
3. Thins the Womb Lining: Makes the lining of the womb thinner, so even if an egg were fertilised, it would be less likely to implant and grow.

This multi-action approach makes combined pills like Ovranette one of the most effective reversible contraceptive methods when taken correctly, with a failure rate of less than 1% with perfect use, as confirmed by the British National Formulary.

What is Ovranette Used For?

Ovranette has both primary and secondary medical uses:

Approved Indications

Target Patient Populations

Ovranette is suitable for most healthy women of reproductive age who:

• Are seeking reliable, reversible contraception
• Do not smoke, or are under 35 if they smoke
• Have no personal or strong family history of blood clots
• Have no contraindications to estrogen-containing medications
• Would benefit from more regular, lighter, or less painful periods

Before Using Ovranette

Before starting Ovranette, a proper medical assessment is essential to ensure it's safe for you.

Medical History Assessment Checklist

Your clinician will ask about:

• Personal or family history of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke
• Current or past medical conditions (especially liver disease, breast cancer, migraines)
• Smoking status and number of cigarettes per day
• Current medications, including herbal remedies
• Pregnancy status or breastfeeding
• Any unexplained vaginal bleeding

Required Baseline Tests

Before prescribing Ovranette, your clinician should:

1. Confirm you are not pregnant (may require a pregnancy test)
2. Measure your blood pressure – this is essential
3. Check your weight and BMI
4. Consider a breast examination if you have concerns or family history
5. Ensure you are up to date with cervical screening (smear tests)

Ovranette Contraindications

Absolute Contraindications (DO NOT USE)

Ovranette must NOT be used if you have any of the following conditions as per the official Summary of Product Characteristics:

• Current or suspected pregnancy
• Current breastfeeding
• History of or current blood clots (venous thromboembolism)
• History of or current arterial thrombosis (heart attack, stroke)
• Severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Diabetes with vascular complications
• Migraine with aura (visual disturbances)
• Current or past breast cancer or other hormone-dependent cancers
• Severe liver disease or liver tumors
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Age 35 or over AND smoke 15+ cigarettes daily
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with positive antiphospholipid antibodies
• Allergy to levonorgestrel, ethinylestradiol, or any excipients

Risk Stratification Table

Special Population Considerations

Elderly Women

Ovranette is not intended for use after menopause. Women over 40 may have increased cardiovascular risks and should discuss alternative contraception with their clinician.

Adolescents

Ovranette can be used by adolescents after menarche (first period). However, careful assessment of compliance is needed as missed pills are common in this age group.

Renal Impairment

No dosage adjustment is needed for mild to moderate renal impairment. Severe renal impairment requires caution due to potential hypertension risk.

Hepatic Impairment

Contraindicated in severe liver disease. Mild impairment may be acceptable with monitoring. Liver function should return to normal before starting Ovranette if there's a history of liver disease.

Ovranette and Other Medicines

Several medicines can reduce the effectiveness of Ovranette or be affected by it. Always tell your clinician about ALL medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal remedies.

High-Risk Medication Combinations

Medicines that REDUCE Ovranette's effectiveness:

• Antibiotics: Rifampicin, rifabutin (for tuberculosis)
• Anticonvulsants: Carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, barbiturates, topiramate
• Antifungals: Griseofulvin
• HIV medicines: Protease inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
• Herbal remedies: St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
• Others: Modafinil, bosentan

Timing Recommendations

If you need to take a short course (≤7 days) of interacting medicine:

1. Continue taking Ovranette as usual
2. Use additional barrier contraception (condoms) during treatment AND for 7 days after stopping the interacting medicine
3. If there are fewer than 7 pills left in your pack after this period, start a new pack immediately without a break

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

Do not take Ovranette while breastfeeding. The hormones can pass into breast milk and may reduce milk production. Combined pills are generally not recommended until at least 6 weeks postpartum, and progestogen-only pills (mini-pills) are preferred for breastfeeding mothers.

Fertility After Stopping

Your fertility returns quickly after stopping Ovranette. Some women may experience a short delay (a few weeks to months) before their natural cycle returns, but there's no long-term effect on fertility.

Driving & Machine Operation

Ovranette has no known effect on the ability to drive or operate machinery. However, be aware that:

• Some women may experience dizziness, especially when starting treatment
• If you experience migraine with aura for the first time, you should not drive until symptoms completely resolve
• Severe side effects like visual disturbances or fainting would obviously impair driving ability

If you experience any symptoms that could affect your alertness or coordination, do not drive or operate machinery until you feel completely normal again.

