Index
It is a third generation synthetic progestogen hormonal contraceptive.
It works like an androgenic neutral drug, so its treatment does not cause side effects, such as acne , hirsutism or weight gain.
This medication can prevent the development of endometrial hyperplasia and cause regular bleeding and very similar to menstruation, which will occur every 28 days and with an intensity and duration usually equal to or less than normal menstruation, which lasts from 4 to 6 days .
Chemical formula
- C21H26O2.
Presentation
- Box containing 28 tablets, with indications for daily and continuous use.
Indications
It is a synthetic hormonal contraceptive for oral and systemic use.
These progestational hormones are used in adolescents and adult women of childbearing age as a contraceptive and in menstrual cycle disorders.
It is also used as hormone replacement therapy in the treatment of signs and symptoms that cause estrogen deficiency when associated with menopause , and for the prevention of the postmenopausal onset of osteoporosis .
Mechanism of action
It suppresses the release of gonadotrophins and inhibits ovulation, since it prevents the fertilizable ovum from reaching maturity, increases the viscosity of the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to rise.
Dose
The tablets should be ingested as indicated by the order in the blister and at approximately the same time.
It should start on the first day or two to five days later, that the menstrual cycle of the woman begins, and in case its use is recommended as a contraceptive, another method of contraception should be used as an additional prevention.
You should take only one tablet daily and always at about the same time.
The next blister begins after seven days of rest have elapsed, within which menstruation took place.
Bleeding from menstruation begins on the second or third day after the last tablet has been administered.
In case the patient forgets to take the medication and the delay is greater than 12 hours, contraceptive protection may be compromised.
The guideline that should be followed in case of forgetting the tablets is handled by two basic rules:
- The administration of the tablets should never be suspended for more than 7 days.
- The tablets should be taken continuously to achieve proper suppression of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovarian axis .
Oblivions have a greater impact if they are at the beginning or at the end of the treatment cycle and if it takes little time for treatment.
If vomiting or diarrhea occurs within 4 hours after taking the tablet, absorption may not be complete, and the dose should be repeated.
Side effects
Among the side effects reported in clinical trials are the following:
With more frenquency:
Among these side effects, the most frequent is headache.
In rare cases:
- Headaches, gastric disorders, nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, changes in body weight, changes in libido and depressed moods may occur.
- Individual cases of poor tolerance of contact lenses have been reported with the use of oral contraceptives.
- Contact lens wearers who develop changes in lens tolerance should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist .
- Sometimes a ” stained or heavier” intermenstrual hemorrhage occurs during tablet taking, especially in the first few cycles, and usually ceases spontaneously. Therefore, treatment should be continued even if irregular bleeding occurs.
- Some women may experience amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea after the interruption of oral contraceptives, especially when these conditions existed before their use.
Warnings and contraindications
The use of this medicine is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity to the active ingredients of the drug or to any of the components.
If there are signs or symptoms such as visual changes, proptosis principle or diplopia, papilledema or retinal vascular lesions, treatment with oral contraceptives should be discontinued and the cause should be evaluated immediately.
Increases in blood pressure have been reported in women treated with oral contraceptives.
The increases that occur in blood pressure are reversible, with only interrupting the treatment.
In those women with hypertriglyceridemia , or with a family history, there may be an increased risk of suffering from pancreatitis during the use of oral contraceptives.
Severe malabsorption syndromes may decrease its effectiveness and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease , ulcerative colitis and lupusmay worsen .
The use of gestodene during lactation may lead to a reduction in the volume of milk produced and a change in its composition.
The minimum quantities of active substances are excreted with milk.
Interactions
Oral contraceptive therapies can intervene in the results of some laboratory tests that include biochemical parameters such as:
The liver, thyroid, adrenal and renal function, plasma levels of transport proteins and lipid and lipoprotein fractions, the parameters of carbohydrate metabolism and coagulation parameters and fibrinolysis.
Therefore, laboratory personnel should be informed about the use of oral contraceptives when laboratory tests are requested.
Tell your doctor if you use the following drugs and / or supplements:
- Psychotropic drugs: barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine , felbamate, oxcarbazepine , topiramate , temazepam.
- Antifungals: griseofulvin, itraconazole , ketoconazole, voriconazole and fluconazole .
- Antituberculosos: rifabutina, rifampicina.
- Antiretrovirals: ritonavir, atazanavir, efavirenz, nevirapine.
- Antieméticos: metoclopramida.
- Analgesics: paracetamol, morphine.
- Antiinflamatorios: prednisolona.
- Vitamins: ascorbic acid.
- Immunosuppressants: cyclosporin.
- Antiacneicos: retinoic acid derivatives.
- Thyroid hormone and derivatives.
