Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED

Levonorgestrel, ethinylestradiol.

Microgynon 30: Each Microgynon 30 beige active tablet contains: 0.03 mg of ethinylestradiol; 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel.
Microgynon 30 tablets are beige and round. Each blister pack contains 21 beige active tablets.
Microgynon 30 ED: Each Microgynon 30 ED beige active tablet contains: 0.03 mg of ethinylestradiol; 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel.
Each blister pack contains 21 beige active tablets and 7 white inactive tablets. The blister pack is marked with days of the week next to each tablet.
Excipients/Inactive Ingredients: Microgynon 30: Each beige active tablet also contains: lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maize starch, povidone 25, talc, calcium carbonate, ferric oxide yellow, glycerol 85%, glycol montanate, macrogol 6000, povidone 90, sucrose, titanium dioxide.
Microgynon 30 ED: Inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maize starch, povidone 25, talc, calcium carbonate, ferric oxide yellow, glycerol 85%, glycol montanate, macrogol 6000, povidone 90, sucrose, titanium dioxide.
Each white inactive tablet contains: lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone 25, talc, magnesium stearate, sucrose, povidone 90, macrogol 6000, calcium carbonate, glycol montanate.

Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED is a combined oral contraceptive, commonly known as a 'birth control pill' or 'the Pill'.
When taken correctly, Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED prevents the patient from becoming pregnant in several ways, including: inhibiting ovulation (egg release); changing the cervical mucus consistency, making it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg; changing the lining of the uterus, making it less suitable for implantation.
When the Pill is taken by women under close observation in clinical trials, it is more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, in real life the Pill is around 92% effective. This is because pills might have been missed, may have been taken with medicines that interfere with their effectiveness, or may not be absorbed due to vomiting or diarrhoea.

Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED is used to prevent pregnancy.
Like all oral contraceptives, Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED is intended to prevent pregnancy. It does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections.
Ask the doctor if there are any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed.
The doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.

