Brevinor Tablets

What is Brevinor and what is it used for?

Brevinor is an oral combined contraceptive pill. When used correctly, it will provide nearly 100% protection against pregnancy. Its two active ingredients, norethisterone and ethinylestradiol, prevent ovulation from occurring during the menstrual cycle. Brevinor is a monophasic combined pill, meaning each pill contains the same dose of norethisterone and ethinylestradiol.

Brevinor may reduce acne, and protect against conditions such as fibroids, ovarian cysts and pelvic inflammatory disease. It will not, however, protect against sexually transmitted infections.

There are 21 Brevinor pills in a pack. Once you have finished a pack, you will stop taking the pill for seven days. During this time you will have a normal bleed. Once seven days have passed, begin your next cycle of treatment. If you miss one pill anywhere in your pack, take it as soon as you remember even if it means taking two pills in a day. You should continue taking your pills as normal and you will not need additional contraception. If you miss more than one pill you will lose your contraceptive cover and extra contraception will be required for at least 7 days.

If you have been prescribed Brevinor, repeat supplies can be purchased online from The Independent Pharmacy, following a simple medical questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order on the same working day – if they deem Brevinor suitable for you, your order will be with you as soon as the next working day.

How does Brevinor work?

Pregnancy occurs when an egg released from the ovaries is fertilised by sperm. In a normal menstrual cycle, the ovaries release one egg each month – this is the process of ovulation. This process is controlled by the female sex hormones progesterone and oestrogen.

Brevinor contains two synthetic hormones, norethisterone and ethinylestradiol, which imitate these two natural hormones. They control the levels of each hormone in such a way that prevents an egg from being released. The Pill also makes it more difficult for sperm to reach the uterus, by thickening the fluid that is in the cervix.

During a regular menstrual cycle, the endometrium (the wall of the uterus) builds up in preparation for a fertilised egg. Brevinor reduces the extent of this buildup, making it less likely that a fertilised egg will develop into an embryo. As a further result, periods become lighter.

Contraception Alternatives

• Female Condoms- Not only do they prevent pregnancy they also prevent STIs. There is currently only one brand available in the UK, called Femidom, shown to be 95% effective.
• Male Condoms- Prevent pregnancy and also prevent STIs. Shown to be 98% effective.

At The Independent Pharmacy, we stock a range of hormonal contraceptives in the form of combined and progesterone-only contraceptive pills and patches. For more information about contraception please take a look at our Advice for Contraception page.

Sources

• Brevinor Tablets, Patient Information Leaflet: Patient Information Leaflet
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/combined-contraceptive-pill/

Brevinor Tablets warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

Brevinor is unsuitable for you if you have:

• An allergy to any of the ingredients of Brevinor
• A family history of blood clots
• A history of heart attack or stroke
• An abnormally high level of fat in the blood
• Ever had cancer of the cervix, breast, vagina or uterus
• Severe migraines
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding
• A history of liver disease

Brevinor is unsuitable for you if you have suffered from any of the following problems while pregnant:

• Jaundice
• Pemphigoid gestationis (a rash involving blisters of the hands and feet)
• Pruritus

You may be advised not to take Brevinor if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Migraines
• Epilepsy
• Cardiovascular disease
• Visual disturbances
• Kidney disease
• Impaired liver function
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Any breast problems
• Multiple sclerosis
• Varicose veins
• Severe depression
• Fibroids
• Gallstones
• Otosclerosis
• Porphyria
• Chloasma (brown patches on the body or face)
• Irregular periods
• Tetany

Brevinor Tablets and cancer

Do not use Brevinor if you have breast cancer, or if you have had it before. Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives may slightly increase your chance of developing breast cancer. Once you have stopped using the Pill for at least 10 years, your risk levels will come back down.

Women who are elderly and/or overweight are more vulnerable to breast cancer. Take care using Brevinor if a close relative has suffered from breast cancer before. Check your breasts and nipples regularly for any changes or lumps. If you notice anything abnormal, visit your doctor as soon as you can.

Brevinor may also increase your chance of developing cervical cancer. For this reason, you should have regular smear tests while taking the Pill.

