Zoely

Other Related Names or Treatments

Microgynon 30 ED, Levest, Rigevidon

About Zoely

Zoely is a combined hormonal contraceptive used to provide protection against pregnancy. It contains nomegestrol acetate, a progesterone and estradiol, an oestrogen as its active ingredients.

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

Key facts of Zoely

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

Who is Zoely not suitable for?

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

• Are allergic to the active ingredients nomegestrol acetate or estradiol, 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, liver tumours 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 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 Zoely?

You can buy Zoely 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 Zoely 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 Zoely for contraception

The Zoely blister pack contains 28 tablets. 24 white tablets with active substances (2.5 mg nomegestrol acetate and 1.5 mg estradiol) and 4 yellow tablets with inactive substances.

Information about how to take Zoely for contraception

You should start Zoely tablets with an active tablet on the first day of your menstrual cycle. Take your tablets in order of the day of the week and follow the directions printed on the pack. You should expect withdrawal bleeding during the 4 days you take the yellow inactive tablets. Start your next blister pack after the last yellow inactive tablet even if your period has not finished.

Read the patient information leaflet provided with your medication or speak to a healthcare professional if you need further information.

What happens if you take too much Zoely?

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 Zoely and you experience any of the following side effects.

What are the side effects of Zoely?

Side effects of Zoely 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 dryness
• 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 Zoely 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 Zoely. 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 Zoely not work for contraception?

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

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

Can Zoely taken for contraception be taken long term?

Using medication like Zoely 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 Zoely?

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

Can women use Zoely?

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

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

You can eat and drink normally when taking Zoely

Alternatives to Zoely

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
• Medicines – Zoely