Follow all directions given by the doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this monograph.
If the instructions on the pack are not understood, ask the doctor or pharmacist for help.
How to take it: Take one tablet daily at about the same time every day. The patient must take Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED every day regardless of how often she has sex. This will also help the patient remember when to take it.
Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. It does not matter if the patient takes it before or after food.
Microgynon 30: Each blister pack is marked with the day of the week. Take the first tablet on the blister pack corresponding to the day of the week.
Follow the direction of the arrows on the blister pack until all 21 active tablets have been taken. During the next 7 days take no tablets. A period should begin during these 7 days (the withdrawal bleed). Usually it will start on 2 to 3 days after the last Microgynon 30 tablet was taken.
Start taking the next pack on the 8^th day even if the period continues. This means the patient will always start new packs on the same day of the week, and also that the patient has her withdrawal bleed on about the same days, each month.
Always start a new blister pack on the same day of the week as the previous pack.
Microgynon 30 ED: Each blister pack is marked with the day of the week. Take the first tablet from the red area on the blister pack corresponding to the day of the week.
Follow the direction of the arrows on the blister pack until all the tablets have been taken.
A period should begin 2 to 3 days after starting to take the white inactive tablets (last row) and may not have finished before the next pack is started.
Always start a new blister pack on the same day of the week as the previous pack.
Taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED for the first time: The doctor will advise the patient when to start if she: is taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED after having a baby; has had a miscarriage or an abortion.
If starting Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED after a natural cycle, and have not used a hormonal contraceptive in the past month, start on the first day of the period, i.e. the first day of the menstrual bleeding.
Microgynon 30: Take a tablet marked with that day of the week. For example, if the period starts on Friday, then take a tablet marked Friday. Then follow the days in order. Microgynon 30 will work immediately, it is not necessary to use an additional contraceptive method.
The patient may also start on days 2-5 of the period, but in that case make sure that she also uses additional barrier contraceptive precautions (e.g. condoms or a cap or diaphragm with spermicide) for the first 7 days of tablet-taking when having intercourse.
Microgynon 30 ED: The patient must also use additional barrier contraceptive precautions (e.g. condoms or a cap or diaphragm with spermicide) for the first 14 days of tablet-taking when having intercourse.
Changing from another contraceptive: Changing from a combined oral contraceptive: Start taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED on the day after taking the last active tablet in the previous Pill pack. Bleeding may not occur until the end of the first pack of Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED.
If not sure which were the active/inactive tablets in the previous Pill pack, ask the doctor or pharmacist.
The previous Pill pack may have different colour tablets to those of Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED.
Changing from a vaginal ring: Start taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED on the day of removal of the ring but at the latest when the next application would have been due.
Changing from a progestogen-only pill ('minipill'): Stop taking the minipill on any day and start taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED at the same time the day after the last minipill.
Microgynon 30: The patient must also use additional barrier contraceptive precautions (e.g. condoms or a diaphragm) for the first 7 days of tablet-taking when having intercourse.
Microgynon 30 ED: The patient must also use additional barrier contraceptive precautions (e.g. condoms or a diaphragm) for the first 14 days of tablet-taking when having intercourse.
Changing from a progestogen-only injection, implant or intrauterine system (IUS): Start taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED when the next injection is due, or on the day that the implant or IUS is removed.
Microgynon 30: The patient must also use additional barrier contraceptive precautions (e.g. condoms or a diaphragm) for the first 7 days of tablet-taking when having intercourse.
Microgynon 30 ED: The patient must also use additional barrier contraceptive precautions (e.g. condoms or a diaphragm) for the first 14 days of tablet-taking when having intercourse.
Stopping Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED: The patient can stop taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED at any time.
If the patient is considering becoming pregnant, it is recommended that she begins taking a vitamin supplement containing folic acid. It is best that the patient starts taking folic acid tablets before she stops taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED and not stop until the doctor advises this. Ask the doctor or pharmacist about suitable supplements. It is both safe and recommended that the patient takes folic acid during pregnancy.
Additional contraceptive precautions: When additional contraceptive precautions are required the patient should either abstain from sex, or use a barrier method of contraception, a cap (or diaphragm) plus spermicide, or a condom. Rhythm methods are not advised as the Pill disrupts the cyclical changes associated with the natural menstrual cycle e.g. changes in temperature and cervical mucus.
If the patient forgets to take Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED: If the patient misses a tablet and takes the missing tablet within 12 hours of missing it, she should still be protected against pregnancy.
If more than 12 hours late, follow these detailed instructions: For Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED to be most effective, beige active tablets need to be taken uninterrupted for 7 days.
If the patient has been taking the beige active tablets for 7 uninterrupted days and misses a beige active tablet, take the missed tablet as soon as remembered, then go back to taking the Pill normally, even if this means taking two tablets in one day, at the same time.
The patient should still be protected against pregnancy.
The chance of pregnancy after missing a beige active tablet depends on when the patient missed the tablet.
There is a higher risk of becoming pregnant if the patient misses a tablet at the beginning or end of a pack.
If the patient has been taking the beige active tablets for less than 7 days and misses a beige active tablet, take the missed tablet as soon as remembered, then go back to taking the Pill normally, even if this means taking two tablets in one day, at the same time. In addition, the patient must also use additional barrier contraceptive precautions (e.g. condoms or a diaphragm) for the next 7 days.
If the patient has had sexual intercourse in the preceding 7 days, there is a possibility of pregnancy and she may need emergency contraception. The patient should discuss this with the doctor or pharmacist.
If the patient forgets to take more than one beige active tablet, seek advice from the doctor or pharmacist about what to do.
If the patient has had sexual intercourse in the week before missing the tablets, there is a possibility of becoming pregnant.
Ask the doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions.
Microgynon 30: If after taking the missed tablet the patient has less than 7 days of beige active tablets left in a row, she should finish the beige active tablets in the pack but do not have a 7 day break.
Start taking the beige active tablets in the next pack corresponding to the correct day of the week straight away.
This is the best way to maintain contraceptive protection. However, the patient may not have a period until the end of the beige active tablets of the second pack. The patient may have spotting or breakthrough bleeding on tablet-taking days.
See Table 1.

