Brevinor

What is it?

A combined oestrogen/progestogen contraceptive preparation available as blue tablets, marked BX and SEARLE contain 35µg ethinyloestradiol and 0.5mg norethisterone.

Medical Uses

Contraception.

Dosage

1 each day for 21 days starting on 5th day of period, then 7 tablet-free days.

Special Care

Women with asthma, hypertension, Raynaud's disease, haemolytic uraemic syndrome, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, chronic kidney disease, kidney dialysis, Sydenham's chorea, varicose veins, depression, epilepsy, history of cardiac failure, cholelithiasis, migraine, at risk of thrombosis, contact lenses, chloasma. Smoking, age and obesity increase the risk of thrombosis; there is a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. Blood pressure should be monitored and there maybe a need for regular breast and pelvic examination.

Avoid Use

Pregnant women, patients with history of thrombosis or who may be at risk of this, heart disease, sickle cell anaemia, liver diseases, infectious hepatitis, history of cholestatic jaun dice (caused by a failure of bile to reach the small intestine), porphyria, chorea, ostosclerosis, haemolytic uraemic syndrome, hormone-dependent cancers, recent trophoblastic disease, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Tetracycline antibiotics, ampicillin barbiturates, chloral hydrate, griseofulvin, rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, dichloralphenazone, ethosuximide, glutethimide, phenylbutazone, St John's Wort.

Known Side Effects

Oedema and bloatedness, leg cramps, enlargement of breasts, loss of libido, headaches, nausea, depression, weight gain, breakthrough bleeding, cervical erosion, vaginal discharge, brownish patches on skin (chloasma). Discontinue immediately if any of the following occur: pregnancy, rise in blood pressure, disturbance of vision, new occurrence of severe or migraine-type headaches, signs or symptoms of thromboembolism or thrombophlebitis, serious depression, severe pains in upper abdomen, enlargement of liver, jaundice. Discontinue 6 weeks before planned surgery and do not retake until fully mobile