Femodene

Other Related Names or Treatments

Microgynon 30 ED, Levest, Rigevidon

About Femodene

Femodene is a combined contraceptive pill used to provide protection against pregnancy. It contains gestodene, a progesterone and ethinylestradiol, an oestrogen as its active ingredients.

Femodene works by stopping the release of an egg each month from the ovaries, preventing ovulation during the menstrual cycle. It also makes cervical mucus thicker, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix, and makes the lining of the womb thinner, so fertilised eggs are less likely to implant in the uterus wall.

NowPatient offers the Femodene birth control pills for the prevention of pregnancy only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of Femodene

• For the prevention of pregnancy
• There is no evidence that the Femodene pill causes weight gain
• Femodene has some common side effects which include headache and migraine
• It can be dangerous if you take Femodene with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
• Femodene will not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Who is Femodene not suitable for?

Femodene may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Femodene if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredients gestodene or ethinylestradiol, or inactive ingredients such as lactose
• Have ever had a blood clot in the leg or lungs
• Have a family history of heart attacks or stroke
• Have ever had angina or transient ischaemic attack
• Suffer from migraines with aura
• Have a liver disease or any other liver problems
• Have kidney failure
• Have ever had breast cancer or cancer of the cervix, vagina or uterus
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Have suffered from jaundice, pemphigoid gestationis (a rash involving blisters of the hands and feet), or pruritus while pregnant
• Have a family history of breast cancer
• Have diabetes
• Have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Have haemolytic uraemic syndrome, high blood cholesterol, or sickle cell anaemia
• Have epilepsy
• Have systemic lupus erythematosus

How and where to get Femodene?

You can buy Femodene safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.

Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with one of our prescribers for a contraceptive, you can discuss if Femodene is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.

Dosage and strength for Femodene for contraception

Femodene pills contain 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 75 micrograms of gestodene.

Information about how to take Femodene for contraception

Take 1 Femodene tablet each day, at the same time for 21 days. After 21 days, you will take a 7 day break from taking Femodene tablets. You should expect a withdrawal bleed during your pill-free week. Start a new pack of Femodene tablets on day 8. Take your first tablet in order of the day of the week and follow the directions printed on the pack.

If you forget to take a Femodene tablet, take the missed pill as soon as you are able to do so. You will need to use extra precautions such as a condom for the next 7 days. Also, read the patient information leaflet or speak to your healthcare provider if you need further medical advice.

What happens if you take too much Femodene?

If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Femodene and you experience any of the following side effects.

What are the side effects of Femodene?

Side effects of Femodene are split into common and serious.

Common side effects include:

• Breast tenderness
• Breast pain
• Weight changes
• Breakthrough bleeding between periods
• Depressed mood
• Mood swings
• Headache and migraine
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Vaginal discharge
• Vaginal thrush
• High blood pressure
• Hair loss

Serious side effects include:

• Increased risk of blood clots
• Cervical cancer

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.

• Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient

Information about taking Femodene at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements

There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Femodene. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements or other medications such as:

• Epilepsy treatments – phenytoin or carbamazepine
• Rifampicin
• HIV medicines – ritonavir
• Hepatitis C medicines – telaprevir or boceprevir
• Antifungal medicines – ketoconazole or griseofulvin
• St John’s Wort
• Medicines for high blood pressure, chest pain or irregular heartbeats – diltiazem or verapamil

Why might Femodene not work for contraception?

Femodene may not work for you and common reasons may be:

• Missed pills
• Taking other medicines that interfere with Femodene
• Femodene not being absorbed due to vomiting and diarrhoea

Can Femodene taken for contraception be taken long term?

Using medication like Femodene is safe, provided your doctor has approved it. You should speak to your doctor when deciding to stay on hormonal contraception long term.

Is there a herbal Femodene?

No. Herbal Femodene does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.

Can women use Femodene?

Women can take Femodene for contraception, but it is not advised when breast-feeding. Speak to your doctor if you are considering taking Femodene while you are breast-feeding.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Femodene?

You can eat and drink normally when taking Femodene

Alternatives to Femodene

Alternative methods of contraception include:

• Implants
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Oral birth control pills (combined oral contraceptive pill and progestogen only pill)
• Vaginal rings
• Barrier method – condoms, diaphragms
• Tubal ligation and vasectomy
• Emergency contraception

Sources

• Contraception – NHS