Microgynon Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Microgynon Tablet contains levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol and belongs to the combined oral contraceptive pill class. It is a branded combined contraceptive pill taken by mouth, containing oestrogen and progestogen, taken daily to prevent pregnancy. It can also make heavy periods lighter, more regular and less painful, and may help with premenstrual symptoms.

What is Microgynon Tablet

Microgynon is a branded combined contraceptive pill taken by mouth. It contains two hormones, oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progestogen (levonorgestrel), and is taken daily to prevent pregnancy.

Microgynon Tablet uses

• Preventing pregnancy
• Making heavy periods lighter, more regular and less painful
• Helping with premenstrual (PMS) symptoms

Benefits of Microgynon Tablet

• One of the most reliable reversible methods of contraception if used correctly
• Doesn't interrupt sex
• Usually makes periods regular, lighter and less painful
• May help with pre-menstrual symptoms
• May reduce the risk of cancer of the ovary and womb if used long term

How Microgynon Tablet works

Microgynon's hormones stop pregnancy in three ways: by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg, by thickening the mucus in the cervix so sperm find it harder to get through, and by preventing the womb lining from thickening enough for an egg to implant.

Microgynon Tablet dosage

Take one pill every day at the same time each day. Start by taking the pill marked with the correct day of the week, then follow the direction of the arrows on the strip until all pills in the strip are finished. Swallow each pill whole with water if needed; do not chew the pill. After finishing the pills in the strip, take a break of several days before starting the next strip, as directed on the pack. Start the next strip on time even if you are still bleeding. There are no special instructions about food and drink while taking this medicine.

If you are sick (vomit) or have very bad diarrhoea shortly after taking a pill, your body may not have absorbed the hormones properly and you should follow the advice for a missed or lost pill. Missing one pill at any time does not affect your protection from pregnancy, but missing two or more pills or starting a new pack late might.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets (sugar-coated, beige)

Side effects of Microgynon Tablet

Common

• Feeling sick
• Stomach ache
• Weight gain
• Headaches
• Low mood and mood swings
• Sore or painful breasts

Serious

• Blood clot in a leg or foot (deep vein thrombosis)
• Blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism)
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Mini-stroke or temporary stroke-like symptoms (transient ischaemic attack)
• Blood clots in the liver, stomach/intestine, kidneys or eye
• Severe allergic reaction (swelling of hands, face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, or hives with difficulty breathing)
• Signs of breast cancer (dimpling of skin, changes in nipple, lumps)
• Signs of cancer of the cervix (unusual vaginal bleeding, smelly or bloody discharge, pelvic pain, painful sex)
• Signs of severe liver problems (severe upper abdominal pain, yellow skin or eyes, hepatitis, whole body itching)

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use Microgynon if you are pregnant. If you think you might be pregnant, do a pregnancy test to confirm before stopping the pill.
• If you are breastfeeding, your doctor may advise against starting Microgynon until 6 weeks after giving birth, and may suggest an alternative contraceptive.
• Do not take Microgynon if you have ever had a severe liver disease with abnormal liver function test results, or if you have ever had liver tumours.
• Microgynon has no known effect on your ability to drive or use machines.
• Combined hormonal contraceptives like Microgynon slightly increase the risk of a blood clot in the veins and arteries, especially in the first year of use or when restarting after a break of 4 or more weeks.
• This medicine can increase the risk of problems such as blood clots and breast cancer.
• Do not use Microgynon if you have or have ever had a blood clot, a blood clotting disorder, a heart attack, stroke, angina, migraine with aura, certain liver conditions, or if you are allergic to its ingredients.
• Microgynon does not protect against sexually transmitted infections; only condoms can help with that.
• Some medicines, such as certain epilepsy treatments, HIV and hepatitis C medicines, griseofulvin, certain antibiotics, certain sedatives, and St John's Wort, can stop Microgynon from working properly.
• If you are going to have an operation, tell your doctor, as you may need to stop taking the pill at least 4 weeks beforehand to reduce blood clot risk.

Storage

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not use after the expiry date stated on the strip; the expiry date refers to the last day of that month
• Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste; ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer need
• Store below 25°C
• Keep in original packaging
• Protect from heat and moisture

When to see a doctor

• Get urgent medical attention if you notice possible signs of a blood clot, such as swelling, pain or colour change in one leg, sudden breathlessness, chest pain, coughing up blood, severe dizziness, sudden weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, or sudden vision problems.
• Contact a doctor immediately if you have swelling of the face, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing, or hives with difficulty breathing, as these can be signs of a severe allergic reaction or angioedema.
• See a doctor as soon as possible if you notice changes in your breasts such as dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple, or any lumps.
• See a doctor as soon as possible if you get severe stomach pain, or yellow skin or eyes, as you may need to stop taking this medicine.
• Contact your doctor if you experience mood changes or depressive symptoms while taking this medicine.

Alternatives

• Yasmin
• Loestrin
• Femodene