Mircette is a biphasic combination contraceptive containing 2 hormones: desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol that are used to prevent pregnancy.
Contents:
Indications for use
Mircette tablets are indicated for oral contraception and menstrual disorders.
Mechanism of action
Mircette suppresses ovulation and increases the release of cervical mucus. The drug is able to regulate the menstrual cycle, prevents ripening of the follicle, thereby blocking ovulation.
Besides, the preparation prevents the maturation of the egg and increases the viscosity of mucus enveloping the cervix, thereby creating an obstruction for spermatozoa.
When taking the drug, menstruations become more regular, less painful and weaker, which reduces the risk of iron deficiency anemia. Also, the remedy reduces the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.
Dosage and mode of application
Mircette is produced in the form of tablets.
Each 28-day blister contains 21 pills containing desogestrel 0.15 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg, followed by 2 inert tablets. Mircette also contains 5 tablets containing 0.01 mg ethinyl estradiol.
The tablets are taken orally in the order indicated on the blister. Take 1 pill daily for 28 days in a row, at a certain time of the day, with water. Take tablets from the next blister as soon as you finish the previous blister.
If you did not take COCs for the last 30 days, you’d better take Mircette on the first day of your period. Also, you can start taking the drug on the 2-5 day of your period, but during a week, you should use additional methods of contraception (such as condoms).
In case of correct and consistent use of the previous contraceptive method and with reliable information on the absence of pregnancy, you can switch to Mircette on any convenient day of the period.
- Switching from mini-pills – on any convenient day;
- Switching from an IUD or implant – on the day of their removal;
- Switching from contraceptive injections – at the time of the next injection.
In all the cases described above, during the first 7 days of applying Mircette, barrier contraceptives should be used.
After an abortion in the first trimester, you can start taking birth control pills immediately, without using any additional contraceptives.
After an abortion or delivery in the second trimester, it is recommended to start taking tablets after 21-28 days. If you need a later application of the drug, you need to use barrier contraceptives during the first 7 days.
Overdose
With the simultaneous administration of a large number of Mircette tablets, there may be nausea, sometimes resulting in vomiting, as well as bloody vaginal discharge in young girls. There were no serious adverse effects of taking excessive doses of the drug. Treatment is symptomatic.
Contraindications
Mircette is contraindicated in the following conditions:
- severe liver diseases, including in an anamnesis;
- venous thrombosis, including in an anamnesis;
- hepatic tumors of any etiology (benign or malignant), including in an anamnesis;
- arterial thrombosis (stroke and myocardial infarction) or diseases that are risk factors for the formation of thrombosis including in an anamnesis;
- pregnancy (including cases of alleged pregnancy);
- vaginal bleeding of unclear etiology;
- breastfeeding;
- a propensity to arterial or venous thrombosis;
- intolerance to sugars;
- a migraine with neurologic focal symptoms, including in an anamnesis;
- personal hypersensitivity;
- diabetes mellitus, accompanied by vascular lesion;
- nicotine dependence in the age after 35 years (when you smoke more than 15 cigarettes per day);
- multiple or severe risk factors for thrombosis;
- malignant hormone-dependent formations in the mammary glands or genitals;
- pancreatitis, including in an anamnesis.
If you have any of the abovementioned painful conditions when using Mircette for birth control, you should immediately stop taking pills and seek medical help.
If you have any of the following risk factors/conditions, the physician must carefully weigh the expected benefits of taking Mircette tablets and the potential risk of adverse effects on women and prescribe the drug with extreme caution in:
- atrial fibrillation;
- hemolytic-uremic syndrome;
- nicotine addiction;
- the family history of serious thromboembolic pathologies;
- obesity;
- hypertriglyceridemia;
- chronic and acute hepatic diseases, inclusive with congenital hyperbilirubinemia;
- arterial hypertension;
- inflammatory chronic bowel pathologies;
- manifestations of a migraine;
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- valvular heart defects;
- diabetes mellitus;
- changes in biochemical parameters that may represent markers of acquired or congenital propensity to thrombosis;
- superficial thrombophlebitis, varicose veins;
- prolonged forced immobilization, surgery on the lower extremities or large areas of the body, severe injuries;
- the postpartum period and the age over 35 years.
Side effects
Mircette birth control pills sometimes cause the following side effects:
- thromboembolism or thrombosis;
- a headache;
- erythema nodosum;
- increased blood pressure;
- discharge from the mammary glands/vagina;
- liver tumors;
- stomach ache;
- mammary cancer;
- erythema multiforme;
- bloody acyclic vaginal discharge (mostly in the first months of use);
- chloasma;
- allergic reactions;
- decreased/increased libido;
- hypersensitivity;
- hives;
- increase / decrease in weight;
- skin rash;
- fluid retention;
- nausea, vomiting;
- intolerance to contact lenses;
- depression;
- a migraine;
- change of mood;
- increase/soreness of the mammary glands.
Interactions
The simultaneous use of birth control pills with other medications can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of contraceptives, as well as the occurrence of acyclic bleeding.
Possible interactions of Mircette:
- inducers of microsomal hepatic enzymes (St. John’s Wort preparations, Griseofulvin, phenytoin, felbamate, barbiturates, ritonavir, primidone, Topiramate, carbamazepine, rifabutin, rifampicin, oxcarbazepine, etc.);
- antibiotics belonging to the groups of tetracyclines and ampicillin.
If you are taking a COC with any of the aforementioned remedies, you should use additional, barrier contraceptives or completely switch to another contraceptive method.
Precautions for gastrointestinal disorders
If a woman develops severe gastrointestinal disorders, the absorption of active ingredients of Mircette (ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel) may occur in an incomplete volume, which requires an additional use of barrier contraceptives. When vomiting occurs within 3-4 hours after taking a pill, it is necessary to take an additional pill from another blister.
Changing the timing of the menstrual period
To delay menstruation, you need to miss inert tablets in a blister. This allows you to delay menstruation for any desired period of time. During this period, some women may have spotting (abundant or smearing). Renewal of normal conventional drug administration is possible after a mandatory 7-day interval.
What if I miss a dose?
The following recommendations are applicable in the case of missing an active pill. If you missed an inert pill, you may just throw it away and continue taking pills according to a generally accepted intake schedule.
With a 12-hour delay in taking a pill, the contraceptive effect of Mircette remains the same. The missed tablet must be taken in a 12-hour period and then you should follow the generally accepted schedule. Use barrier contraception in the first 7 days.
If a tablet is delayed for more than 12 hours, the contraceptive effect of the drug may decrease.
In the absence of the expected menstrual bleeding, you should exclude pregnancy.
Mircette and pregnancy
Pregnant women should not take Mircette for birth control. When pregnancy occurs during the period of using the drug, it is necessary to interrupt the reception of the tablets. The studies did not reveal an increase in the likelihood of birth defects in infants whose mothers were taking COCs prior to pregnancy, as well as the teratogenic effects of COCs in case of their unintended use at the beginning of pregnancy.
Hormonal contraceptives can affect lactation by changing the composition and amount of breast milk, as well as releasing a number of sex steroids and/or metabolic products with it. In this regard, Mircette is contraindicated during breastfeeding.