Lizinna

Lizinna is a combined oral contraceptive pill containing the hormones ethinylestradiol and norgestimate. Lizinna is almost 100% effective when used correctly. Lizinna is easy and convenient to take on a long-term basis and offers other benefits alongside its excellent contraceptive cover.

Benefits of Lizinna

Lizinna is a long term reversible method of contraception that doesn't interrupt sex. It provides quick contraceptive cover with minimal side effects.

Alongside reliably preventing pregnancy Lizinna can also lighten periods to improve PMS and regulate periods so that a regular, lighter bleed with less pain is experienced.

It can also help reduce acne, the symptoms of endometriosis, and give control over when you experience a bleed. Many women find a regular cycle of periods helps them manage their work and home lives more easily.

Lizinna works by introducing two hormones to the body that are experienced naturally by women. These are a synthetic oestrogen ethinylestradiol and the synthetic progesterone norgestimate.

The synthetic hormones work together to control your reproductive cycle and periods in three specific ways:

• It prevents an egg from ripening and leaving the ovary each month
• It thins the womb lining so an egg cannot implant there
• It thickens natural cervical mucus so sperm cannot enter the womb to fertilise an egg

If you take a pill each day and follow the instructions Lizinna provides one of the highest contraceptive rates.

Each Lizinna pill contains 250 micrograms norgestimate and 35 micrograms ethinylestradiol. It's a monophasic combined contraceptive, which means each of the pills contains the same amount of synthetic oestrogen and progesterone, so you don't need to worry about taking the right amount in the right order - one pill a day is all that's needed.

You should take one pill a day for 21 days and then have a seven day break, unless you are skipping a period in which case you should take the next packet immediately. You are still protected during your seven day break.

Lizinna pills come in monthly packets with the week days printed on the packaging so you can easily keep track of your dose.

On your seven day break you may experience a bleed. This is not a true period but a withdrawal bleed due to the hormone level in your body dropping. When seven days have passed you should start the next blister packet of pills even if you are still bleeding.

Take Lizinna each day at the same time with or without food. Lizinna is a small pill that is easily swallowed without water if need be, but is best taken with a drink.

Starting Lizinna

Take your first Lizinna pill on the first day of your period for immediate contraceptive cover. You are able to start taking it at any time, but you'll need additional barrier contraception such as a male or female condom for seven days so the hormones have a chance to work.

If you are switching from another brand of contraceptive pill you can swap to Lizinna at any point. Women using barrier methods should continue to use barrier contraception for seven days unless Lizinna is taken on the first day of their period.

Women who have given birth should wait 21 days before taking Lizinna, but as new mothers are naturally at a higher risk of blot clots, you should speak to your doctor or midwife before using a combined contraceptive pill. Breastfeeding mums should avoid combined contraception methods if they are breast-feeding as the hormones may interrupt their milk supply.

After a miscarriage or abortion you can take Lizinna straight away under your doctor's instruction.

What if I forget a pill

For Lizinna to work correctly and provide almost 100% contraceptive cover you need to take it according to the instructions. If you forget one or more pills follow these directions.

Less than 24 hours

A missed pill is one dosage that's more than 24 hours late. Take the missed pill as soon as you remember even if this means taking two at one time, then continue with the packet as usual and you are protected against pregnancy. This protocol also applies if you forget to start the next packet.

More than 24 hours late

Take the most recent missed pill straight away, leaving any other forgotten pills, and continue to take the rest of the packet as usual. You will need to use additional barrier contraception for seven days to ensure your hormones levels are uninterrupted.

If there are less than seven pills in the current packet continue straight to the next without your seven day break. If there are more than seven pills have a seven day break as usual.

If you are more than 24 hours late taking your contraceptive pill and you've had sex consider emergency contraception such as ellaOne or an IUD.

If you don't experience a withdrawal bleed after the second strip of pills, and you've had sex you should take a pregnancy test before continuing with Lizinna.

What if I vomit or have diarrhoea?

Vomiting and diarrhoea interfere with the pill's ability to absorb into your bloodstream. This means you may not receive the full dose of hormones needed to protect against pregnancy.

If you are sick within two hours of taking the pill, take another straight away and your contraception is not compromised. However, if you continue to be unwell you should treat each day as a missed pill and use barrier contraception for seven days following the last bout of sickness.

Severe diarrhoea may also prevent your pill from absorbing. Keep taking your pill, but treat each day of illness as a missed pill and use barrier contraception for seven days.

If you are using a weight loss medication or drinking alcohol, this can lead to diarrhoea.

Lizinna is a combined pill and therefore contains two hormones that help to prevent unwanted pregnancy. For Lizinna, this is the oestrogen hormone ethinylestradiol and the progesterone hormone norgestimate.

Lizinna is a prescription medicine that is generally well tolerated by the majority of women, but you may find it does not suit you.

If this is the case ask your doctor for an alternative combined contraceptive pill. All contraceptive pills work in the same way, but they have slightly differing ingredients.

Some very common side effects of Lizinna include a mild headache, nausea and spotting between periods. Usually these mild side effects settle down as your body adjusts to the new hormone levels.

Less common side effects may include swollen hands and feet, migraine, mood changes, dizziness and difficulty sleeping. If you experience these side effects, in particular if you have your first migraine, or a worse migraine than usual, you should see your doctor.

Uncommon side effects experienced by less than 1 in 100 women include nipple discharge, numbness or changes in your hair growth. These are uncommon, but you should see your doctor if you experience them.

Very rare side effects include an allergic reaction. If you experience a swollen tongue, lips, itching or difficulty breathing seek immediate medical assistance.

The combined pill, along with all forms of combined contraception, slightly raises your risk of experiencing a blood clot. Your doctor will discuss your medical history with you before dispensing a combined contraceptive to ensure your risk is low.

Some medications may interfere with how Lizinna works and reduce its effectiveness.

Your doctor may suggest an alternative to Lizinna if you are taking medicine for epilepsy, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, nausea, anti HIV medicines, Hep C treatments, griseofluvin for fungal infections, cholesterol medicines, charcoal, arthritis medication or sedatives.

If you are taking any over-the-counter medications let your doctor know before taking Lizinna. In particular the herbal treatment St John's Wort that is used by some women as a complimentary treatment for depression, interferes with Lizinna's effectiveness.

If you currently take Lizinna and are prescribed one of the above medications you may need barrier contraception until you finish the course.

Contraindications

Combined contraceptive pills are not suitable for everyone. Some women may need to find an alternative form of contraception or period management such as the mini pill or an IUS which don't contain oestrogen.

Women who have experienced a thrombosis or blood clotting problem shouldn't take Lizinna. This is because the oestrogen in combined contraceptives slightly raises the risk of blood clots.

Other risk factors include those who have or have had cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding, liver disease, a stroke or heart attack, migraines with aura, or pancreatitis.

You may be able to take Lizinna if any of the following apply to you, in consultation with your doctor.

• You are over 35 and smoke
• Heart and circulation problems such as high blood pressure
• Diabetes without a secondary condition or blood vessel damage
• Liver or gallbladder problems
• Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Migraines without an aura

If you are taking Lizinna and need an operation you may need to stop. This is because being off your feet is a risk factor for blood clots.

For a full list of side effects and contraindications speak to your prescribing doctor and read the Lizinna patient leaflet.

Ordering your contraceptive online eliminates the need for going to your GP in-person. You can buy Lizinna online by completing a free consultation reviewed by our doctor to ensure all your details are valid. Once completed, this can remain on your profile for future reordering.

Lizinna is available for free next-day delivery across the UK. Simply have your order approved by 4.30pm Monday to Friday.