Micronor contraceptive tablets

Micronor contraceptive tablets must be taken continuously, at the same time every day, for them to be effective at preventing pregnancy. If you are more than three hours late taking your pill, you will not be protected against pregnancy. If this happens, you should use an extra barrier method of contraception, eg condoms, for the next two days, while continuing with your normal pill taking.

What is it used for?

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- Contraception

Warning!

- The information and advice that we give in this factsheet is likely to conflict with the information you will find in the manufacturer's leaflet provided with your pills. This is particularly the case with regards starting the pill and what to do if you miss a pill. The reason for the differences is because the manufacturer's leaflets are out of date and unfortunately are not likely to be updated in the near future. The information and advice we give in this factsheet are the same as the UK Family Planning Association's recommendations, which are based on systematic reviews of the currently available evidence. If you are concerned or have any questions, you can ask your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or local family planning centre for advice.
- Your pill should be taken at the same time each day. If you forget to take a pill, you should take it as soon as you remember and then take the next one at your normal time. If you are more than three hours late taking a pill, you will not be protected against pregnancy and you should use an extra barrier method of contraception (eg condoms) for the next two days, while you continue to take your pills as normal. If you have unprotected sex in the two days after missing a pill, the Family Planning Association (FPA) recommends that you should take emergency contraception (the morning after pill).
- If you vomit or have severe diarrhoea within two hours of taking a pill, it may not have been fully absorbed into your bloodstream and so may be less effective at preventing pregnancy. You should use extra contraception, eg condoms, during the stomach upset and for two days after you recover, while continuing to take your pills as normal.
- This contraceptive pill will not protect you against sexually transmitted infections, so you may still need to use condoms as well.
- The progesterone only pill can often cause menstrual irregularities, such as irregular bleeding or missed periods. These can be annoying, but tend to settle down after a while. If you have continued problems with irregular bleeding you should talk to your doctor. If you are worried that you could be pregnant because you have not had a period, you should ask your doctor or nurse for advice or do a pregnancy test.

Use with caution in

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- Heart disease
- Cancers dependent on sex hormones for growth
- Women who have previously had an ectopic pregnancy
- History of ovarian cysts
- History of jaundice during a previous pregnancy.

Not to be used in

- Known or suspected pregnancy
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding of unknown cause
- Severe disease of the arteries, eg that has caused a stroke or heart attack
- Current blood clot in a vein of the leg (deep vein thrombosis) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
- Breast cancer or history of this (though this pill may be considered for women who have had no evidence of the disease for five years)
- Active liver disease
- Liver cancer
- History of severe liver disease if liver function has not returned to normal
- Rare hereditary blood disorders called porphyrias.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby.

- This medicine should not be used during pregnancy. If you do get pregnant while using this medicine you should stop using it immediately and consult your doctor.
- Small amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk, however there are no known harmful effects when it is used by breastfeeding mothers. It does not affect the production of breast milk.

Side effects

. Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Changes in menstrual bleeding, eg irregular bleeding or sometimes stopping of bleeding
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Headache/migraine
- Changes in sex drive
- Weight gain
- Breast tenderness
- Skin problems, eg spots
- Depression
- Cysts on the ovaries

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.