Hana

Other Related Names or Treatments

Cerazette

About Hana

Hana is a progestogen-only mini pill containing desogestrel as its active ingredient. It is used to provide protection against pregnancy. It does not contain an estrogen as would combined contraceptive pills.

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

Key facts of Hana

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

Who is Hana not suitable for?

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

• Are allergic to the active ingredient desogestrel or the 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, liver tumours or any other liver problems
• Have kidney disease
• 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 pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• 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 Hana?

You can buy Hana 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 Hana 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 Hana for contraception

The Hana blister pack contains 28 film coated tablets. Each tablet contains 75 micrograms of desogestrel.

Information about how to take Hana for contraception

Take 1 Hana tablet each day, at the same time every day. Start a new pack of Hana tablets immediately after completing the previous pack. 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 Hana tablet, take the missed pill as soon as you are able to do so, if it has been less than 12 hours. If you do not take the missed pill within 12 hours of the normal time, you will not be protected against pregnancy. You will need to use an extra form of additional contraception such as a condom for the next 48 hours. Read the patient information leaflet or speak to your healthcare provider for further medical advice.

What happens if you take too much Hana?

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 Hana and you experience any of the following side effects.

What are the side effects of Hana?

Side effects of Hana are split into common and serious.

Common side effects include:

• Breast tenderness
• Breast pain
• Weight changes
• Breakthrough bleeding between periods
• Mood changes
• Headache and migraine
• Nausea, stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea
• Vaginal dryness
• Vaginal yeast infection
• High blood pressure
• Hair loss

Serious side effects include:

• Increased risk of blood clots
• Cervical cancer
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Pulmonary embolism

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact your doctor or an urgent care center.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 911.

• 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 FDA MedWatch reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient

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

There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal remedies and Hana. 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 Hana not work for contraception?

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

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

Can Hana taken for contraception be taken long term?

Using medication like Hana 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 Hana?

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

Can women use Hana?

Women can take Hana for contraception, but should speak to a doctor if considering taking Hana while breast-feeding (Hana has not been seen to affect breast milk).

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

You can eat and drink normally when taking Hana.

Alternatives to Hana

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

• Products MHRA Gov
• Which method of contraception suits me? – NHS