Eloine Tablets

What is Eloine and what is it used for?

Eloine is a combined contraceptive containing low doses of the two ingredients Ethinylestradiol (an oestrogen hormone) and Drospirenone (a progestogen hormone). Each tablet contains less oestrogen than the typical combined pill, reducing the risk of some of the hormones' potential side effects, including bloating, nausea and headaches while continuing to offer around 99% protection against pregnancy. Eloine can also help to improve breakouts and reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Each pack contains 24 light pink tablets of oestrogen and progesterone and four white dummy tablets that contain no active ingredients. These tablets are manufactured by Bayer and are available on prescription to women who are over 18 years old.

Like all hormonal contraception, Eloine will not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STI). It is recommended that you continue to use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom while using the contraceptive pill. You should also remember to get tested for STI's regularly regardless of how many sexual partners you have had. If you want to find out where you can access sexual health advice and testing why not check out the NHS Service Finder page.

How does Eloine work?

Eloine contains two ingredients that imitate the action of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone. When taken as directed each pill contains just enough of these hormones to make the body think it has already ovulated, which then prevents natural ovulation from occurring each month. It also increases the amount of mucus surrounding the womb, making it thicker and therefore harder for sperm to complete its journey and fertilize the egg.

Benefits of Eloine

• Eloine can be easier to use than other contraceptive pills as it is taken every day for four weeks without any break.
• Eloine contains a lower dose of the hormone oestrogen than other combined contraceptive pills, which helps to reduce some of the unwanted side effects that can be caused by taking the pill.

It is important to note that lower dosage pills, such as Eloine, however, can increase the risk of irregular bleeding relative to the standard combined pill. Low dose pills are generally used by older women; however, it is okay for women of all ages to use them.

Alternatives to Eloine

Eloine contraceptive pill contains a low dose of the female sex hormone oestrogen. There are other combined pills available that also contain a lower dose of oestrogen that is combined with a different type of progesterone, these include; Gedarel 20/150 and Millinette 20/75. These pills have similar benefits to Eloine.

For full details on available contraceptive options please take a look at our Advice for Contraception page. If you want more information to help you decide what contraception might be best for you might find our Guide to Female Contraception useful.

Sources

• Eloine, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/combined-contraceptive-pill/
• https://patient.info/medicine/combined-hormonal-contraceptives
• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatm...

Eloine Warnings

Before taking eloine it is important that you carefully read the following warnings to make sure it is the right contraception for you.

Eloine should not be taken if you:

• Currently or have ever had deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in your leg)
• Have ever had a blood clot in your lungs or other organs
• Suffer from a blood clotting disorder
• Have just had an operation
• Have ever suffered from a heart attack or a stroke
• Have ever had angina pectoris or a transient ischaemic attack
• Eloine should not be taken if you are allergic to any of the ingredients
  

Before taking eloine you should consult with your doctor if:

• One of your relatives has ever had breast cancer
• You have ever had liver or gallbladder disease
• You have diabetes
• You have depression
• You have Crohn’s disease
• You have ulcerative colitis
• You have systemic lupus erythematosus
• You have haemolytic uraemic syndrome
• You have sickle cell anaemia
• You have high levels of fat in the blood (hypertriglyceridaemia) or a history of this condition in the family
• You need an operation
• You have just given birth
• You have varicose veins
• You have epilepsy
• You have had any disease related to sex hormones

Eloine and blood blots

Taking Eloine can increase the risk of your arteries clotting if you are currently suffering from any of the following diseases:

• Blood vessel damage associated with severe diabetes
• Very high blood pressure
• High levels of fat in the blood (cholesterol or triglycerides)
• Hyperhomocysteinaemia
• Migraine with aura
• Liver disease or a liver that is not functioning normally
• Tumours in the liver
• Renal failure (chronic kidney disease)
• If you have or have ever had breast or genital cancer
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding

Combined hormonal pills have also been linked with an increased risk of blood clots; however, this is a rare occurrence. If you do develop a blood clot, it will usually be in the first year of taking the pill. A few weeks after you have finished taking Eloine, your chance of blood clotting will return to its previous levels.

