Ethinyl Estradiol+dienogest
About Ethinyl Estradiol+dienogest
Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol is used as a means of birth control in women who wish to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Additionally, it is also used in the treatment of irregular menstrual cycles and moderate to severe acne. A combined oral contraceptive is a birth-control pill, colloquially referred to as the pill, and it is used as a means of oral birth control by women.
Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol is composed of Ethinyl estradiol and Dienogest. It is an ovulation inhibitor, which inhibits the release of potent eggs from the ovary, thereby preventing pregnancy. It also changes the cervical ambience, making cervical secretions thicker and hostile to any incoming sperm. Hence, it is a very potent contraceptive. In addition, the dienogest component inhibits gonadotropin (sex hormone) production and also suppresses the growth of uterine cells. Therefore, Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol helps prevent pregnancy.
Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol may be taken on an empty stomach, but it is better to take it after having food. In some cases, Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol may cause certain common side effects such as nausea, breast soreness, headache and dizziness. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects consistently.
If you are allergic to any of its components, please inform the doctor before using Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol. Keep the doctor informed if you are on treatment for any cardiovascular disease, mental health disorder, liver disease, gallbladder disease or breast/uterine/cervical cancer. Before taking Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol, inform your doctor of your entire medical and surgical history. Please consult your doctor before taking Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol during pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding.
Uses of Ethinyl Estradiol+dienogest
Medicinal Benefits
Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol is a combined oral contraceptive that contains two hormones, oestrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (dienogest). Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol is used to prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation and changing the consistency of cervical secretions. In patients suffering from menorrhagia, Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol reduces the intensity and duration of menstrual bleeding. Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol reduces hair and skin greasiness, providing relief to blackheads/whiteheads and acne-prone skin.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ethinyl Estradiol+dienogest
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Breast tenderness
- Dizziness
Drug Warnings
Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol should not be used in case of any known allergy to either of the components. Inform your doctor if you have/had mental health disorders, arterial or thrombotic disorders, cardiovascular health disorders, liver disease, gallbladder disease, history of breast/uterine/cervical cancer, hormone-sensitive cancer or if you smoke. Women with a history of angioedema should exercise caution while taking Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol as it may worsen the angioedema. Avoid taking Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is advisable not to consume alcohol with Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol. Inform the doctor right away if you notice any dark urine, yellowing of the eyes/skin, severe mood changes, or sudden heavy bleeding. Women with a tendency for chloasma/melasma (a skin condition commonly seen in middle-aged women) should avoid sun exposure after taking Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol may interact with antiepileptics (carbamazepine, phenytoin, felbamate, topiramate), antidepressants (St. John’s wort), antibiotics (rifampicin, rifabutin), antifungal (griseofulvin), and anti-HIV drugs (nelfinavir, ritonavir).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid consumption of alcohol. Do not consume grapefruit juice as it may interfere with the absorption of Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have blood clotting disorders, hypertension, high cholesterol, breast disorders, cancer, depression, diabetes, angioedema, heart problems, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, liver disease, stroke, unexplained vaginal bleeding and/or thyroid issues.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionCaution should be exercised while consuming alcohol with Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol as there may be a minor interaction.
Pregnancy
unsafeDienogest+ethinyl Estradiol is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Stop taking Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol and consult a doctor immediately if you get pregnant while taking Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDienogest+ethinyl Estradiol may affect the production of breast milk. Other forms of contraception are advised as long as breastfeeding continues. Please consult the doctor.
Driving
cautionDienogest+ethinyl Estradiol is unlikely to affect driving ability. However, Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol may cause dizziness. Drive only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionDienogest+ethinyl Estradiol should be used with caution in those with liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionDienogest+ethinyl Estradiol should be used with caution in those with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
cautionUse below the age of menarche (first period) is not indicated. Please seek medical advice from your doctor if you have any concerns about this.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- As nausea and vomiting may occur using Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol, make sure to take it on light, small meals.
- After starting Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol, use another alternative non-hormonal contraceptive for at least ten days.
- Maintaining a healthy weight can go a long way in promoting healthy female reproductive health. Make sure you exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. However, do not engage in very strenuous physical exercise, as this can worsen bleeding.
- Regularly working night shifts can affect hormone production. Try to avoid night shifts.
- Maintain good sexual hygiene and prevent any sexually transmitted diseases by practising only safe sex.
- Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
- Avoid smoking.
- Avoid grapefruit juice while taking Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol as this may interact with Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol and affect its absorption.
- Increase your intake of red vegetables, fruits, dry fruits, spinach, nuts, and beans, as these help form new blood.
- Keeping your skin hydrated by drinking enough water can also do wonders for the overall quality of your skin.
- Exfoliate your skin lightly but regularly. This helps wash away dry and dead cells, cleansing the skin.
Special Advise
- Do not skip tablets or delay intake by more than 12 hours. If you miss a dose, try to catch up as early as possible. However, if the time for the second dose has come too close, revert to your original schedule.
- Chart your menstrual cycle and take Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol on day 1 of your cycle, i.e. day 1 of your period.
- Use a condom or any non-hormonal contraceptive for the first ten days after starting Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol.
- Please inform the doctor immediately if you notice any breast lump, dark urine, yellowing of the skin, mood changes, headache, palpitations, severe fatigue or any alarming changes in vaginal bleeding.
- Call the doctor right away if you experience any stroke symptoms, such as breathlessness, confusion, dizziness, left arm pain, jaw pain, sudden vision changes, or any pulmonary embolism symptoms, such as cough, leg pain, warmth, pain in the calf, etc.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Oral Contraception: Oral contraception is birth control taken by mouth by women to prevent pregnancy. It is commonly referred to as the pill. Oral contraceptives contain hormonal preparations of female sex hormones for birth control.
Menorrhagia: Severe loss of blood during a period lasting more than seven days is called menorrhagia. It is a form of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Common signs and symptoms include heavy bleeding and large blood clots.
Acne: Acne is a skin condition in which pores get blocked or clogged, leading to the appearance of whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and greasy skin. It is caused by a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes.
FAQs
Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol is used as a means of birth control in women who wish to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Additionally, it is also used in the treatment of irregular menstrual cycles and moderate to severe acne.
Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol works by suppressing ovulation and by changing cervical mucous thickness, thereby preventing pregnancy and acting as an effective birth control method.
It is not advisable to use Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol for at least four weeks after delivery. After four weeks, you can resume its use. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol is not known to affect conception rates as it’s been found that women got pregnant pretty soon after discontinuing Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol is not recommended or indicated in the treatment of any breast tumours or cancers.
It is considered as a missed dose if you vomit within 2 hours of taking Dienogest+ethinyl Estradiol. So, you should take another dose as soon as you feel better.