Logynon

What is Logynon?

Logynon is a combined hormonal oral contraceptive medicine available in tablet form, and is commonly known as a birth control pill or simply 'the pill'. It is a triphasic pill, which means it contains 3 different hormone doses that are taken over 21 days, so it more closely mimics your natural menstrual cycle. There are 3 different coloured pills in each strip:

• Light brown pill containing 50 micrograms (mcg) of levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinylestradiol
• White pills containing 75 mcg of levonorgestrel and 40 mcg of ethinylestradiol
• Ochre or sand coloured pills containing 125 mcg of levonorgestrel and 30 mcg of ethinylestradiol

When taken correctly, Logynon is more than 99% effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy. However, when typical use, such as forgetting the pill or vomiting and severe diarrhoea, is taken into consideration, the combined pill is closer to being 91% effective, meaning that 9 in 100 users will get pregnant in a year while taking it.

Logynon is also available as a 28-day pill called Logynon ED.

What is Logynon Used For?

Logynon is used as a birth control pill to offer prevention against unwanted pregnancy, but certain other benefits are also associated with this medication and other combined contraceptives. These include:

• Regulating irregular and heavy periods
• Making periods less painful
• Helping with premenstrual symptoms
• Improving acne in some people
• Reducing the risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease, and ovarian and uterine cancer in women taking the pill

If you’d like more information about these other potential benefits of Logynon pills, read the Patient Information Leaflet or visit the NHS website. Speak to a clinician or doctor for advice if you’re dealing with some of the conditions listed above.

Combined contraceptive pills, such as Logynon, do not prevent or reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea or chlamydia. The only way to do this is by using condoms. 

How Does Logynon Work?

Logynon contains two synthetic versions of naturally occurring female sex hormones that work together to prevent pregnancy. Ethinylestradiol (oestrogen) and levonorgestrel (a progestogen that mimics progesterone) stop you from becoming pregnant in 3 ways:

1. Disrupting ovulation: The main mechanism of action. Logynon inhibits the release of hormones that cause a mature egg to leave the ovaries every month
2. Mucus thickening: Cervical mucus is thickened to make it harder for sperm to travel to the womb and fertilise an egg
3. Affecting the womb lining: Thinning the endometrium reduces the chances of a fertilised egg implanting itself in the womb

By disrupting the conception process in these 3 ways, Logynon birth control pills can be extremely effective at preventing pregnancy. This is provided they are taken as prescribed. 

How Long Does it Take for Logynon to Work?

The active ingredients in Logynon start working immediately to prevent pregnancy if you begin treatment on the first day of your period (day 1 of noticing a bleed). If you start on any other day, use additional forms of contraception, like condoms, until you have correctly taken Logynon for 7 days in a row. 

How to Take Logynon Pills

Logynon is a 21-day combined contraceptive pill. The treatment is triphasic, meaning there are 3 stages that make up a full cycle.

• Stage 1 (6 x light brown pills): These pills are taken first, as they contain the lowest dose of hormones
• Stage 2 (5 x white pills): Once you’ve finished the brown pills, move on to these. They contain a higher dose of both hormones
• Stage 3 (10 x ochre/sand pills): For the final 10 days, you’ll be taking these pills. They contain a higher dose of levonorgestrel but a lower dose of ethinylestradiol

The purpose of a triphasic system is to minimise the impact of potential side effects such as headaches, mood swings, and breakthrough bleeding, while still offering high levels of pregnancy protection. Because each coloured tablet contains different hormone levels, it’s essential that you take Logynon pills in the correct order by following the arrows on the blister pack.

To effectively prevent pregnancy, it’s important to take the tablets correctly as described. Swallow each pill whole, with water if necessary, and take care not to chew it.

Here’s how to take Logynon pills correctly:

1. Take the first pill in the strip marked “start” and mark the day of the week under the heading “I took my first pill on” by piercing the small unnumbered foil disc to remind you of your start day.
2. Follow the direction of the arrows, taking one pill every day at the same time each day for 21 days. 
3. When you have taken all 21 pills, have a 7-day break where you take no pills. You should have a withdrawal bleed, like a period, during this break.

