Microgynon

/ Bayer

One tablet per day, at a set time, for 21 days. After taking the tablets for 21 days, take a 7-day break.
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Oral contraceptive.

Hypersensitivity to any of the components. Pregnancy. Severe disturbances of liver function, jaundice or persistent itching during a previous pregnancy, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, Rotor syndrome, previous or existing liver tumours. Current or past confirmed venous thromboembolism (VTE), family history of idiopathic VTE and other known risk factors for VTE. Existing or previous arterial thrombotic or embolic processes; conditions which predispose to them, e.g. disorders of the clotting processes, valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation. Sickle cell anaemia. Mammary or endometrial carcinoma, or a history of these conditions. Severe diabetes mellitus with vascular changes. Disorders of lipid metabolism. History of herpes gestationis. Deterioration of otosclerosis during pregnancy. Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding.
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Reasons for immediate discontinuation: Migrainous headaches or more frequent severe headaches, perceptual disorders, first signs of thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic symptoms. Pain and tightness in the chest, six weeks before an operation, immobilization. Hepatitis, itching, increase in epileptic seizures, rise in blood pressure, onset of severe depression. Diabetes, high blood pressure, varicose veins, otosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, porphyria, tetany, chorea minor. A history of phlebitis, tendency to diabetes. The risk of arterial thrombosis increases with heavy smoking, age and the use of combined oral contraceptives. Before starting treatment, a general medicdbal and gynecological examination should be carried out and the family case history carefully noted. Disturbances of the clotting system must be ruled out. Control examinations should be conducted at intervals of about 6 months. During the first course, an additional, non-hormonal method of contraception (with the exception of the rhythm and temperature methods) must be employed for the 14 days of tablet-taking to ensure protection against pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus, or a tendency towards diabetes mellitus, hypertension, varicose veins, a history of phlebitis, otosclerosis, epilepsy, porphyria, tetany, disturbed liver function, Sydenham chorea, renal dysfunction, family history of clotting disorder, obesity, family history of breast cancer and patient history of benign breast disease, history of clinical depression, systemic lupus erythematosus, uterine fibroids and migraine, gall-stones, cardiovascular diseases, chloasma, asthma, or any disease that is prone to worsen during pregnancy. Some women may experience amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea after discontinuation of oral contraceptives, especially when these conditions existed prior to use.
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Headaches, gastric upsets, nausea, a feeling of tension in the breasts, changes in body weight and libido, depressive moods. Long-term use can sometimes cause brownish patches on the face, which can worsen by long exposure to the sun. Poor tolerance of contact lenses have been reported. Reduction of menstrual flow. Missed menstruation: If withdrawal bleeding fails to occur at the end of a second pack, the possibility of pregnancy must be ruled out before resuming with the next pack. Breakthrough bleeding. If irregular bleeding is persistent, appropriate diagnostic measures to exclude an organic cause are indicated. Laboratory staff should be informed about oral contraceptive use when laboratory tests are requested. If patient has gastrointestinal upset which results in vomiting or diarrhea, the patient is advised to use, in addition, a non-hormonal method of contraception (with the exception of the rhythm and temperature methods) for that particular cycle, but without interrupting her course of tablets.
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Barbiturates, phenylbutazone, hydantoins, rifampicin, antibiotics, oral antidiabetic/insulin.
See prescribing information for full details.