Ovranette Ingredients

Active Ingredients (Therapeutic Components)

• Levonorgestrel: 150 micrograms – A synthetic progestogen hormone
• Ethinylestradiol: 30 micrograms – A synthetic estrogen hormone

Excipients (Inactive Ingredients)

These ingredients help form the tablet and ensure proper delivery:

• Lactose monohydrate: A sugar that forms the tablet base
• Maize starch: Helps bind the ingredients together
• Povidone 25: A binding agent
• Magnesium stearate: Prevents ingredients sticking to machinery
• Talc: A glidant to improve powder flow
• Sucrose: A sugar used in the coating
• Polyethylene glycol 6000: Part of the coating
• Calcium carbonate: An anti-caking agent
• White wax and carnauba wax: Coating ingredients
• Purified water: Used in manufacturing (not present in final tablet)

How to Use Ovranette

Ovranette is a 21-day combined pill. Correct use is essential for reliable contraception.

Standard Regimen

1. Take one pill daily at approximately the same time each day
2. Continue for 21 consecutive days (one full blister strip)
3. Then have a 7-day break (no pills)
4. Start your next pack on day 8, even if you're still bleeding
5. Always start each new pack on the same day of the week

Swallowing Instructions

• Swallow the tablet whole with water
• Do not chew or crush the tablet
• Can be taken with or without food
• If you have trouble swallowing, the tablet can be taken with a small amount of soft food (like yogurt) – but swallow immediately without chewing

Ovranette Dosage Guidelines

Standard Dose

Never adjust your dose without medical advice. Higher doses for non-contraceptive uses should only be taken under direct medical supervision.

Administration Instructions

Starting Ovranette for the First Time

Option 1: Quick Start (Immediate Protection)

1. Take your first Ovranette pill on the first day of your period
2. You are protected from pregnancy immediately
3. Continue taking one pill daily at the same time

Option 2: Sunday Start (Delayed Protection)

1. Take your first pill on the first Sunday after your period starts
2. Use additional contraception (condoms) for the first 7 days
3. After 7 days of correct pill-taking, you're protected

Missed Dose Management

Missing pills increases pregnancy risk. Follow this time-based guidance:

Overdose Information

Accidentally taking more than one Ovranette tablet is unlikely to cause serious harm, but may cause symptoms.

Symptoms of Overdose

• Nausea and vomiting
• Breast tenderness
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue
• Withdrawal bleeding (like a period)

Management Protocol

1. If conscious and alert: Drink plenty of water, monitor for symptoms
2. If vomiting occurs: Ensure adequate hydration
3. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice, even if symptoms seem mild
4. In severe cases or if concerned: Visit A&E or call 111 for advice

Ovranette Side Effects

Like all medicines, Ovranette can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Side effects are usually mild and often improve after the first few months.

Serious Side Effects - Seek IMMEDIATE Medical Help

Frequency-Based Side Effects

Very Common (≥1 in 10 women)

• Headaches (including migraines)
• Breakthrough bleeding or spotting (especially first few months)

Common (≥1 in 100 to <1 in 10 women)

• Nausea, vomiting
• Stomach pain, cramps
• Mood changes, depression
• Dizziness, nervousness
• Changes in sex drive
• Acne
• Breast tenderness, enlargement
• Weight changes
• Vaginal infections (e.g., thrush)

Uncommon (≥1 in 1,000 to <1 in 100 women)

• Diarrhoea
• Appetite changes
• Changes in menstrual flow
• Rash, hives
• Chloasma (brown patches on skin)
• Fluid retention (swollen ankles/hands)
• Increased blood pressure
• Changes in blood fats

Reporting Side Effects

You can report suspected side effects via the UK Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in app stores.

How to Store Ovranette

• Temperature: Store below 25°C
• Location: Keep in original packaging to protect from moisture and light
• Safety: Keep out of sight and reach of children
• Expiry: Do not use after the expiry date printed on the blister and carton
• Desiccant: Each blister is packed with a silica gel sachet – throw this away when you open the pouch

Disposal Protocol

Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste. Return unused or expired medicines to your pharmacy for proper disposal. This helps protect the environment.

Ovranette Pack Information

What's in the Pack

• Tablets: White, round, sugar-coated tablets
• Packaging: Aluminium foil/PVC blister strips
• Each blister: Contains 21 tablets, each marked with a day of the week
• Carton contents: 1, 3, or 50 blister strips (not all pack sizes may be available)
• Included: Each blister is in a foil pouch with silica gel desiccant (throw away when opened)

Manufacturer and Licence Holder

• Marketing Authorisation Holder: Pfizer Limited, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9NJ, UK
• Manufacturers: Haupt Pharma Münster GmbH (Germany) and Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals (Ireland)
• Product Licence Number: PL 00057/0528

Where Can I Buy Ovranette Online in the UK

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