Provided you have taken all of your pills correctly and then start your next strip of tablets on time, there will be no need to use additional forms of contraception during the 7-day break.

Start taking your next strip of Logynon tablets once your pill-free break is over, even if you’re still bleeding. You should always begin a new strip on the same day of the week if you’ve been taking them correctly.

Consistency is important with Logynon birth control pills, so you should take each tablet at the same time every day. Choose a time when you are unlikely to be distracted by any activities and set an alarm if you feel you might have difficulty remembering.

When to Start Logynon

If you’re starting Logynon pills for the first time or are restarting after a break, take your first tablet on day 1 of your period (the first day of noticing a bleed). Doing so will give you contraceptive protection from pregnancy with your first pill.

You can choose to start Logynon after the first day of your period, but you should use additional forms of contraception (such as condoms) until you have taken the tablets correctly for 7 consecutive days. This is to allow the full hormonal impact to take effect. 

Logynon Missed Pill Guidance

If you have missed a Logynon pill, what you need to do depends on how late you are taking it.

• Less than 12 hours late: Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if that means taking two pills on the same day. Your contraceptive protection should not be reduced.
• More than 12 hours late, or more than 1 pill missed: Take the most recently missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two pills in one day, and leave any earlier missed pills in the strip. Take your future pills as usual and use extra contraception, like condoms, for the next 7 days.

If you’ve missed more than 1 pill or it’s been over 12 hours since your last one, you’ll also need to check how many tablets are left in the strip after your most recently missed one and do the following:

Option 1

If there are 7 or more pills left in the pack:

• Use condoms for the next 7 days when you have sex.
• When you have finished the strip, have the usual 7-day break before starting the next strip.    

Option 2

If there are fewer than 7 pills left in the pack:

• Use condoms for the next 7 days when you have sex.
• When you have finished the strip, start the next strip the next day without having a break.
• If you do not have a withdrawal bleed after the second strip, take a pregnancy test.

If you have missed one or more pills in the first week of your strip (days 1 to 7) and you have sex in that week, you could be pregnant. The same is true if you have missed any of the pills in a strip and you do not bleed in the first pill-free break. Speak to your clinician, nurse, or pharmacist for more advice. In some circumstances, you may need emergency contraception. You might also want to take a pregnancy test.

If you start a strip late or make your pill-free break longer than seven days, you may not be protected from pregnancy. If you had sex in the last 7 days, you may need emergency contraception. Speak to a clinician for more advice. You should also use extra contraception for 7 days, such as condoms.

What to Do if I Take More Logynon Than I Should?

Taking one more Logynon pill than you should is unlikely to cause you harm, though you may feel sick, vomit or experience vaginal bleeding. If you experience any of these symptoms, inform your doctor.

What Should I Do if I am Sick (Vomit) or Have Diarrhoea When Taking Logynon?

If you are sick (vomiting) or have very bad diarrhoea within 4 hours of taking a Logynon pill, your body may not have absorbed the hormones from the pill. If you are better within 12 hours of taking Logynon, follow the instructions in the Patient Information Leaflet in section 3 “A lost pill”.

Should you still feel sick or have diarrhoea more than 12 hours after taking Logynon, follow the missed pill advice. If your upset stomach does not improve or it gets worse, speak to your clinician, who may recommend another form of contraception.

Logynon Side Effects and Cautions

Not all medications are the same. Each will have different active ingredients and doses, meaning what’s suitable for one individual may not work for another. It’s therefore important to have a proper understanding of what to expect before starting treatment. If you’re ever unsure, speak to your clinician or doctor for advice. 

Logynon Pill Side Effects

Like all treatments, Logynon tablets may cause side effects. Not everyone will experience them, and any adverse effects will usually resolve once your body has become accustomed to the medication.

Potential side effects of Logynon contraceptive pills include:

Please be aware that this is not an exhaustive list of Logynon side effects. For further information, refer to the Patient Information Leaflet that’s enclosed with the medication.

