Elinest is a combination hormone medication which is used to prevent pregnancy. It contains 2 hormones: ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel.
Contents:
Indications for use
- Contraception.
Mechanism of action
Elinest is a low-dose monophasic oral combined contraceptive. The contraceptive effect of the drug is realized through three complementary mechanisms:
- suppression of ovulation at the level of hypothalamic-pituitary regulation;
- changes in the properties of the cervical secret, as a result of which it becomes impenetrable for spermatozoa;
- changes in the endometrium, which makes it impossible to implant a fertilized egg.
The contraceptive normalizes the period, makes it less painful, reduces the intensity of bleeding, resulting in a reduced risk of iron deficiency anemia.
Dosage and mode of application
Each Elinest pack contains 28 pills (21 pills with hormones and 7 «reminder» pills with no medication. Take one pill daily for 21 days in a row, without interruption. You should have menstruation during the 4 week of the cycle. After you have taken the last pill in the pack, start a new pack the next day whether or not your period has finished. If you do not have menstruation, consult your doctor.
Side effects
Elinest tablets can cause the following side effects:
- gastrointestinal tract: bloating, dyspepsia, recurrence of cholestatic jaundice, vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea;
- nervous system: migraine, headache, fatigue, agitation, depression;
- skin: itching, rash, chloasma, erythema nodosum;
- reproductive system: breakthrough bleeding, changes in the intensity and frequency of uterine bleeding, soreness / tension / enlargement of the mammary glands, dysmenorrhea, conditions similar to premenstrual syndrome, changes in vaginal discharge, intermenstrual bloody discharge.
Contraindications
Elinest is contraindicated for use in the following conditions:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- severe liver disease;
- breast cancer (confirmed or suspected);
- liver tumors, including in the anamnesis;
- bleeding of the vagina of unclear etiology;
- severe hypertriglyceridemia;
- hypersensitivity;
- acute arterial thrombosis / thromboembolism;
- deep vein thrombosis in the acute stage, thromboembolism (including in the anamnesis);
- hormone-dependent tumor / hormone-dependent precancerous disease (identified or suspected).
With caution:
- congenital hyperbilirubinemia;
- myoma of the uterus;
- endometriosis;
- arterial hypertension;
- diabetes;
- cholestatic jaundice / cholestatic itching during pregnancy.
Interactions
- Do not combine Elinest with other hormonal contraceptives;
- Drugs that induce liver enzymes (hydantoins, barbiturates, primidone, carbamazepine and rifampicin, topiramate, felbamate, griseofulvin) can reduce the clinical efficacy of the contraceptive and increase the clearance of ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel;
- Some antibiotics, such as penicillins and tetracyclines, can reduce the concentration of ethinyl estradiol;
- The contraceptive can change glucose tolerance, in some cases, the need for oral antidiabetics or insulin may change;
- Alcohol can increase the concentration of circulating estradiol;
- Paracetamol can substantially increase the bioavailability of estradiol due to competitive inhibition of the conjugation system in the absorption process.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Elinest is not prescribed during pregnancy and breastfeeding period.
If you become pregnant when taking birth control pills, they should be canceled immediately. However, extensive epidemiological studies have not revealed any increased risk of defects in children born to women who used oral contraceptives before pregnancy or in early pregnancy.
Taking combination oral contraceptives can reduce the amount of breast milk and change its composition, therefore, the use of Elinost is contraindicated in breastfeeding period.
What if I miss a pill?
It is very important that you follow the instructions for use and take birth control pills in the specified order. Do not miss any pills. Missing pills increases the risk of pregnancy.
If you miss a pill of Elinest, follow the given instructions:
- If you miss 1 active pill, take it as soon as possible and then take the next pill at the regular time. That may mean taking two doses per day. Continue to take pills and use an additional non-hormonal birth control method for the next 7 days;
- If you miss 2 active pills in a row in week 1 or 2, take 2 pills on the day you remember about it and 2 pills the following day, then continue to take pills at the regular time. Use an additional non-hormonal birth control method for the next 7 days;
- If you miss 2 active pills in a row during week 3, discard the rest of the pills and start a new one that same day. Use an additional non-hormonal birth control method for the next 7 days;
- If you miss 3 or more active pills, follow the instructions given in the insert. Use an additional non-hormonal birth control method for the next 7 days;
- If you miss any of the “reminder” pills, throw them away and continue to take 1 pill each day at your regular time. You do not need to use an additional non-hormonal birth control method for 7 days since “reminder” pills are inactive.
Overdose
No serious side effects were reported with an overdose of Elinest.
- Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, spotting (in adolescents);
- Treatment: symptomatic therapy, there is no specific antidote.
Precautions
Treatment should be preceded by a thorough gynecological examination, which should be repeated at least once a year with prolonged therapy.
In the process of treatment, systematic monitoring of liver function and arterial pressure is required.
Patients with diabetes mellitus should be monitored for the concentration of glucose in the blood.
The combination of estrogens with gestagen has a protective effect on the endometrium.
Treatment should be discontinued 4 – 6 weeks before the planned surgical intervention.
It is not a contraceptive and does not protect against pregnancy.
If you observe altered or irregular menstruations on the background of using Elinest, you need to exclude malignant uterine formation.
The drug does not affect the ability to drive vehicles and work with mechanisms.