Description
Loestrin 20 is a combined contraceptive pill, usually just called ‘the pill’.
It contains two hormones – an oestrogen and a progestogen.
Each Loestrin 20 tablet contains two active ingredients, ethinylestradiol 20 mg and norethisterone 1 mg.
These are synthetic versions of the naturally occurring female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.
HOW TO USE
Loestrin 20 tablets come in a calendar pack marked with days of the week.
You take one pill at the same time every day for 21 days and then have a seven day break.
During your seven day break you’ll usually get a withdrawal bleed that is similar to your normal period.
Start your next pack after the seven pill-free days are up, even if you are still bleeding.
PRECAUTIONS
You shouldn’t take it if you:-are over 35 and you smoke, or you stopped smoking less than a year ago.-are very overweight (BMI more than 35).-have ever had a blood clot in your leg (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism).-have ever had a heart attack, angina, stroke or mini-stroke.-have very high blood pressure (hypertension) or vascular disease.-have heart valve disease or an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation.-have a blood disorder that increases your risk of blood clots, eg antiphospholipid syndrome or factor V Leiden.-have severe diabetes with complications affecting the eyes, kidneys or nerves.-suffer from migraines with aura.