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

Microgynon 30 ED: If after taking the missed tablet the patient has less than 7 days of beige active tablets left in a row, she should finish the active tablets in the pack but skip the white inactive tablets.
Start taking the beige active tablets in the next pack corresponding to the correct day of the week.
This is the best way to maintain contraceptive protection. However, the patient may not have a period until the end of the beige active tablets of the second pack. The patient may have spotting or breakthrough bleeding on tablet-taking days.
If the patient misses a large white inactive tablet, she does not need to take them later because they do not contain any active ingredients. However, it is important that the patient discards the missed white tablet(s) to make sure that the number of days between taking active tablets is not increased as this would increase the risk of pregnancy. Continue with the next tablet at the usual time.
See Table 2.

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

Immediately telephone the doctor for advice if the patient thinks that she or anyone else may have taken too much Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
The patient may need urgent medical attention.

Do not take this medicine if pregnant or might be pregnant.
Do not give this medicine to a child.
Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED is not intended for use in females whose periods have not yet started.
Do not take this medicine if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If not sure whether to start taking this medicine, talk to the doctor.
If any of the following conditions appear for the first time while using the Pill, stop taking it at once and tell the doctor. In the meantime, use non-hormonal (barrier) methods of contraception (such as condoms or a diaphragm).
Do not take Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED if there is an allergy to: ethinylestradiol and/or levonorgestrel (the active ingredients in Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED); any of the ingredients listed in Description.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include: shortness of breath; wheezing or difficulty in breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Do not take Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED if there is or there has been a blood clot in: the blood vessels of the legs (deep vein thrombosis - DVT); the lungs (pulmonary embolism - PE); the heart (heart attack); the brain (stroke); other parts of the body.
Do not take Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED if there is or concerned about an increased risk of blood clots: Blood clots are rare. Very occasionally blood clots may cause serious permanent disabilities, or may even be fatal.
The patient is more at risk of having a blood clot when taking the Pill. However, the risk of having a blood clot when taking the Pill is less than the risk of having a blood clot during pregnancy.
Do not take Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED if concerned about an increased risk of blood clots because of age or smoking: The risk of having a heart attack or stroke increases as the patient gets older. It also increases if the patient smokes. The patient should stop smoking when taking the Pill, especially if older than 35 years of age.
Do not take Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED if taking any antiviral medicines which contain ombitasvir, paritaprevir and/or dasabuvir: These antiviral medicines are used to treat chronic (long-term) hepatitis C (an infectious disease that affects the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV)).
Do not take Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED if there is, or there has been: Any blood clotting disorders such as Protein C deficiency, Protein S deficiency, Leiden Factor V mutation, Antithrombin III deficiency or other inherited blood clotting conditions.
A confirmed blood test showing: increased levels of homocysteine; antiphospholipid antibodies (APLAs) e.g. anticardiolipin-antibodies and lupus anticoagulant. These may increase the risk for blood clots or pregnancy losses (miscarriage).
Major surgery after which the patient has not been able to move around for a period of time.
Angina (chest pain).
A mini-stroke (also known as TIA or transient ischaemic attack).
Migraine, where the patient has also had problems with seeing, speaking or had weakness or numbness in any part of the body.
High risk of blood clots due to conditions such as diabetes with blood vessel damage, severe high blood pressure or severe high or low level of fats in the blood.
Pancreatitis (an inflammation of the pancreas) associated with high levels of fatty substances in the blood.
Severe liver disease and liver function has not returned to normal.
Cancer that may grow under the influence of sex hormones (e.g. of the breast or the genital organs).
A benign or malignant liver tumour.
Unexplained vaginal bleeding.

