Mircette is a monophasic oral contraceptive that is used to prevent pregnancy. The drug is more than 92% effective when taken according to the instructions.
What is Mircette?
Mircette is a combination of female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). The drug contains ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel that are used to prevent unwanted pregnancy on a daily basis. Each pack contains 21 active tablets each containing 0.15 mg desogestrel/0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol and 7 inert tablets with no hormones.
How does it work?
The contraceptive effect of the drug is based on the ability to suppress ovulation and increase the secretion of cervical mucus. Desogestrel inhibits the synthesis of gonadotropic hormones and blocks ovulation. Ethinyl estradiol regulates the menstrual cycle. The contraceptive effect is due to an increase in the viscosity of the mucus in the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. In addition to the contraceptive properties, the medication has a number of effects that can be considered when choosing a method of contraception. Your periods become more regular, less painful and less abundant.
How to use Mircette?
Tablets should be taken orally for 28 days in the order indicated on the package Take the first tablet on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins. Menstrual bleeding usually starts 2-3 days after taking the last active pill and may not finish before the next pack is started.
Oral contraceptives can be started immediately after an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy; additional contraception is not required. If you plan using the drug after delivery or after an abortion in the second trimester, take the first tablet on the 21-28 day. If the pack is started later, it is necessary to use additional methods of contraception during the first week. When switching from other birth control pills, you can start taking Mircette immediately; additional methods of contraception are not required.
Side effects
Mircette is usually well-tolerated. In some cases, the drug can cause the following side effects: hives, hypersensitivity reactions, venous and arterial thromboembolism, depression, mood swings, decreased libido, increased libido, headache, migraine, weight gain, fluid retention, weight loss, contact lenses intolerance, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, erythema multiforme, chest pain, breast tenderness, an increase in the mammary glands, skin rash, erythema nodosum, discharge from the vagina, discharge from the mammary glands.
In very rare cases, women reported the following adverse reactions after taking the drug: venous or arterial thrombosis or thromboembolism (including myocardial infarction, stroke, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary artery thromboembolism, hepatic, thromboembolism, renal arteries and veins, retinal arteries), increase in blood pressure, benign and malignant liver tumors, hormone-dependent breast tumors, chloasma (especially in the case of a history of chloasma during pregnancy), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, acyclic bleeding (more often in the first months of administration), jaundice and/or pruritus associated with cholestasis, cholelithiasis, porphyria, systemic lupus erythematosus, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, small chorea, herpes of pregnancy, hearing loss caused by otosclerosis, allergic reactions.
Contraindications
Mircette is contraindicated for use in any of the following conditions:
- hypersensitivity (allergy) to ethinyl estradiol or desogestrel;
- active vein thromboembolic disease (thrombophlebitis);
- severe liver disease, including in the past;
- cancer, which is a hormone-dependent;
- vaginal bleeding of unknown etiology (causes, origin).
Interactions
- Simultaneous use with other oral contraceptives can lead to breakthrough bleeding or violation of contraceptive protection. Therefore, you should not use them at the same time without consulting with your doctor;
- Taking inductors of liver microsomal enzymes may reduce the effectiveness of Mircette. Sorbents can cause a similar reaction;
- Hormonal contraceptives can reduce the effectiveness of certain drugs, in particular, cyclosporine.
What if I miss a pill?
If you forgot to take an active pill on time, follow the instructions given below:
- the delay is less than 12 hours – take the next pill one as soon as you remember, take the next one at the usual time;
- the delay is more than 12 hours – take the next pill in the usual time but use barrier methods of contraception during the next 7 days.
If you miss 1 or more active pills during a week and have unprotected sexual intercourse, you may become pregnant.
If you miss any of the 7 inert pills, just throw them away. These pills contain no hormones and do not have any therapeutic effect. Using additional means of contraception is not required.
Safety precautions
Before using Mircette, you should consult your doctor who will conduct a medical examination. This procedure should be repeated at least once a year. The use of the drug during pregnancy is contraindicated. If you get pregnant when using these pills, stop taking them immediately. The drug may penetrate into breast milk, so it cannot be used as a contraceptive during lactation. The safety and efficacy of the product in adolescent girls under the age of 18 years have not been studied. The cases of overdose have not been recorded. An overdose may cause nausea, vomiting, vaginal bleeding. Oral contraceptives do not protect against HIV (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases. When taking birth control pills, especially in the first months, a woman can experience spotting or heavy bleeding in the middle of the cycle. Any bleeding acquires clinical significance only after the adaptation period, which usually lasts three menstrual cycles. Mircette does not affect the ability to drive and operate machinery.