Femodette Tablets

What is Femodette and what is it used for?

Femodette is an oral contraceptive. When used correctly, it will provide around 99% protection against pregnancy. The two active ingredients, gestodene and ethinylestradiol, prevent ovulation from occurring during the menstrual cycle.

Femodette is a monophasic combined pill, meaning each pill contains the same dose of gestodene and ethinylestradiol. Femodette contains a slightly lower dose than many other versions of the Pill, so it may be suitable for you if you tend to be more susceptible to side effects.

There are 21 Femodette pills in a pack. Once you have finished a pack, you will stop taking the pill for seven days. During this time you will have a normal bleed. Once seven days have passed, begin your next cycle of treatment.

Contraceptive pills such as Femodette protect you against pregnancy, however, they offer no protection against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). A barrier method such as a condom should be used to protect against any sexually transmitted infections.

How does Femodette work?

Pregnancy occurs when an egg released from the ovaries is fertilised by sperm. In a normal menstrual cycle, the ovaries release one egg each month – this is the process of ovulation. This process is controlled by the female sex hormones progesterone and oestrogen. Femodette contains two synthetic hormones, gestodene and ethinylestradiol, which imitate these two natural hormones. They control the levels of each hormone in such a way that prevents an egg from being released. The Pill also makes it more difficult for sperm to reach the uterus, by thickening the fluid that is in the cervix.

During a regular menstrual cycle, the endometrium (the wall of the uterus) builds up in preparation for a fertilised egg. Femodette reduces the extent of this buildup, making it less likely that a fertilised egg will develop into an embryo. As a further result, periods become lighter.

Alternative to Femodette

At The Independent Pharmacy, we offer a wide range of contraceptives including combined pills, progesterone-only pills, and patches.

Femodette contains the hormones ethinylestradiol and gestodene. Both Sunya and Millinette 20/75 contain the same quantity of these synthetic hormones but are manufactured by different companies. There is currently no generic equivalent to Femodette.

Non-Medicinal Contraception Alternatives

• Female Condoms - Not only do they prevent pregnancy they also prevent STIs. There is currently only one brand available in the UK, called Femidom. Shown to be 95% effective.
• Male Condoms - Prevent pregnancy and also prevent STIs. Shown to be 98% effective.

Source

• Femodette, 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

Femodette warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

Femodette is unsuitable for you if you have:

• An allergy to any of the ingredients of Femodette
• A history of breast cancer
• A blood clotting disorder
• Ever had a blood clot
• A history of heart attack or stroke
• Angina pectoris
• Very high blood pressure
• Severe diabetes
• High levels of lipids in the blood
• Impaired liver function
• Severe migraines

You may be advised not to take Femodette if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Crohn’s disease or chronic inflammatory bowel disease
• Kidney failure
• Sickle-cell anaemia
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Pancreatitis
• Inflammation of veins under the skin
• Varicose veins
• Diabetes
• Porphyria
• A family history of blood clots or circulation problems
• Obesity
• Migraines

If you require any blood test, inform your doctor of which medicines you are taking – Femodette may alter the results of some blood tests.

Femodette and cancer

Do not use Femodette if you have breast cancer, or if you have had it before. Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives may slightly increase your chance of developing breast cancer. Once you have stopped using the Pill for at least 10 years, your risk levels will come back down. Women who are elderly and/or overweight are more vulnerable to breast cancer. Take care using Femodette if a close relative has suffered from breast cancer before. Check your breasts and nipples regularly for any changes or lumps. If you notice anything abnormal, visit your doctor as soon as you can.

Femodette may increase your chance of developing cervical cancer. For this reason, you should have regular smear tests while taking the Pill.

Femodette and blood clots

You may be more susceptible to blood clots while taking Femodette, especially during the first year of use. Talk to your GP before having any operation while taking the Pill. You may need to stop using Femodette in advance of the operation to avoid the increased risk of a blood clot. You are also at a heightened risk of developing a blood clot if you:

• Smoke
• Are obese
• Have a family history of blood clots
• Do not exercise regularly
• Have had a miscarriage in the past
• Have recently given birth

Femodette and other medicines

The following medicines may impact the effectiveness of Femodette:

• Epilepsy medicines (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• HIV medicines
• Hepatitis C medicines
• Some antibiotics
• Barbiturates
• St John’s Wort
• Griseofulvin

Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.

How to take Femodette

Femodette can be prescribed by The Independent Pharmacy to adults over the age of 18 years.

• Femodette tablets are for oral use only.
• Take 1 tablet, at the same time each day, for 21 days. Take your first tablet from the top row, marked with the correct day of the week and follow the directions of the arrows printed on the pack.
• After 21 days, have a 7-day pill-free break, where you should expect to have a withdrawal bleed, like a period.
• Start your new pack, after your 7 days pill-free, on the same day of the week that you started your previous pack.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet carefully before taking Femodette.

Starting Femodette

If you have not used any contraceptive with hormones in the previous month:

Take your first Femodette tablet on day 1 of your period. You will be immediately protected against pregnancy. If you start any day after day 1 of your period you should use additional contraception such as a condom for the next 7 days.

Switching from another combined hormonal contraceptive pill:

Take your first Femodette tablet the day after your last pill from your previous pill packet. Do not have a 7-day pill-free break. If you start Femodette after your 7-day break you will need to use an additional barrier contraceptive such as condoms for 7 days.

Changing from a progestogen-only pill, injection, implant or a progesterone-releasing IUD:

You can switch to Femodette on any convenient day from the progestogen-only pill, or the day of removal of an implant or an IUD and the due date of the injection. In all of these cases, you must use an additional barrier contraceptive such as condoms for 7 days.

After having a baby:

You can start taking Femodette 21 days after having a baby. If you start taking Femodette later than this you must use an additional barrier method of contraception such as condoms for the next 7 days.

Femodette and missed pills

If you forget to take your daily Femodette tablet or you are sick or have diarrhoea within 3-4 hours after taking your tablet, take it as soon as you remember or when you feel better, even if this means taking 2 tablets on the same day.

If you are more than 12 hours late taking your Femodette tablet:

You will not be protected from getting pregnant and should use additional barrier contraception such as a condom for 7 days.

You are at more risk of becoming pregnant if you miss multiple tablets within one packet or if the missed pill is at the start or the end of your packet. If you think you are at risk of being pregnant while taking Femodette you should speak to a doctor for advice as soon as possible.

If you are less than 12 hours late taking your Femodette tablet:

You will be protected from getting pregnant. You will not need to use additional contraception.

Femodette ingredients

The active ingredients contained in Femodette are: 75mcg gestodene, 20mcg ethinylestradiol

Femodette also contains the following inactive ingredients: Lactose, maize starch, povidone, magnesium stearate, sucrose, macrogol 6000, calcium carbonate, talc, montan glycol wax

Femodette side effects

Some women may experience side effects from taking Femodette, these usually improve within the first 3 months. If they do not improve, speak to a pharmacist or doctor for advice.

Common Femodette side effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Tender or enlarged breasts
• Weight fluctuations or fluid retention
• Vaginal thrush
• Spotting or breakthrough bleeding
• Change in mood
• Reduced sex-drive

If you experience severe side effects such as a blood clot or you develop an allergic reaction while taking Femodette you must seek immediate medical attention either by calling 999 or attending your nearest emergency department.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet provided in the pack thoroughly before taking Femodette.