How To Use Femodene

How to Take Femodene: Step-by-Step Usage Guide

Follow these instructions exactly to ensure maximum contraceptive protection.

1. When to start:
   • First-time user or starting after a break: Start on the first day of your period. You will be protected immediately.
   • If you start on days 2–5 of your period: Use additional contraception (e.g., condoms) for the first 7 days.
   • After childbirth: Wait 21 days if fully mobile and not breastfeeding; use condoms until you start and for first 7 days.
   • After miscarriage/abortion: Your doctor may advise starting immediately.
2. Daily routine: Take one tablet at the same time each day (e.g., with breakfast). Swallow whole with water if needed. Follow the arrows on the blister pack.
3. 21-day cycle: Continue until the pack is empty (21 tablets).
4. 7-day break: Take no tablets for 7 days. A withdrawal bleed (like a period) usually occurs 2–3 days after the last tablet.
5. Start next pack: On day 8 (the same weekday you started the first pack), begin your next strip – even if you are still bleeding.

What to do if you miss a pill

• Less than 12 hours late: Take it immediately and continue the rest at the usual time. No extra protection needed.
• More than 12 hours late (or missed more than one):
  • Take the most recent missed pill immediately (this may mean taking two pills in one day).
  • Leave any earlier missed pills in the pack.
  • Use extra contraception (e.g., condoms) for the next 7 days.
  • If you missed pills in the first week (days 1–7) and had unprotected sex, consider emergency contraception.
  • If you have fewer than 7 pills left in the pack, finish the pack and start the next pack without a break (skip the pill‑free week).

Vomiting or diarrhoea

If you vomit within 4 hours of taking a tablet, or have severe diarrhoea, the pill may not be fully absorbed. Follow the missed pill advice above and use extra contraception while unwell and for 7 days after recovery.

Femodene Dosage Guide

Each Femodene tablet contains 75 micrograms of gestodene and 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol. The dosage is fixed: one tablet daily for 21 consecutive days, followed by a 7‑day break. No dose adjustment is needed for body weight or age, but your doctor will assess your suitability.

If you are taking other medications that may interact (e.g., certain antibiotics, epilepsy drugs), your doctor may advise a different contraceptive method or additional precautions.

Who Should Use Femodene

Femodene is suitable for healthy women of reproductive age who want reliable, reversible contraception. It may be particularly beneficial if you:

• Prefer a monthly cycle with regular withdrawal bleeds.
• Experience painful, heavy, or irregular periods (the pill often improves these).
• Want non‑contraceptive benefits like reduced risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer with long‑term use.

However, a doctor must first confirm that you have no contraindications (see next section).

Who Should Not Use Femodene

Based on the PIL and SmPC, do not use Femodene if you have any of the following:

• Current or past blood clot in a vein (DVT, PE) or artery (heart attack, stroke).
• Known clotting disorders (e.g., Factor V Leiden, protein C/S deficiency).
• Severe diabetes with vascular changes, very high blood pressure, or severe dyslipidaemia.
• Migraine with aura (focal neurological symptoms).
• Breast cancer (current or past).
• Severe liver disease (until liver function returns to normal) or liver tumours.
• Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.
• Allergy to any ingredient.
• Use of hepatitis C combination products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir.

Also, tell your doctor if you have conditions that require special supervision (e.g., diabetes, Crohn's disease, SLE, hypertriglyceridaemia).

Taking Femodene with Food and Without Food

Femodene can be taken with or without food. There is no known interaction with any specific food or drink. However, if you experience nausea (common in the first few packs), taking the pill with a meal or just before bed may help.

Consistency in timing is more important than food – try to take it at the same time every day to maintain stable hormone levels.

Special Conditions: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Other Considerations

Pregnancy

Do not take Femodene if you are pregnant. If you suspect you might be pregnant, stop the pill and do a pregnancy test. Animal studies and epidemiological data do not indicate increased risk of birth defects if accidentally taken in early pregnancy, but the pill should not be continued once pregnancy is confirmed.

Breastfeeding

Femodene is generally not recommended during breastfeeding because oestrogen can reduce the quantity and quality of breast milk. Small amounts of hormones pass into milk, but they are not thought to be harmful to the infant. Progestogen‑only methods (e.g., mini‑pill, implant, IUS) are preferred while breastfeeding.

After childbirth or miscarriage

You can usually start Femodene 21 days after delivery (if fully mobile and not breastfeeding). After a first‑trimester miscarriage or abortion, you can start immediately – your doctor will advise.

Liver or kidney impairment

Femodene is contraindicated in severe liver disease until liver function normalises. In mild impairment, use with caution and under medical supervision.

Elderly use

Not applicable – Femodene is intended for women of reproductive age.

Femodene FAQs

Need a Femodene Prescription?

Our UK‑registered doctors can assess your suitability for Femodene and issue a private prescription online if appropriate.

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