Microgynon 30 (ethinylestradiol + levonorgestrel)

Disclaimer: Microgynon 30 is currently not available in the Philippines. Other brands are available. This information is for educational purposes only.

Microgynon  is a combined oral contraceptive that contains two active ingredients: ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic version of estrogen and levonorgestrel is a synthetic form of progesterone.

Uses

What are Microgynon 30 uses?

• Birth control (contraception)
• Managing heavy or painful menstruation
• Treating hormonal acne
• Ovarian cysts
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Ectopic pregnancy

How should I take Microgynon 30?

Read the directions on the packaging for complete information. Check the label and expiration date.

Take the tablet by mouth without chewing or crushing it. It is best to take it at the same time each day. Take it with or without food. Because there are 7 inactive (placebo) tablets, do not take a break between packs.

How do I store Microgynon 30?

Store this product at room temperature away from direct light and moisture. To prevent drug damage, you should not store it in the bathroom or the freezer. 

There may be different brands of this drug that may have different storage needs. So, it is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.

You should not flush this product down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Additionally, it is important to properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should I know before using Microgynon 30?

This contraceptive pill will not protect you against sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, syphillis, and gonorrhea. Practice safe sex and use condoms as necessary, especially with new partners.

Oral contraceptive pills tend to increase the risk of blood clots and certain cancers.

Because the pill works to alter your natural ovulation, your normal menstrual cycle may change significantly. Your period is likely to become more regular and lighter, with decreased cramping and pain. Some women may skip their period, while others may experience spotting.

Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

This drug should not be used during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs during treatment, stop taking it immediately and consult a doctor.

Combination birth control pills interfere with milk production. In addition, some of the drugs pass into breast milk and can affect a nursing baby. If you plan to breastfeed, consider pausing combined oral contraception pills or switch to progestin-only pills.

Side Effects

What side effects can occur from Microgynon 30?

Like all drugs, this product may have side effects. If they occur, side effects are generally mild and resolve once treatment is finished or the dose is lowered. Some reported side effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Headache/migraine
• Breast tenderness and enlargement
• Weight changes
• Retention of water in the body tissues (fluid retention)
• Vaginal thrush (candidiasis)
• Change in menstrual bleeding, usually lighter periods or sometimes stopping of periods
• Menstrual spotting or breakthrough bleeding
• Depression
• Decreased sex drive
• Rise in blood pressure
• Skin reactions
• Irregular brown patches on the skin, usually of the face (chloasma)
• Steepening of corneal curvature, which may make contact lenses uncomfortable
• Disturbance in liver function
• Gallstones
• Blood clots in the blood vessels (e.g., DVT, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, stroke – see important information above)

Stop taking this medicine and inform your doctor immediately if you get any of the following symptoms:

• Stabbing pains and/or unusual swelling in one leg
• Pain on breathing or coughing
• Coughing up blood
• Sudden breathlessness
• Sudden severe chest pain
• Migraine or severe headaches
• Sudden disturbance in vision
• Hearing or speech
• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Fainting
• Collapse
• Epileptic seizure
• Significant rise in blood pressure
• Itching of the whole body
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Severe stomach pain
• Severe depression
• Or you think you could be pregnant

However, not everyone experiences these side effects. In addition, some people may experience other side effects. So, if you have any concerns about a side effect, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

What drugs may interact with Microgynon 30?

This medication may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects. 

To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. 

Drugs with known interactions:

• Rifampicin
• Macrolide antibiotics
• Azole antifungals
• Antivirals
• Boceprevir, telaprevir, ombitasvir
• Phenytoin
• Barbiturates
• Carbamazepine
• Ciclosporin
• Etoricoxib
• Melatonin
• Midazolam
• Theophylline
• Tizanidine
• Antihypertensive agents
• St. John’s wort

If you experience an adverse drug interaction, inform your doctor immediately to reevaluate your treatment plan. Approaches include dose adjustment, drug substitution, or ending therapy.

Does food or alcohol interact with Microgynon 30?

This drug may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Avoid consuming grapefruit products and alcohol while taking this drug. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.

What health conditions may interact with Microgynon 30?

This drug may interact with underlying conditions. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. Therefore, it is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have, especially:

• Breast cancer and estrogen-dependent cancers
• Arterial or venous thrombotic disease
• Actively smoking
• Hypercoagulopathies
• History of blood clots

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. Therefore, you should always consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.

What is the dose for an adult?

