How to take Femodette
Femodette can be prescribed by The Independent Pharmacy to adults over the age of 18 years.
- Femodette tablets are 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 and follow the directions of the arrows printed on the pack.
- After 21 days, have a 7-day pill-free break, where you should expect to have a withdrawal bleed, like a period.
- 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 Femodette.
Starting Femodette
If you have not used any contraceptive with hormones in the previous month:
Take your first Femodette tablet on day 1 of your period. You will be 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:
Take your first Femodette tablet the day after your last pill from your previous pill packet. Do not have a 7-day pill-free break. If you start Femodette 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 can switch to Femodette 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 Femodette 21 days after having a baby. If you start taking Femodette later than this you must use an additional barrier method of contraception such as condoms for the next 7 days.
Femodette and missed pills
If you forget to take your daily Femodette 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 Femodette 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 Femodette you should speak to a doctor for advice as soon as possible.
If you are less than 12 hours late taking your Femodette tablet:
You will be protected from getting pregnant. You will not need to use additional contraception.