Your risk of blood clotting is higher if:

• You are overweight
• Someone in your family has had a blood clot at a relatively young age (under 50)
• You need to have a surgical operation
• You have been off your feet for a long time (inactivity)
• Your leg is in a cast
• You are over the age of 35
• Recently gave birth (within the last month)

Eloine and breast cancer

For women using the combined pill, the chance of breast cancer slightly increases. However, it is not known whether this is caused by the treatment or simply because women on the pill are more likely to visit the doctor and receive a checkup. You should check your breasts for lumps regularly and speak to your doctor if you notice anything unusual.

Eloine and irregular bleeding

It is possible to experience irregular bleeding outside of the placebo pill days. If this happens for more than three months, or if it starts after you have been taking Eloine for more than three months, speak to your doctor.

It is possible that no bleeding will occur during the placebo days. If this happens, and you are sure that you have taken all of your pills correctly, then it is incredibly unlikely that you will become pregnant.

If you do not bleed for two months in a row then you may be pregnant. Contact your doctor straight away and only begin to take the next course of pills if you know that you aren’t pregnant.

Eloine and other medications

Some medications can make eloine less effective and cause unexpected bleeding, these include:

• Epilepsy medication (primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine)
• Tuberculosis medication (rifampicin)
• Medication for HIV or hepatitis C (protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
• Treatment for fungal infections such as griseofulvin and ketoconazole
• Arthritis and arthrosis medication (etoricoxib)
• High blood pressure medication

Please ensure that you have read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before taking Eloine.

How to take Eloine

Eloine can be prescribed for, and taken by women over the age of 18 years old to protect them from pregnancy. Eloine tablets are for oral use only and should be taken as directed in the Patient Information Leaflet.

There are two kinds of pills contained in each course of Eloine: 24 pink and 4 white. The white ones are inactive and contain nothing that will affect your body, these are known as placebos.

• The pink tablets contain active ingredients, and 1 tablet should be taken every day for 24 days starting on the day that correlates with the correct day labelled on the pack.
• After that, 1 white placebo tablet should be taken every day for 4 days.

Starting Eloine

If you have not used hormonal contraception in the past month

Take your first Eloine tablet on day 1 of your period and you will be protected from becoming pregnant straight away.

You can also start taking Eloine on day 2-5 of your period but you will need to use a barrier method of protection such as a condom for the next 7 days to protect you from getting pregnant.

If you are switching from a combined contraceptive pill

Take your first Eloine tablet on the day after the last active tablet of your previous pill. Do not have a pill-free 7 days. If you have previously been using a combined contraceptive patch or ring, speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice on the best way to switch to Eloine.

If you are changing from a progesterone-only pill, injection, implant or IUD

Take your first Eloine pill on whatever day is convenient for you when switching from the pill. For the injection take your first tablet the day your next injection is due. For the implant and IUD take your first Eloine tablet the day these are removed.

You will need to use a barrier method of protection such as a condom for the first 7 days to avoid getting pregnant.

If you are starting Eloine after having a baby

Take your first Eloine tablet between days 21-28 after giving birth. If you start taking Eloine after day 28 you will need to use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom for the first 7 days.

You should not take Eloine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should discuss your contraceptive options with your doctor.

Eloine missed pills

If you have forgotten to take your Eloine tablet or have vomiting or diarrhoea up to 4 hours after taking your pill:

Take the late pill as soon as you remember or you feel well enough within 24 hours of taking your pill on the previous day. You will still be protected against getting pregnant.

If you have forgotten to take your Eloine tablet or have vomiting or diarrhoea up to 4 hours after taking your pill and you are unable to take the pill for over 24 hours since your last pill:

Take the missed pill as soon as you remember or you feel well enough. You will need to use an additional method of contraception such as a condom for the next 7 days.

Eloine Ingredients

There are two active ingredients contained in Eloine tablets:

• Ethinylestradiol 0.02mg
• Drospirenone 3mg

There are also several inactive ingredients contained in Eloine tablets:

• Titanium dioxide (E171)
• Iron oxide red (E172)
• Hypromellose (E464)
• Magnesium stearate (E470b)
• Talc (E553b)
• Lactose monohydrate
• Maize starch

Eloine side effects

The most common side effects of Eloine affect between roughly 1 and 10 people out of every 100. If you experience them they can include:

• Nausea
• Mood swings
• Headache
• Breast pain
• Irregular periods
• Absence of periods

If you have any concerns about any of the information listed above then you should consult with your doctor or pharmacist.