Binovum

What is it?

A combined oestrogen/progesterone oral contraceptive preparation produced as a course of 21 tablets: 7 white tablets marked C over 535 contain 0.5mg (500µg) nnorethisterone and 35µg ethinylestradiol; 14 peach tablets, marked C over 135, contain 1mg norethisterone and 35µg ethinylestradiol.

Medical Uses

Oral contraception.

Dosage

1 tablet each day starting with white tablets on first day of period. There are 7 tablet-free days before the process is repeated. Special cure: hypertension, asthma, diabetes, varicose veins, multiple sclerosis, Raynaud's disease, kidney dialysis, chronic kidney disease, obesity, severe depression. Family history of heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease. Risk of arterial thrombosis especially in older women, those who smoke and those who are obese. Regular checks on blood pressure, breasts and pelvic organs should be carried out at intervals.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, history of heart disease or thrombosis, hypertension, sickle cell anaemia, liver disease, cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy, abnormalities of liver function, porphyria, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, some cancers, (hormone-dependent ones), infectious hepatitis, recent trophoblastic disease.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Barbiturates, tetracycline antibiotics, rifwmpicin, griseofulvin, carbamazapine, chloral hydrate, primidone, phenytoin, ethosuximide, glutethimide, dichloralphenazone.

Known Side Effects

Oedema and bloatedness, leg cramps, reduction in sexual desire, headaches, depression, weight gain, vaginal discharge, breakthrough bleeding, cervical erosion, nausea, chloasma (brownish patches on skin).