Brevinor Tablets and blood clots

You may be more susceptible to blood clots while taking Brevinor, especially during the first year of use. Talk to your GP before having any operation while taking the Pill. You may need to stop using Brevinor in advance of the operation to avoid the increased risk of a blood clot. You are also at a heightened risk of developing a blood clot if you:

• Smoke
• Are obese
• Have a family history of blood clots
• Do not exercise regularly
• Have had a miscarriage in the past
• Have recently given birth

If you require any blood test, inform your doctor of which medicines you are taking – Brevinor may alter the results of some blood tests.

Brevinor tablets and other medicines

The following medicines may impact the effectiveness of Brevinor:

• Epilepsy medicines (e.g. topiramate, phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• HIV medicines
• Tuberculosis medicines (e.g. rifabutin, rifampicin)
• Hepatitis C medicines (e.g. telaprevir, boceprevir)
• Barbiturates
• Bosentan
• Modafinil
• Griseofulvin
• Aprepitant or fosaprepitant
• St John’s Wort
• Colesevelam
• Etoricoxib

Brevinor may impact the effectiveness of the following medicines:

• Ciclosporin
• Prednisolone
• Selegiline
• Theophylline
• Lamotrigine
• Tizanidine

Please read all packaging and the Product Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.

How to take Brevinor Tablets

Brevinor tablets can be prescribed by The Independent Pharmacy to adults over the age of 18 years.

• Brevinor is for oral use only.
• Take 1 tablet, at the same time each day, for 21 days. Take your first tablet from the top row, marked with the correct day of the week.
• After 21 days, have a 7-day pill-free break, where you should expect to have a bleed.
• Start your new pack, after your 7 days pill-free, on the same day of the week that you started your previous pack.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet carefully before taking Brevinor.

Starting Brevinor

If you have not used any contraceptive with hormones in the previous month:

Start your first Brevinor tablet on day 1 of your period. You are immediately protected against pregnancy. If you start any day after day 1 of your period you should use additional contraception such as a condom for the next 7 days.

Switching from another combined hormonal contraceptive pill:

Start Brevinor the day after your last pill from your previous pill packet. Do not have a 7-day pill-free break. If you start Cilique after your 7-day break you will need to use an additional barrier contraceptive such as condoms for 7 days.

Changing from a progestogen-only pill, injection, implant or a progesterone-releasing IUD:

You may switch to Brevinor on any convenient day from the progestogen-only pill, or the day of removal of an implant or an IUD and the due date of the injection. In all of these cases, you must use an additional barrier contraceptive such as condoms for 7 days.

After having a baby:

You can start taking Brevinor between 21 and 28 days after having a baby. If you start taking Brevinor later than day 28 you must use an additional barrier method of contraception such as condoms for the next 7 days.

Brevinor and missed pills

If you forget to take your daily Brevinor tablet or you are sick or have diarrhoea within 3-4 hours after taking your tablet, take it as soon as you remember or when you feel better, even if this means taking 2 tablets on the same day.

If you are more than 12 hours late taking your Brevinor tablet:

• You will not be protected from getting pregnant and should use additional barrier contraception such as a condom for 7 days.

You are at more risk of becoming pregnant if you miss multiple tablets within one packet or if the missed pill is at the start or the end of your packet. If you think you are at risk of being pregnant while taking Brevinor you should speak to a doctor for advice as soon as possible.

If you are less than 12 hours late taking your Brevinor tablet:

• You will be protected from getting pregnant. You will not need to use additional contraception.

Brevinor Tablets ingredients

The active ingredients contained in Brevinor are: Norethisterone 500 micrograms, ethinylestradiol 35 micrograms.

Brevinor also contains the following inactive ingredients to make up the complete product: Maize starch, polyvidone, magnesium stearate, lactose, E132.

Some people will experience side effects when taking a combined oral contraceptive pill such as Brevinor. Most people will find that their symptoms settle within the first 3 months. If you do not notice any improvement after this time or are concerned about any side effects you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

The most common side effects are:

• Headaches or migraines
• Feeling or being sick or diarrhoea
• Bleeding between periods or no bleeding
• Mood changes
• Difficulty sleeping
• Acne
• Muscle spasms in arms and legs
• Painful breasts
• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginal thrush and discharge
• Weight gain.
• Hair thinning or excessive hair growth
• Changes in appetite
• Change in sex drive