First treatment cycle: 

Take one active tablet on the first day of your menstrual cycle. Continue taking one tablet per day until you finish the pack.

Subsequent cycles: 

After the 7-day course of inactive (placebo) tablets, start the next pack of active pills.

Changing from a progestin-only pill (POP, “mini’-pill):

Take the first tablet on your first day of bleeding, even if it means you are taking both pills. You do not need additional forms of contraception. Properly dispose the remaining progestin-only pills.

Postpartum use: 

Start oral contraception 21 days after delivery, as long as there are no contraindications. If you start after 21 days, additional contraceptive methods (e.g. condoms, abstinence) will be required for the first 7 days of tablet taking. For breastfeeding women, do not take combined oral contraception pills until after 6 weeks. Instead, use a progestin-only pill (“mini’-pill’).

What is the dose for a child?

There is no established pediatric dose in children who have not experienced their period yet. It may be unsafe for your child. It is always important to fully understand the safety of the drug before using. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How is Microgynon 30 available?

Levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol is available in the following brands, dosage forms, and strengths:

• Coated tablets (21 active tablets, 7 inactive tablets): each active tablet contains levonorgestrel 150 mcg + ethinylestradiol 30 mcg, inactive tablets.

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of the active tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, take the missed dose and the current dose. If you miss 2 or more doses of the active tablet, you may need other forms of contraception or emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.

Uses

Note: This brand is currently not available in the Philippines. Other brands are available. This information is for educational purposes only.

What is Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol) used for?

Microgynon® 30 is a combined oral contraceptive that contains two active ingredients: ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic version of estrogen and levonorgestrel is a synthetic form of progesterone.

This drug is commonly used for contraception or birth control. It is also prescribed to treat certain conditions such as dysmenorrhea, heavy or prolong menstruation, irregular periods, hormonal acne, and prevent certain cancers.

How should I take Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol)?

Microgynon® 30 is a monophasic pill. This means each tablet has the same dose of hormones in it. You take one tablet every day for 21 days and then have a seven-day break from pill-taking.

During your seven day break, the levels of the hormones in your blood drop, which results in a withdrawal bleed that is similar to your normal period. You start the next pack after the seven pill-free days are up, even if you are still bleeding.

The tablets come in a calendar pack marked with days of the week to help you remember to take a pill every day for three weeks, followed by a week off. You will still be protected against pregnancy in your pill-free week, provided you took all the pills correctly, you start the next packet on time and nothing else happened that could make the pill less effective (e.g., sickness, diarrhea, or taking certain other medicines – see below).

You should try and take your pill at the same time every day; this will help you remember to take it.

Each tablet should be swallowed with a drink. They can be taken either with or without food.

How do I store Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol)?

Microgynon® 30 is best stored at room temperature away from direct light and moisture. To prevent drug damage, you should not store Microgynon® 30 in the bathroom or the freezer. There may be different brands of Microgynon® 30 that may have different storage needs. It is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.

You should not flush Microgynon® 30 down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. It is important to properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before using Mycrogynon® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol)?

This contraceptive pill will not protect you against sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, syphillis, and gonorrhea. Practice safe sex and use condoms as necessary, especially with new partners.

Oral contraceptive pills tend to increase the risk of blood clots and certain cancers.

Because the pill works to alter your natural ovulation, your normal menstrual cycle may change significantly. Your period is likely to become more regular and lighter, with decreased cramping and pain. Some women may skip their period, while others may experience spotting.

Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Microgynon® 30 should not be used during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs during treatment with Microgynon® 30, you should immediately stop taking the rest of the pills.

The use of Microgynon® 30 during lactation may lead to a reduction in the volume of milk produced and to a change in its composition. Minute amounts of the active substances are excreted with the milk. These amounts may affect the child particularly in the first 6 weeks post-partum. Mothers who are breastfeeding may be advised instead to use another method of contraception.

Side effects

What side effects can occur from Mycrogynon® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol)?