If the doctor has not been told about any of the following, tell him/her before starting taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED.
Tell the doctor if there are allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED contains lactose. If there is an intolerance to some sugars, tell the doctor before starting taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED.
Tell the doctor if: the patient smokes; the patient or anyone in the immediate family has had blood clots in the legs (DVT), or lungs (PE), a heart attack, a stroke, breast cancer or high cholesterol.
Tell the doctor if the patient has, or had any of the following medical conditions: diabetes; high blood pressure; heart valve disorders or certain heart rhythm disorders; migraine; cancer; hyperhomocysteinaemia, a condition characterised by high levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood; high or low level of fats in the blood.
Ask the doctor to check if the patient: is overweight; has any hereditary or acquired conditions that may make it more likely to get blood clots; has high cholesterol or triglycerides; has liver disease; has gall bladder disease; has jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and/or pruritus (itching of the skin) related to cholestasis (condition in which the flow of bile from the liver stops or slows); has Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (chronic inflammatory bowel disease); has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE - a disease affecting the skin all over the body); has haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS - a disorder of blood coagulation causing failure of the kidneys); has sickle cell disease; has a condition that occurred for the first time, or worsened during pregnancy or previous use of sex hormones (e.g. hearing loss, a metabolic disease called porphyria, a skin disease called herpes gestationis, a neurological disease called Sydenham's chorea); has chloasma (yellowish-brown pigmentation patches on the skin, particularly of the face) - if so, avoid exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation; has hereditary angio-oedema - the patient should see the doctor immediately if experiencing symptoms of angio-oedema, such as swollen face, tongue and/or pharynx and/or difficulty swallowing, or hives together with difficulty in breathing.
If any of the previously mentioned conditions appear for the first time, recur or worsen while taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED, the patient should tell the doctor.
Things the patient must do: Tell any doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat the patient that she is taking this medicine.
If about to have any blood tests, tell the doctor that this medicine is being taken.
It may interfere with the results of some tests.
Have regular check-ups with the doctor.
When the patient is taking the Pill, the doctor will tell to return for regular check-ups, including getting a Cervical Screening Test. The doctor will advise how often the patient needs a Cervical Screening Test. A Cervical Screening Test can detect abnormal cells lining the cervix. Sometimes abnormal cells can progress to cancer.
If about to start on any new medicine, remind the doctor and pharmacist that Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED is being taken.
Stop taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED and see the doctor immediately if the following signs are noticed: One-sided swelling of the leg and/or foot or along a vein in the leg; Pain or tenderness in the leg which may be felt only when standing or walking; Increased warmth in the affected leg, red or discoloured skin on the leg; Sudden onset of unexplained shortness of breath or rapid breathing; Sudden coughing or coughing up of blood; Sharp chest pain or sudden severe pain in the chest which may increase with deep breathing; Severe light headedness or dizziness; Rapid or irregular heartbeat; Sudden pain, swelling and slight blue discoloration of an extremity; Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; Sudden confusion, slurred speech or aphasia, sudden partial or complete loss of vision, double vision, painless blurring of vision which can progress to loss of vision; Sudden, severe, or prolonged headache with no known cause; Loss of consciousness or fainting with or without seizure; Pain, discomfort, pressure, heaviness, sensation of squeezing or fullness in the chest arm, or below the breastbone; Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, arm, stomach; Feeling of being full, having indigestion or choking; Sweating, nausea, vomiting; Extreme weakness and anxiety.
If the patient is going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist beforehand that Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED is being taken.
The risk of having blood clots is temporarily increased as a result of major surgery, any surgery to the legs or pelvis, neurosurgery or major trauma. In women who take Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED, the risk may be higher.
In women at risk of prolonged immobilisation (including major surgery, any surgery to the legs or pelvis, neurosurgery, or major trauma), the doctor may tell her to stop taking (in the case of elective surgery at least four weeks in advance) and not resume until two weeks after complete remobilisation.
Another method of contraception should be used to avoid unintentional pregnancy. The doctor may prescribe other treatment (e.g. treatment for blood clots) if Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED has not been discontinued in advance.
Other risk factors for blood clotting include temporary immobilisation including air travel of greater than 4 hours, particularly in women with other risk factors.
Consult the doctor if planning to air travel for greater than 4 hours.
Consult the doctor if high blood pressure is developed while taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED - the patient may be told to stop taking it.
If the patient vomits within 3 to 4 hours, or has severe diarrhoea after taking a beige active tablet, the active ingredients may not have been completely absorbed. This is like missing a tablet. Follow the advice for missed tablets.
If having unexpected bleeding and it continues, becomes heavy, or occurs again, tell the doctor.
When taking this Pill for the first few months, the patient can have irregular vaginal bleeding (spotting or breakthrough bleeding) between periods. The patient may need to use sanitary products, but continue to take the tablets as normal. Irregular vaginal bleeding usually stops once the body has adjusted to the Pill, usually after about 3 months.
If the patient has missed a period, but she has taken all tablets, it is unlikely that she is pregnant, as long as: She has taken the beige active tablets at the right time; She has not been taking a medicine(s) that may interfere with the pill; She has not vomited or had severe diarrhoea during this cycle.
If this is so, continue to take Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED as usual. If having any concerns, consult the doctor or pharmacist.
If the patient misses her period twice in a row, she may be pregnant, even if she has taken the Pill correctly. Stop taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED and seek advice from the doctor. The patient must use a non-hormonal method of contraception, (such as condoms or a diaphragm) until the doctor rules out pregnancy.
Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED will not protect the patient from HIV-AIDS or any other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B, human papilloma virus and syphilis.
To protect the patient from STIs, she will need to use additional barrier contraceptives (e.g. condoms).
Things the patient must not do: Do not take Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED to treat any other conditions, unless the doctor tells to.
Do not give the medicine to anyone else.
Do not stop taking the medicine or change the dosage without checking with the doctor.
The patient may become pregnant if she is not using any other contraceptive and she stops taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED, or does not take a tablet every day.