If you experience any side effects, whether listed above or in the patient leaflet, please inform your doctor or speak to a pharmacist for advice. Alternatively, you can report them directly to the Yellow Card Scheme run by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA). 

Allergic Reaction

Do not take Logynon if you are allergic to levonorgestrel, ethinylestradiol or any of the other ingredients of Logynon listed in the Patient Information Leaflet.

Logynon contains lactose. If you are sensitive to certain sugars, consult your doctor before taking Logynon.

Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Dry, red, cracked skin
• Itchy, red, watery eyes
• Raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
• Tightness of the chest
• Tummy pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea

If you experience an allergic reaction after taking Logynon, stop taking the medicine and seek emergency medical attention immediately by calling 999 or getting someone to take you to A&E.

Blood Clots and Logynon

Logynon, like other combined oral contraceptive pills, can slightly raise your risk of blood clots. The risk of a blood clot is highest during the first year of taking the pill for the first time, or if you’re restarting after a break of 4 weeks or more. The risk reduces after you have been taking it for a year, but it is still slightly higher than if you were not using a combined hormonal contraceptive.

The risk of developing a blood clot each year is:

• Around 2 out of 10,000 people who are not using the combined pill and are not pregnant.
• About 5 to 7 out of 10,000 people who use a combined pill containing levonorgestrel, like Logynon

The risk of a blood clot increases if you:

• Are very overweight
• Have a family history of blood clots
• Need an operation or will be off your feet for a while
• Are over 35
• Gave birth less than a few weeks ago

If you are concerned about the risk of blood clots while taking Logynon pills, contact a clinician for more advice. 

Breast Cancer Risk

Combined contraceptives such as Logynon can slightly increase the risk of developing breast cancer, but this is still rare. The risk goes up the longer you take the pill for, but it will return to normal within 10 years of stopping. The likelihood of the condition occurring is higher if you:

• Are seriously overweight
• Have a close relative who has had breast cancer

If you notice any changes in your breasts, such as lumps, skin dimpling, or alterations in the nipple, contact a doctor as soon as possible.  

Logynon Warnings and Interactions

Logynon may not be suitable for everyone. Do not take Logynon if you:

• Are allergic to any of the ingredients in Logynon, including ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel
• Have or have ever had a blood clot in a blood vessel of your legs, lungs, or other organs
• Have a blood-clotting disorder
• Need an operation and will be off your feet for a while
• Have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• Have or have ever had angina pectoris or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• Have any of the following diseases that increase the risk of a blood clot in your arteries (severe diabetes with blood vessel damage, very high blood pressure, a very high level of blood fats, homocysteinaemia)
• Have or have ever had a type of migraine called ‘migraine with aura’
• Have or have ever had breast cancer
• Have ever had a severe liver disease, and have been told your liver function test results are not yet back to normal
• Have ever had liver tumours

Tell your clinician about any medical conditions you have, including any that are not listed here. The combined pill may not be suitable for you if you smoke and are over 35. Your clinician may recommend the mini pill as an alternative.

Logynon and Other Medicines

Before taking Logynon, tell your clinician about any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications you are taking, so they can assess if Logynon is safe for you.

Some medicines can stop Logynon from working properly, including:

• Epilepsy medicines
• Some medicines that are used to treat HIV and hepatitis C virus infections
• Griseofulvin
• Some antibiotics
• Certain sedatives
• St. John’s Wort

Do not use Logynon if you have hepatitis C and are taking medicines that contain:

• Dasabuvir
• Glecaprevir
• Ombitasvir
• Paritaprevir
• Pibrentasvir
• Ritonavir
• Sofosbuvir
• Velpatasvir
• Voxilaprevir

You are safe to use most antibiotics with Logynon, as they will not interfere with how the contraception works. This does not apply to medications such as rifabutin and rifampicin, which can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. 

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take Logynon contraceptive pills if you are pregnant. If you think you may have become pregnant while taking Logynon, confirm this by taking a pregnancy test and stop the treatment if the result is positive.

Your clinician or family planning nurse may advise you not to take Logynon if you are breastfeeding. They should be able to recommend an alternative form of contraception. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Logynon Pills

Is Logynon a Combined Pill?

