How To Use Lucette

How to Take Lucette: Step‑by‑Step Usage Guide

Follow these steps exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. Each blister pack contains 21 tablets.

1. Choose your start day: The best time to start is on the first day of your menstrual period (day 1). Protection begins immediately. If you start on days 2‑5, you must use additional contraception (e.g., condoms) for the first 7 days.
2. Take one tablet daily: Swallow the tablet whole with a little water if needed. You can take it with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day – this helps you remember and maintains hormone levels.
3. Follow the arrow: The blister pack has arrows and weekday markings. Take the tablet marked with the correct day. Once you finish all 21 tablets, stop for 7 days.
4. During the 7‑day break: Withdrawal bleeding usually starts on day 2 or 3. Do not take any tablets during this week.
5. Start the next pack: On day 8 (exactly one week after your last tablet), begin a new blister pack – even if your bleeding hasn’t finished. This ensures continuous contraceptive cover.

Dosage Guide & Administration Instructions

The dosage is always one tablet per day. There is no dose adjustment for body weight; however, if you have a BMI over 30 kg/m², your doctor may discuss alternative options because the risk of blood clots is higher.

What to do if you miss a pill

If you are less than 12 hours late, take the missed tablet immediately and continue the next one at your usual time. Protection is maintained.

If you are more than 12 hours late, follow these rules based on which week you missed it:

Vomiting and severe diarrhoea

If you vomit within 3‑4 hours of taking a tablet, it may not be fully absorbed. Take another tablet from a backup pack as soon as possible (within 12 hours of your usual time). If vomiting continues or you have severe diarrhoea for more than 12 hours, treat it as a missed pill and follow the above rules.

Who Should Use Lucette (Indications)

Lucette is indicated for women of reproductive age who choose a combined oral contraceptive for pregnancy prevention. It may also be prescribed for:

• Women with moderate acne (due to the anti‑androgenic effect of drospirenone).
• Women experiencing fluid retention or bloating with other pills (drospirenone’s anti‑mineralocorticoid activity helps).
• Women requiring reliable cycle control and predictable withdrawal bleeds.

Your doctor will assess your medical history to ensure Lucette is suitable for you.

Who Should NOT Use Lucette (Contraindications)

Do not take Lucette if any of the following apply. Your doctor will discuss alternative contraception:

• Blood clots: Current or past deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or known clotting disorders (e.g., Factor V Leiden).
• Artery problems: History of heart attack, stroke, angina, or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
• Migraine with aura: This increases stroke risk.
• Liver disease: Severe liver disease or liver tumours (benign or malignant).
• Kidney failure: Severe renal insufficiency or acute renal failure.
• Cancer: Hormone‑sensitive cancers (e.g., breast cancer).
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding: Before diagnosis.
• Allergy: To ethinylestradiol, drospirenone, or any excipients (especially soya lecithin – do not use if allergic to peanut or soya).
• Hepatitis C medications: Containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir.

Taking Lucette with Food or Without Food

Lucette can be taken with or without food. If you experience mild nausea, taking it with a meal or just before bed may help. Swallow the tablet whole with a small amount of water if needed. There are no specific foods you must avoid; however, grapefruit juice may slightly increase ethinylestradiol levels, but this is not clinically significant. Consistency in timing matters more than food.

Special Conditions: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Other Considerations

Pregnancy: Do not take Lucette if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking it, stop immediately and consult your doctor. There is no evidence of harm from accidental use in early pregnancy, but the pill should not be continued.

Breastfeeding: Lucette is generally not recommended while breastfeeding because oestrogens may reduce milk quantity and quality. Progestogen‑only methods are preferred. Discuss with your doctor.

After childbirth: If you are not breastfeeding, you can start Lucette 21‑28 days after delivery. If you start later, use condoms for the first 7 days and ensure you are not pregnant.

After miscarriage or abortion: Follow your doctor’s advice – usually you can start immediately.

Liver or kidney impairment: Contraindicated in severe disease. Mild to moderate impairment may require caution – your doctor will decide.

Lucette Usage FAQs

Need Lucette with Expert Guidance?

If you are considering Lucette for contraception, our UK‑registered doctors can assess your suitability and provide a prescription online after a consultation.

Secure Prescription & Next‑Day Delivery

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