Pregnancy: If the patient becomes pregnant while taking this medicine, tell the doctor immediately.
Lactation: Tell the doctor if breastfeeding.
Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED is generally not recommended if breastfeeding.

Tell the doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if not feeling well while taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED.
This Pill helps most women, but it may have unwanted side effects in some women.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. The patient may need medical attention if she gets some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. The patient may not experience any of them.
Ask the doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions the patient may have.
The following list includes the more common side effects of the Pill. These are usually mild and lessen with time.
If any of the following side effects is noticed and they are worrying, tell the doctor or pharmacist: acne; nausea; stomach pain; changes in weight; headache, including migraines; mood changes, including depression; breast tenderness or pain; hair loss or hair growth.
The following list includes very serious but rare side effects. The patient may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
If any of the following is experienced, tell the doctor immediately, or go to the Accident and Emergency Department at the nearest hospital: jaundice (yellowing skin or yellowing eyes); coughing up blood; breast lumps; unexplained vaginal bleeding. The following side effects listed are possible signs of a blood clot (thrombosis): pain in the chest, arm or below the breastbone; pain or discomfort that goes to the back; breathlessness and/or difficulty breathing; swelling, pain or tenderness of one leg; sudden weakness, numbness or bad 'pins and needles of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; severe, sudden stomach pains; a fainting attack or collapse; unusual headaches or migraines that are worse than usual; sudden problems with speaking, seeing or understanding what people are saying.
Tell the doctor or pharmacist if the patient notices anything else that is making her feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed previously may also occur in some people.
Blood clots and the Pill: Blood clots may block blood vessels in the body. This type of blood clot is also called thrombosis.
Blood clots sometimes occur in the deep veins of the legs. If a blood clot breaks away from the veins where it has formed, it may reach and block the blood vessels of the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism.
Blood clots can also occur in the blood vessels of the heart (causing a heart attack) or the brain (causing a stroke).
Blood clots are a rare occurrence and can develop whether or not the patient is taking the Pill. They can also happen during pregnancy. The risk of having blood clots is higher in Pill users than in non-users, but not as high as during pregnancy.
The risk of a blood clot is highest during the first year of taking the Pill for the first time, or after having a break from the Pill for 4 weeks or more.
If noticing possible signs of a blood clot, stop taking Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED and consult the doctor immediately. To prevent pregnancy, the patient must also use additional barrier contraceptive precautions (e.g. condoms or a diaphragm).
If concerned about an increased risk of blood clots while on Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED, speak to the doctor.
Cancer and the Pill: Breast cancer has been diagnosed slightly more often in women who take the Pill than in women of the same age who do not take the Pill.
This slight increase in the numbers of breast cancer diagnoses gradually disappears during the course of the 10 years after women stop taking the Pill.
It is not known whether the difference is caused by the Pill. It may be that these women were examined more often, so that the breast cancer was noticed earlier.
It is important that the patient checks her breasts regularly and contacts the doctor if she feels any lumps.
In rare cases benign liver tumours and, even more rarely, malignant liver tumours have been reported in users of the Pill. These tumours may lead to internal bleeding.
Contact the doctor immediately if having severe pain in the abdomen.
Cervical cancer has been reported to occur more often in women who have been taking the Pill for a long time. This finding may not be caused by the Pill, but may be related to sexual behaviour and other factors.