Yes, Logynon is classed as a combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill that contains the active ingredients levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol, which are synthetic hormones that mimic naturally occurring substances in the body. They work together to prevent pregnancy 91% of the time with typical use.

Is Logynon a Low Dose Pill?

Yes, Logynon is considered a low-dose pill because it only contains a small amount of its active ingredients. Because it’s a triphasic medication, the strength of each dose varies depending on the tablet's colour.  The dosage stages are as follows:

• Light brown tablets: 50 mcg levonorgestrel & 30 mcg ethinylestradiol
• White tablets: 75 mcg levonorgestrel & 40 mcg ethinylestradiol
• Ochre tablets: 125 mcg levonorgestrel & 30 mcg ethinylestradiol

Does Logynon Cause Weight Gain?

Although weight gain is listed as a common side effect of Logynon that can affect between 100 and 1,000 users in every 10,000 people, there is no concrete scientific evidence to suggest that combined contraceptives cause fluctuations in weight.

If you notice any changes in your weight, they are most likely due to temporary water retention or increased appetite, rather than additional body fat. Should you be concerned about any side effects or would like support with losing weight, consult a clinician for advice. 

Can the Logynon Pill Improve Acne?

Yes, Logynon and other combined contraceptives can help improve acne symptoms, though they are not classed as first-line treatments for the condition. Clinical trials have shown they may reduce androgen (male hormone) levels and sebum (skin oil) production, which can contribute to a reduction in acne lesions. 

Does the Logynon Pill Skip Periods?

Yes, it is possible to use Logynon to skip or delay your period, although the treatment is not specifically intended for this purpose. To do this, start a new pack of tablets immediately after finishing your current one and omit the usual 7-day break. You may still experience breakthrough bleeding or spotting with this method.

It’s recommended that you consult a clinician or doctor before changing how you take the combined pill. This is to ensure the practice is suitable for your circumstances. Other treatments are available for period delay. 

Can You Take Logynon Without a Break?

Yes, you can take Logynon without a break (back-to-back). This involves starting a new pack of pills immediately after finishing your previous one, thereby skipping the 7-day pill-free break. This method of taking the medication is commonly used to delay your period. It’s important to check with a clinician before doing this, to ensure it’s suitable for your circumstances. 

What's the Difference Between Logynon and Logynon ED?

Logynon and Logynon ED contain the same triphasic hormones to prevent pregnancy. The main difference is the routine because Logynon is a 21-day pill that usually has a 7-day break after the strip finishes. Logynon ED is a 28-day pill, with 21 active pills plus 7 inactive, placebo pills, which means you will take Logynon ED every day without a break. 

How Do I Store Logynon?

Logynon should be stored out of the sight and reach of children. It should be stored in its original packaging to protect it from light and moisture. If Logynon is past its expiry date, which is printed on the strip and the outer carton, do not take it. Take it to your nearest pharmacy, which will dispose of it for you. 

Can I Drink Alcohol with Logynon?

While it is unlikely that alcohol will have an effect on the efficacy of Logynon, excessive alcohol consumption can cause vomiting. If you vomit shortly after taking Logynon, the medicine may not have been absorbed completely, and thus the contraceptive effect is reduced.

Always drink responsibly. If you experience side effects which may be worsened by drinking alcohol, avoid or limit alcohol consumption.

Will Logynon Affect My Ability to Drive or Operate Machines?

Logynon should not affect your ability to drive or operate machines. If you experience dizziness or tiredness after taking Logynon, do not drive or operate machinery until you feel it is safe for you to do so.

Sources

• EMC (2023): Logynon coated tablets.
• EMC (2023): Patient Information Leaflet.
• National Library of Medicine (2022): Acne: Research summaries – Which birth control pills can help reduce acne?
• NHS (2024): Heavy periods.
• NHS (2024): How well contraception works at preventing pregnancy.
• NHS (2024): What is the combined pill?
• NHS (2022): Polycystic ovary syndrome.
• PubMed (2014): Combination contraceptives: effects on weight.
• Cochrane (2012): Combined oral contraceptive pills for treatment of acne.