How To Use Femodette

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

Femodette comes in blister strips of 21 pills, each marked with a day of the week. Follow these steps exactly:

1. Start on the correct day: If starting for the first time, take the first pill on day 1 of your menstrual period (the first day of bleeding). Protection is immediate. If you start on any other day, use additional contraception (e.g., condoms) for the first 7 days.
2. Take one pill daily at the same time: Swallow the pill whole with water. Do not chew. Choose a time of day that is easy to remember – this helps maintain consistent hormone levels.
3. Follow the arrows: Take the pill marked with the correct day of the week. Continue in the direction of the arrows until the strip is finished.
4. 21 days on, 7 days off: After taking the last pill (day 21), you have a 7‑day break with no pills. A withdrawal bleed (like a period) usually occurs during this break, often starting 2‑3 days after the last pill.
5. Start the next strip on time: Always begin your next strip of Femodette after exactly 7 pill‑free days, even if you are still bleeding. This ensures you remain protected and your cycle stays regular.

Dosage Guide: When and How to Take Your Pills

What if you miss a pill?

Lost pill or damaged strip

If you lose a pill, you have two options: either take the last pill of the strip in its place (your cycle will shift by one day, but protection remains), or take a pill from a spare strip if you have one. Keep a spare strip for such situations.

Vomiting or severe diarrhoea

If you vomit within 3‑4 hours of taking a pill, it may not have been fully absorbed. Follow the missed‑pill advice as if you had missed that pill. If vomiting or diarrhoea continues for more than 12 hours, use extra contraception (condoms) for as long as the illness lasts and for 7 days after recovery.

Who Should Use Femodette and Who Should Not

Femodette is suitable for most healthy women of reproductive age who want reliable contraception. However, it is not suitable for everyone.

Do NOT use Femodette if you:

• Have or have ever had a blood clot in a vein (DVT, pulmonary embolism) or artery (heart attack, stroke, angina).
• Have a known inherited clotting disorder (e.g., Factor V Leiden, protein S deficiency).
• Are going to have major surgery or will be immobile for a long time (stop at least 4 weeks before).
• Have ever had migraine with aura (focal neurological symptoms).
• Have current or past breast cancer or any hormone‑sensitive cancer.
• Have severe liver disease or liver tumours (benign or malignant).
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• Are pregnant (or think you might be).
• Are allergic to any ingredient in Femodette (see PIL).
• Take Hepatitis C combination medicines (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir).

Use with caution – speak to your doctor if you:

• Smoke, especially if over 35.
• Have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or are obese.
• Have a family history of blood clots or breast cancer.
• Have Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, sickle cell disease, or SLE.
• Have gallstones or porphyria.
• Are taking long‑term medicines that may interact (see section on drug interactions).

Taking Femodette with Food and Without Food

Femodette can be taken with or without food. There are no specific restrictions. However, taking it with a meal may help if you have a sensitive stomach or experience mild nausea when taking the pill on an empty stomach. The most important factor is consistency: take it at the same time every day to maintain steady hormone levels.

If you take Femodette with food, be aware that a heavy, high‑fat meal does not significantly affect absorption – both gestodene and ethinylestradiol are well absorbed regardless. However, if vomiting occurs within 3‑4 hours after taking it, follow the missed‑pill guidance above.

Special Conditions: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Other Considerations

Pregnancy

Do not use Femodette if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking it, stop immediately and consult your doctor. Epidemiological studies have not shown an increased risk of birth defects if combined contraceptives are accidentally taken in early pregnancy, but it is not indicated.

Breastfeeding

Femodette is generally not recommended during breastfeeding as oestrogens may reduce milk quantity and quality. Small amounts of hormones pass into breast milk, but no adverse effects on the infant have been confirmed. Discuss alternative progestogen‑only methods with your doctor.

After childbirth or miscarriage

• After first‑trimester miscarriage/abortion: You can start Femodette immediately – protection is immediate.
• After second‑trimester miscarriage or delivery: Wait 21 days (provided you are fully mobile). If starting later than day 21, use extra contraception for 7 days. If you have had a baby and are breastfeeding, see above.

Drug interactions

Some medicines can make Femodette less effective. Always tell any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist you are taking Femodette. Key interactors include: rifampicin, certain anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenytoin, topiramate), some HIV/HCV treatments, and St John's Wort. You may need additional contraception or a different method while taking these.

Femodette Usage FAQs

Need Femodette with Expert Guidance?

If you're considering Femodette, a UK‑registered doctor can review your suitability and provide a prescription online.

Secure Prescription & Next-Day Delivery

MHRA‑compliant | GPhC‑registered pharmacy | Discreet packaging | UK‑registered doctors