Trinovum

What is it?

A combined oestrogen/progestogen hormonal preparation available as 7 white tablets, marked C535, containing 35µg of ethinyloestradiol and 0.5mg of norethisterone; 7 light orange tablets, marked C735, containing 35µg of ethinyloestradiol and 0.75mg of norethisterone; 7 peach- coloured tablets, marked C135, containing 35µg of ethinyloestradiol and 1mg of norethisterone.

Medical Uses

Oral contraception.

Dosage

Women, 1 tablet each day for 21 days, taken in order indicated on pack, then 7 days without tablets.

Special Care

Hypertension, severe kidney disease receiving dialysis, Raynaud's disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, asthma, varicose veins, elevated levels of prolactin (a hormone) in the blood (hyperprolactinemia). Risk of thrombosis increases with smoking, age and obesity. Blood pressure, breasts and pelvic organs should be checked during period of treatment.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, heart and circulatory diseases, angina, sickle cell anaemia, pulmonary hypertension. Also, hormone-dependent cancers, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, chorea, liver disease, history of cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy, infectious hepatitis, Dublin-Johnson syndrome, Rotor syndrome, recent hyperprolactinemia disease.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Phenytoin, carbarrnazepine, tetracyclines, primidone, chloral hydrate, glutethimide, phenylbutazone, rifampicin, griseofulvin, ampicillin, dichloralphenazone, ethosuximide, barbiturates, St John's Wort.

Known Side Effects

Feeling of bloatedness due to fluid retention, leg pains, breast enlargement, erosion of cervix, muscular cramps, weight gain, breakthrough bleeding, depression, headaches, vaginal discharge, loss of libido, nausea, brown patches on skin (chloasma). Stop drug immediately in event of pregnancy, if frequent, severe headaches occur or signs of thromboses, severe pain in upper abdominal region, enlarged liver, jaundice, rise in blood pressure, severe depression, increased number of fits. Drug should be discontinued 6 weeks before major planned surgery and restarted 2 weeks afterwards, as long as woman is fully mobile. Should be discontinued during long periods of immobility.