Ovranette
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* Includes Free Private Prescription & Consultation.
† Applies to UK only.


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MEDICAL INFORMATION
Ovranette Key Facts
Other Related Names or Treatments
Microgynon 30 ED, Levest, Rigevidon
About Ovranette
Ovranette is a combined hormonal contraceptive used to provide protection against pregnancy. It contains levonorgestrel, a progesterone and ethinylestradiol, an oestrogen as its active ingredients.
Ovranette 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 Ovranette birth control pills for the prevention of pregnancy only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.
Key facts of Ovranette
- For the prevention of pregnancy
- There is no evidence that the Ovranette pill causes weight gain
- Ovranette has some common side effects which include headache and migraine
- It can be dangerous if you take Ovranette with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
- Ovranette will not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Who is Ovranette not suitable for?
Ovranette may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Ovranette if you:
- Are allergic to the active ingredients levonorgestrel 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 Ovranette?
You can buy Ovranette 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 a prescribing clinician for a contraceptive, you can discuss if Ovranette 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 Ovranette for contraception
Each Ovranette tablet contains 150 micrograms of levonorgestrel and 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol.
Information about how to take Ovranette for contraception
Take 1 Ovranette tablet each day, at the same time for 21 days. After 21 days, you will take a 7 day break from taking Ovranette tablets. You should expect a withdrawal bleed during your pill-free week. Start a new pack of Ovranette 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 Ovranette 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 Ovranette?
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 Ovranette and you experience any of the following side effects.
What are the side effects of Ovranette?
Side effects of Ovranette 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, 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 Ovranette 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 Ovranette. 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 Ovranette not work for contraception?
Ovranette may not work for you and common reasons may be:
- Missed pills
- Taking other medicines that interfere with Ovranette
- Ovranette not being absorbed due to vomiting and diarrhoea
Can Ovranette taken for contraception be taken long term?
Using medication like Ovranette 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 Ovranette?
No. Herbal Ovranette does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.
Can women use Ovranette?
Women can take Ovranette for contraception, but it is not advised when breast-feeding. Speak to your doctor if you are considering taking Ovranette while you are breast-feeding.
Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Ovranette?
You can eat and drink normally when taking Ovranette
Alternatives to Ovranette
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
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Related Articles
FAQs
Answers to Popular Questions About Ovranette
What is Orvanette?
Orvanette is a combined oral contraceptive pill containing levonorgestrel 150 micrograms and ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms. It is a generic equivalent of Microgynon 30, offering the same formulation at a lower cost. Orvanette is one of several generic levonorgestrel/ethinylestradiol pills available on the NHS.
How does Orvanette work?
Orvanette works identically to Microgynon 30 — suppressing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the endometrium. Levonorgestrel-containing pills have the lowest VTE risk among combined oral contraceptives.
What makes Orvanette different from other pills?
Orvanette is bioequivalent to Microgynon 30, Levest, and Rigevidon. Your pharmacy may dispense any of these generics interchangeably. They all contain the same active ingredients and have the same effectiveness and safety profile.
How do I take Orvanette?
Take one Orvanette tablet daily at approximately the same time for 21 consecutive days. Then have a 7-day pill-free break during which a withdrawal bleed usually occurs. Start the next pack after the 7-day break whether or not bleeding has finished. If starting on day 1 of your period, you have immediate contraceptive protection. If starting at any other time, use condoms for the first 7 days. Swallow the tablet whole with water.
What should I do if I miss a Orvanette pill?
Follow the standard FSRH missed pill guidance for combined pills. One pill missed (less than 48 hours late): take it as soon as you remember and continue as normal — no additional contraception needed. Two or more pills missed (more than 48 hours late): take the last missed pill, leave any earlier missed ones, use condoms for 7 days, and follow week-specific guidance. Week 1: consider emergency contraception if unprotected sex occurred. Week 3: skip the pill-free break and start the next pack immediately.
What are the common side effects of Orvanette?
Common side effects of Orvanette include headache, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, breakthrough bleeding or spotting (especially in the first 2–3 months), changes in libido, and weight changes. These usually settle as the body adjusts. If side effects persist beyond 3 months or are significantly affecting your quality of life, speak to your prescriber about trying a different pill formulation.
Who should not take Orvanette?
Orvanette has the same contraindications as all combined oral contraceptive pills. It should not be taken by women with a history of VTE, arterial thrombosis, stroke, or heart attack; uncontrolled hypertension; migraine with aura; smokers aged over 35; breast cancer; severe liver disease; or certain inherited clotting disorders. Your prescriber will assess your eligibility using UKMEC criteria (UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use).
Can I take Orvanette during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No, Orvanette should not be taken if you are pregnant. If you suspect pregnancy, stop the pill and take a pregnancy test. Combined pills are not recommended during breastfeeding in the first 6 weeks after birth, and are generally avoided until 6 months postpartum if fully breastfeeding, as oestrogen may reduce milk supply. Progestogen-only options are preferred while breastfeeding. After stopping the pill, fertility usually returns within 1–3 months.
How can I get Orvanette?
Orvanette is available on NHS prescription from your GP, contraception clinic, or through online services like NowPatient. Your prescriber will check your blood pressure, BMI, and medical history before prescribing. NowPatient offers convenient online contraceptive consultations with qualified UK prescribers and home delivery.
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