Interactions can occur with drugs that induce microsomal enzymes (especially cytochrome P450 3A4) which can result in increased clearance of sex hormones and which may lead to breakthrough bleeding and/or contraceptive failure.
Women on short term treatment with any of these medicinal products should temporarily use a barrier method or another method of contraception. The barrier method must be used throughout the entire period whilst these medicines are being used and for up to 28 days after discontinuation of treatment. If the period during which the barrier method is used runs beyond the end of the tablets in the COC pack, tablet-taking from the next COC blister should be commenced immediately without the usual tablet-free interval.
In women on long-term treatment with enzyme inducers, another reliable, non-hormonal, method of contraception is recommended.
Tell the doctor or pharmacist if the patient is taking any other medicines, including any that the patient gets without a prescription from the pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED may interfere with each other. These include: medicines used to treat tuberculosis such as rifampicin, rifabutin; a class of antibiotics known as macrolides, such as clarithromycin, erythromycin; medicines used to treat fungal infections, such as ketoconazole and griseofulvin; medicines used to treat HIV, such as ritonavir or nevirapine; some medicines used to treat HCV, such as boceprevir, telaprevir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, dasabuvir; medicines used to treat epilepsy such as phenytoin, primidone, barbiturates (e.g. phenobarbitone), carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate, lamotrigine; cyclosporin, an immunosuppressant medicine; etoricoxib, a medicine used to treat painful joint disease; melatonin, a hormone used as a sleep aid; midazolam, a medicine used as a sedative; theophylline, a medicine used to treat respiratory disease; tizanidine, a medicine used as a muscle relaxant; some medicines used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain or irregular heartbeats such as diltiazem, verapamil; herbal medicines containing St John's Wort; grapefruit juice.
These medicines may be affected by Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED, or may affect how well it works. The doctor may need to alter the dose of the medicine, or prescribe a different medicine.
The patient may need to use additional barrier methods of contraception (such as condoms or a diaphragm) while taking any of these medicines with Microgynon 30/Microgynon 30 ED and for some time after stopping them.
The doctor will be able to tell how long the patient will need to use additional contraceptive methods.
The doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines that the patient needs to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.

Keep the tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.
If the tablets are taken out of the pack they may not keep well.
Keep the tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Do not store the tablets or any other medicine in the bathroom, near a sink, or on a window-sill.
Do not leave medication in the car.
Heat and damp can destroy some medicines.

Oral Contraceptives

G03AA07 - levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol ; Belongs to the class of progestogens and estrogens in fixed combinations. Used as systemic contraceptives.

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