Ovranette

What is Ovranette?

Ovranette is a combined hormonal contraceptive pill which contains artificial versions of the hormones oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progesterone (levonorgestrel). Together, they mimic the natural female reproductive cycle to prevent pregnancy.

Combined oral contraceptive pills, including Ovranette, are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken perfectly. However, they are about 91% effective with typical use. This includes things like forgetting to take the pill and being sick or having severe diarrhoea.

Ovranette is also used for the treatment of heavy or irregular periods, dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, painful periods, and pre-menstrual tension.

How Does Ovranette Work?

The Ovranette pill contains two hormones, levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol, synthetic types of the hormones progesterone and oestrogen, respectively. The medication overrides the natural menstrual cycle of females and protects against getting pregnant.

Ovranette's ingredients work together to prevent pregnancy in 3 ways:

1. Inhibiting the ripening and release of an egg from the ovaries each month, a process known as ovulation. This is the treatment's primary function
2. Thickening the mucus in the cervix to hinder sperm mobility and reduce the chances of them reaching the egg
3. Thinning the uterine (womb) lining to make it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant there

While Ovranette can reduce your risk of becoming pregnant, it does not prevent sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia. Only condoms can do this.

How Long Does Ovranette Take to Work?

The Ovranette contraceptive pill starts working immediately to prevent pregnancy if taken on the first day of your period. Should you start using the tablets on any other day, you will need to use another form of contraception (such as condoms) for the first 7 days of using Ovranette.

How to Take Ovranette

Ovranette comes in a strip of 21 pills, with each pill marked with the name of a weekday on the blister pack. Start taking the pills marked with the correct day. Follow the direction of the arrows marked on the strip and take the next pills accordingly. Ensure you take them every day at the same time for the next 21 days.

After finishing the strip, there will be a pill-free week. You will have bleeding in these seven days, like a regular menstrual period. Start the new pack on the 8th day and take the 21 tablets again. Sometimes your bleeding may not be finished during the seven days of pill-free week; even then, you should start the new pack without any delay.

If you take all the pills regularly for 21 days, you will always start the new pack every time on the same day of the week.

When Should I Start Taking Ovranette?

If you're new to the Ovranette combined pill, or you're restarting after a break, take the first tablet on day 1 of your next period. This will give you protection straight away. Taking it at any other time will mean that you have to use additional contraception (such as condoms) until you have successfully taken Ovranette for 7 days in a row.

What Do I Do if I Miss a Dose of the Ovranette Pill?

If you miss an Ovranette pill, what you need to do will depend on how late you are.

If you should have taken the missed pill less than 12 hours ago, you should:

• Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 pills on the same day.
• Continue taking future pills as usual.
• Your contraceptive protection will not be reduced.

If you should have taken the missed pill more than 12 hours ago, or you have missed more than 1 pill, you should:

• Take the most recently missed pill straight away and leave any earlier missed pills in the strip.
• Continue taking your future pills as usual, even if it means taking 2 pills in 1 day.
• Use an additional method of contraception, like condoms, for the next 7 days.

You then need to check how many pills are left in the strip after the most recently missed tablet and follow the instructions below:

7 or More Tablets Left in the Pack

• Use condoms for the next 7 days each time you have sex.
• When you finish the current strip, have the usual 7-day pill-free break.

Fewer Than 7 Tablets Left in the Pack

• Use condoms for the next 7 days each time you have sex.
• When you finish the current strip, start taking the next strip the next day without a break.
• If you do not have a withdrawal bleed after you have finished the second strip, do a pregnancy test before starting another strip.

If you have missed one or more pills in the first week of your strip (days 1 to 7) and you had sex in that week, you could become pregnant. Speak to your clinician, nurse, or pharmacist for advice as soon as possible. In some instances, you may need emergency contraception.

You may also be pregnant if you have missed any of the pills in a strip and do not bleed during the first pill-free break. If this happens, contact your clinician or family planning clinic for advice, or take a pregnancy test yourself.

Starting a new strip of pills late or making your pill-free break longer than 7 days could result in you not being protected from pregnancy. If you have had unprotected sex within the last 7 days in either scenario, speak to your family planning clinic or clinician for advice. You should also use extra contraception (such as condoms) for 7 days, and you may need to consider emergency contraception. 

What Should I Do if I Accidentally Take More Ovranette than I Should?

If you take more Ovranette than you should, it is unlikely that it will cause you any harm, but it may cause the following symptoms:

• Feeling or being sick
• Breast tenderness
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness, drowsiness, or tiredness
• Vaginal bleeding

If you get any of these symptoms, you should speak to your clinician as soon as possible.

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

If you are sick (vomiting) or have very bad diarrhoea within 4 hours of taking your Ovranette pill, your body may not get the usual dose of hormones. Take another pill as soon as you can and continue taking your next pills at the usual time.

If you are still sick or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours after taking Ovranette, follow the "missed pill" guidance above or in the patient information leaflet. Should symptoms continue or worsen, speak to your clinician, who may recommend another type of contraception.

How to Switch to Ovranette From Another Contraceptive Pill

If you are switching to Ovranette from another type of contraceptive pill, what you need to do will depend on the type of pill you are currently taking.

