About ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE
ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE belongs to the group of combined oral contraceptives used as a means of birth control in women who wish to prevent unwanted pregnancy. It is a hormonal combination that contains two female reproductive hormones, oestrogen and progestogen.
ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE is composed of Ethinylestradiol and Gestodene. It is essentially an ovulation inhibitor, meaning it inhibits the release of potent eggs from the ovary, thereby preventing pregnancy. In addition, ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE also helps in making cervical mucus inhospitable for the incoming sperm, thereby effectively controlling pregnancy.
Take ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE as suggested. In some cases, ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE may cause some common side effects such as nausea, breast soreness, headache and stomach pain. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects consistently.
Please inform the doctor if you are allergic to any of the components of ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE. Stop taking ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE if you are pregnant and talk to your doctor. Consult your doctor before taking ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE if you are breastfeeding. Do not consume ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE with alcohol. ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE is not recommended for use in children. To rule out any interactions, keep your doctor informed about your health condition and current medications.
Uses of ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE
Contraception
Medicinal Benefits
ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE is a combined oral contraceptive and birth control pill. It contains Ethinylestradiol and Gestodene. ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE is used to prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation and changing the consistency of cervical secretions. Ethinylestradiol works by reducing the release of the luteinizing hormone (LH) from the brain and moderating the levels of gonadotropins (sex hormones), thereby suppressing ovulation. Gestodene helps make cervical mucus inhospitable for the incoming sperm, thereby effectively controlling pregnancy.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Breast tenderness
- Mood swings
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform your doctor if you have/had heart disease, stroke, heart attack, deep vein thrombosis (clot in the legs), pulmonary embolism (clot in the lungs), migraine with aura, blood disorders, liver disease, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, very high blood cholesterol, clotting disorders, varicose veins, gall-bladder disease, pancreatic disorders, breast/uterine/cervical cancer, bowel disease, absorption disorders, SLE (lupus), HUS (haemolytic uraemic syndrome), or any kind of anaemia. Keep your doctor informed of your entire family history of any hormone-dependent cancers. Consult your doctor before taking ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE during pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding, as it is not recommended in these states. Do not consume ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE with alcohol. Women with a tendency for chloasma/melasma (a skin condition commonly seen in middle-aged women) should avoid sun exposure after taking ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE. Women with a history of angioedema should exercise caution while taking ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE as it may worsen the angioedema. Inform your doctor of any medications you are currently on, especially if you are on any antibiotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, anti-virals, sedatives or any herbal remedies for depression.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE is known to interact with antiepileptics (e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin), blood-thinners (e.g. warfarin), anti-diabetics (e.g. insulin), HRT (e.g. tamoxifen), antidepressants (e.g. St. John’s wort), antibiotics (e.g. rifampicin), antifungal (e.g. griseofulvin), anti-HIV drugs (e.g. ritonavir), sedatives (e.g. secobarbital, phenobarbital), and steroids (e.g. dexamethasone).
Drug-Food Interactions: Grapefruit juice, caffeine, and fats may interfere with the absorption of ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE. Proceed with caution.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, angioedema, carcinomas, hypertension, DVT (deep vein thrombosis), pulmonary embolism, liver cancers, hypercalcemia, hypercholesterolaemia, uncontrolled diabetes, or migraine with aura.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid or limit consuming alcohol while on treatment with ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE.
Pregnancy
unsafeETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE is not recommended for use in pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs while taking ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE, the medication must be discontinued. Please consult your doctor in case of any concerns.
Breast Feeding
unsafeETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE is not recommended for use during breastfeeding as it may reduce the quantity or alter the composition of breast milk. Please consult the doctor in case of any concerns.
Driving
safe if suggestedETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE does not affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE should be used with caution if you have pre-existing or a history of severe liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE has not been studied in kidney patients. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE is recommended only for women after menarche.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- As nausea and vomiting may occur using ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE, make sure to take it on light, small meals.
- After starting ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE, use another alternative non-hormonal contraceptive for at least ten days.
- Avoid grapefruit juice while taking ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE as this may interact with ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE and affect its absorption.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking interferes with ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE absorption.
- Maintaining a healthy weight can go a long way in promoting healthy female reproductive health. Make sure you exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. However, do not engage in very strenuous physical exercise, which can worsen bleeding.
- Regularly working night shifts can affect hormone production. Try to avoid night shifts.
- Maintain good sexual hygiene and prevent sexually transmitted diseases by practising safe sex.
Special Advise
- Do not skip tablets or delay intake by more than 12 hours. Use a condom for seven days after a missed dose.
- Chart your menstrual cycle and take ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE on Day 1 of your cycle, i.e. Day 1 of your period.
- Use a condom or any non-hormonal contraceptive for the first ten days after starting ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE.
- Please inform the doctor immediately if you notice breast lump, dark urine, yellowing of the skin, mood changes, headache, palpitations, severe fatigue or any alarming changes in vaginal bleeding.
- Call the doctor right away in case of any stroke symptoms such as breathlessness, confusion, dizziness, left arm pain, jaw pain or sudden vision changes and pulmonary embolism symptoms such as cough, leg pain, warmth, pain in the calf etc.
- Your doctor may advise regular blood tests and cervical smear tests while you are on ETHINYLESTRADIOL+GESTODENE.
- Inform your doctor in case you have an impending surgery or operation.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea following the use of the tablet can be considered a missed dose. In this case, additional contraceptive measures are advised.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Oral Contraception: Oral contraception is birth control taken by mouth by women to prevent pregnancy. It is commonly referred to as the ‘’pill’’. Oral contraceptives contain hormonal preparations of female sex hormones for birth control.