Some side effects can occur when using this drug, such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Headache/migraine
• Breast tenderness and enlargement
• Weight changes
• Retention of water in the body tissues (fluid retention)
• Vaginal thrush (candidiasis)
• Change in menstrual bleeding, usually lighter periods or sometimes stopping of periods
• Menstrual spotting or breakthrough bleeding
• Depression
• Decreased sex drive
• Rise in blood pressure
• Skin reactions
• Irregular brown patches on the skin, usually of the face (chloasma)
• Steepening of corneal curvature, which may make contact lenses uncomfortable
• Disturbance in liver function
• Gallstones
• Blood clots in the blood vessels (e.g., DVT, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, stroke – see important information above)

Stop taking this medicine and inform your doctor immediately if you get any of the following symptoms:

• Stabbing pains and/or unusual swelling in one leg
• Pain on breathing or coughing
• Coughing up blood
• Sudden breathlessness
• Sudden severe chest pain
• Migraine or severe headaches
• Sudden disturbance in vision
• Hearing or speech
• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Fainting
• Collapse
• Epileptic seizure
• Significant rise in blood pressure
• Itching of the whole body
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Severe stomach pain
• Severe depression
• Or you think you could be pregnant

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about a side effect, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

What drugs may interact with Mycrogynon® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol)?

Mycrogynon® 30 may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects.

Do not take this drug together with:

• Ombitasvir
• Paritaprevir
• Dasabuvir

To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.

For your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drugs without your doctor’s approval.

Does food or alcohol interact with Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol)?

Mycrogynon ® 30 may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Grapefruit juice can affect the amount of drug that is absorbed and metabolized, which may cause your birth control to be less effective.

Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.

What health conditions may interact with Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol)?

Mycrogynon ® 30 may interact with your health condition. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. It is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have.

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using Mycrogynon® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol).

What is the dose of Mycrogynon® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol) for an adult?

First treatment cycle: 

The recommended dose is one tablet daily for 21 days, starting on the first day of the menstrual cycle. Contraceptive protection begins immediately.

Subsequent cycles: 

Tablet-taking from the next pack of Microgynon ® 30 is continued after a 7-day tablet-free interval, beginning on the same day of the week as the first pack. A withdrawal bleed usually occurs during the tablet-free interval.

Changing from 21-day combined oral contraceptives: 

The first tablet of Microgynon® 30 should be taken on the first day immediately after the end of the previous oral contraceptive course. Additional contraceptive precautions are not required.

Changing from a combined every day pill (28-day tablets):

Microgynon® 30 should be started after taking the last active tablet from the Every Day Pill pack. The first Microgynon® 30 tablet is taken the next day. Additional contraceptive precautions are not then required.

Changing from a progestogen-only pill (POP):

The first tablet of Microgynon® 30 should be taken on the first day of bleeding, even if a POP has already been taken on that day. Additional contraceptive precautions are not then required. The remaining progestogen-only pills should be discarded.

Post-partum and post-abortum use: 

After pregnancy, oral contraception can be started 21 days after a vaginal delivery, provided that the patient is fully ambulant and there are no puerperal complications. Additional contraceptive precautions will be required for the first 7 days of tablet taking. Since the first post-partum ovulation may precede the first bleeding, another method of contraception should be used in the interval between childbirth and the first course of tablets. After a first-trimester abortion, oral contraception may be started immediately in which case no additional contraceptive precautions are required.

What is the dose of Mycrogynon® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol) for a child?

The dosage has not been established in pediatric patients. It should not be used in girls who have not had their first period yet. It is always important to fully understand the safety of the drug before giving it. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How is Mycrogynon ® 30 (Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol) available?

Levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol is available in the following brands, dosage forms, and strengths:

• Microgynon 30 tablets: levonorgestrel 150 mcg + ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
• Femme tablets: 21 yellow tablets each containing levonorgestrel 150 mcg, ethinylestradiol 30 mcg, 7 brown tablets each containing Fe fumarate 75 mg
• Minipil film-coated tablets: levonorgestrel 100 mcg + ethinylestradiol 20 mcg
• Lady tablets: 21 beige tablets each containing Levonorgestrel 150 mcg, ethinyl estradiol 30 mcg, 7 white tablets each containing lactose 40 mg

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a tablet and take the missed tablet within 12 hours of missing it, you should still be protected against pregnancy.

If you are more than 12 hours late follow these detailed instructions:

For Microgynon to be most effective, beige active tablets need to be taken uninterrupted for 7 days.

If you have been taking the beige active tablets for 7 uninterrupted days and miss a beige active tablet, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your pill as you would normally, even if this means taking two tablets in one day, at the same time. You should still be protected against pregnancy.

If you had unprotected sex in the seven days before you missed pills, you may need emergency contraception (the morning after pill). Ask for medical advice.

If you are confused about any of this, you can get individual advice for your circumstances from your doctor, pharmacist or local family planning clinic.