• If you are currently taking a 21-day pill, you can start Ovranette the day after your current pill strip finishes. You will be protected against pregnancy as soon as you take the first Ovranette pill. You will not have a bleed until after your first strip of Ovranette.
• If you are currently taking a 28-day pill, you can start Ovranette the day after your last active pill. You will be protected against pregnancy from your first Ovranette pill. You will not have a bleed until after your first Ovranette strip is complete.
• If you are taking a progesterone-only (mini pill), start Ovranette on the first day of bleeding, even if you have taken the mini pill that day. You will be protected against pregnancy straight away.

If you need any advice when switching to Ovranette from other hormonal contraceptives, speak to your clinician.

Ovranette Side Effects and Cautions

No two medications are ever the same. Each has different ways of working and comprises different active ingredients, so what is most effective and suitable for one person may not be the case for another. It's therefore important to have a clear understanding of what you could encounter when taking the Ovranette contraceptive pill.

Side Effects of Ovranette

Like all medicines, Ovranette may cause side effects. Not everybody who takes Ovranette will experience side effects. It's essential to remain vigilant for side effects associated with your medicine throughout your treatment.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of potential Ovranette side effects. Further information about the pill's safety can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you experience any side effects, regardless of whether they are listed above or in the leaflet supplied with your medicine, inform your clinician right away. You can also report Ovranette side effects directly to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) Yellow Card Scheme.

Allergic Reaction

Do not take Ovranette if you are allergic to levonorgestrel, ethinylestradiol, or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

Ovranette contains lactose and sucrose. If you are intolerant to some sugars, speak to your clinician before taking Ovranette.

If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction after taking Ovranette, stop taking the medicine and seek immediate medical attention by going straight to your nearest casualty department.

Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Dry, red and 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 and diarrhoea

Blood Clot Risk

There is a slightly increased risk of getting a blood clot when taking the combined pill, including Ovranette.

Your risk of having a blood clot in your veins increases if you:

• Are older
• Are very overweight
• Or any of your close family members have had blood clots
• Have certain rare medical conditions, like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Need an operation or are going to be off your feet for a while
• Have had one or more miscarriages
• Have recently had a baby

Typically, the first year of treatment is when the risk of a blood clot is at its highest. The same is true if you've had a gap in treatment of over 4 weeks. You can find out more about the risk of blood clots while taking Ovranette in section 4.4 of the Summary of Product Characteristics, which you can view online.

Breast Cancer Risk

If you have or have ever had breast cancer, you should not take the Ovranette pill. Although the risk of developing the condition is small, the likelihood will increase the longer you take it, though it will return to normal within around 10 years of coming off the tablets.

By the age of 35:

• About 16 out of 10,000 women who have never taken the pill will have breast cancer
• About 17 to 18 out of 10,000 women who take the pill for 5 years in their early twenties will have breast cancer

By the age of 45:

• About 100 out of 10,000 women who have never taken the pill will have breast cancer
• About 110 out of 10,000 women who take the pill for 5 years in their early thirties will have breast cancer

Your risk of getting breast cancer is higher if you:

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

If you are concerned about the risk of breast cancer while taking Ovranette or you are not sure if the pill is suitable for you, speak to your clinician for further advice.

Psychiatric Disorders

Some people who use hormonal contraceptives, including Ovranette, have reported depression or depressed mood as a side effect. Depression is serious and can sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts. If you experience any mood changes or symptoms of depression while taking Ovranette, contact your clinician as soon as possible. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E.

Ovranette Interactions and Warnings

Ovranette may not be suitable for everyone. There are some medical conditions and medications that can interfere with Ovranette and make it unsuitable for you. It is important to be aware of these before starting the pill.

Who Should Not Take Ovranette?

Do not take Ovranette if you:

• Or anyone in your close family has ever had a problem with their blood circulation, such as a blood clot in the leg, lungs or other organs, or a heart attack or stroke
• Are at an increased risk of getting a blood clot
• Are over 35 and you smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day
• Have very high or uncontrolled blood pressure
• Have an irregular heartbeat or a heart valve disorder
• Have angina
• Have ever had a migraine with visual disturbances, known as a migraine with aura
• Have diabetes, which has affected your circulation
• Have SLE
• Have ever had liver tumours or severe liver disease and have been told by your doctor that your liver function tests have not yet returned to normal
• Have cancer that is affected by sex hormones, such as breast or ovarian cancer
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Are allergic to ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel, or any other ingredients listed in the medication

Ovranette and Other Medicines

Before taking Ovranette, let your clinician know if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter or herbal medicines as they may interact with Ovranette.

Do not take Ovranette if you have hepatitis C and take any medicines containing:

• Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir
• Dasabuvir
• Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir
• Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir

Some medicines can stop Ovranette from working properly, such as St. John's wort and those used to treat:

• Epilepsy
• Tuberculosis
• HIV or AIDS
• Fungal infections
• Sleep disorders
• Inflammatory conditions such as gout

Overall, antibiotics do not affect how Ovranette works, so it's safe to use both at the same time. However, treatments that impact liver enzymes, such as rifabutin and rifampicin, can reduce Ovranette's efficacy.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take Ovranette if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. You should do a pregnancy test before you stop taking Ovranette.

If you are breastfeeding, your clinician may advise you not to take Ovranette. Speak to your clinician about alternative contraception.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

EMC (2024): Ovranette 150/30 micrograms Coated Tablets.
EMC: Patient Information Leaflet.
NHS (2024): How to take the combined pill.
NHS (2024): How well contraception works at preventing pregnancy.
PubMed (2014): Combination contraceptives: effects on weight.
Cochrane (2012): Combined oral contraceptive pills for treatment of acne.