BREVINOR-1 TAB 35MCG-1MG 28X4

Category: Prescription Drug

Choose eMedical online pharmacy Australia for all your prescription, non prescription and compounding pharmacy requirements.

BREVINOR is a birth control pill commonly known as a “Combined Oral Contraceptive” that contains both an oestrogen (ethinyloestradiol) and progestogen (norethisterone) hormone.

Oral contraceptives belonging to this group produce their birth control (or contraceptive) effect by preventing ovulation ( the release of an egg from the ovary) during each menstrual cycle. Combined Oral Contraceptives also cause changes to the mucus of the cervix and the lining of the womb which contribute to the contraceptive action.

If taken according to directions the combined oral contraceptives are very effective in preventing pregnancy. The failure rate of this type of contraceptive is such that for every 1,000 women using the pill for one year, two will become pregnant.

BREVINOR (like all oral contraceptives) is intended to prevent pregnancy. It does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.

BREVINOR 21 and 28 Day are only available on a prescription from your doctor.

This medicine is prescribed for you and should not be given to others.

How to take it

Swallow one BREVINOR tablet with a glass of water at the same time each day, preferably at bedtime.

BREVINOR 21 Day

Starting a hormonal contraceptive for the first time

• To begin BREVINOR 21 Day, take your first tablet on the first day of your next period, that is, the day your bleeding starts.
• Take your first tablet from the top row of the strip. Take the tablet which corresponds to the appropriate day of the week. For example, if your first day of bleeding is on TUESDAY, take a blue tablet marked “TUE”.
• Continue to take one tablet every day, following the arrows around the strip so that you are taking the correct tablet for the day of the week.
• Once all 21 blue tablets have been taken, leave 7 tablet-free days before starting your new strip.
• You can expect your period during the tablet-free week. Your protection continues during the week you are without tablets.
• On the day after your last (seventh) tablet-free day, begin the next strip with a blue tablet from the top row that matches the day of the week. Do this even if you are still bleeding.
• You should start your tablets the same day of the week every four weeks.
• Repeat this sequence of tablet taking for as long as birth control is required.
• This product is effective from the first day if taken as directed above.
• Although spotting and break-through bleeding may occur in some women, these tend to disappear in the majority of patients after the first three to four cycles.

Changing from a different oral contraceptive

If you are switching to BREVINOR 21 Day from another 21 or 28 Day oral contraceptive, follow the instructions below carefully.
If switching from a 21 day oral contraceptive:

• Stop taking your current oral contraceptive after you have taken the last active tablet.
• Leave 7 tablet-free days.
• Start the new BREVINOR 21 Day pack on the eighth day by taking a blue active tablet from the top row which corresponds to the day of the week.
• Continue to take one tablet every day, following the arrows around the strip so that you are taking the correct tablet for the day of the week.
• Once all 21 blue tablets have been taken, leave 7 tablet-free days before starting your new strip.

You must use an additional non-hormonal method of contraception (such as condoms or a diaphragm, but not the rhythm or temperature methods), until a blue tablet has been taken daily for 7 days without a break.

If switching from a 28 day oral contraceptive:

• Stop taking your current oral contraceptive after you have taken the last inactive tablet in the strip.
• Start the new BREVINOR 21 Day pack on the next day by taking a blue active tablet from the top row which corresponds to the day of the week.
• Continue to take one tablet every day, following the arrows around the strip so that you are taking the correct tablet for the day of the week.
• Once all 21 blue tablets have been taken, leave 7 tablet-free days before starting your new strip.

You must use an additional non-hormonal method of contraception (such as condoms or a diaphragm, but not the rhythm or temperature methods) until a blue tablet has been taken daily for 7 days without a break.

If you suffer from a stomach upset which results in vomiting or diarrhoea, the effectiveness of BREVINOR may be reduced.

During any period of vomiting or diarrhoea, continue taking BREVINOR tablets. Also use a non-hormonal method of contraception (such as condoms or a diaphragm, but not the rhythm or temperature methods), and continue for seven days following the episode of vomiting or diarrhoea. If these seven days extend into the 7 tablet-free days, you should start a new pack on the next day after having taken the last blue tablet from the current pack.
You may not have a period until you finish the second pack.

BREVINOR 28 Day

Starting a hormonal contraceptive for the first time

• To begin BREVINOR 28 Day, take your first tablet on the first day of your next period, that is, the day your bleeding starts.
• Take your first tablet from the top row of the green section of the strip (ie the section which contains all the blue tablets). Take the tablet which corresponds to the appropriate day of the week. For example, if your first day of bleeding is on TUESDAY, take the blue tablet marked “TUE” from the top row of the green section of the strip.
• Continue to take one tablet every day, following the arrows around the strip, until you finish all 21 blue tablets in the green section of the strip.
• Then take one orange tablet daily for the next 7 days, following the arrows so that you are taking the correct tablet for the day of the week. Taking these orange tablets helps you to remember to take a tablet every day.

You can expect your period during the week that you are taking these orange inactive tablets. Your protection continues during this week.

• On the day after your last orange tablet, begin the next strip with a blue tablet from the top row of the green section that matches the day of the week. Do this even if you are still bleeding.
• You should start your tablets the same day of the week every 4 weeks.
• Repeat this sequence of tablet taking for as long as birth control is required.

This product is effective from the first day if taken as directed above.

Although spotting and break-through bleeding may occur in some women, these tend to disappear in the majority of patients after the first three to four cycles.

Make sure you always have a new strip of tablets available, so that you can continue to take the tablets without interruption.

Changing from a different oral contraceptive

If you are switching to BREVINOR 28 Day from another 21 or 28 Day oral contraceptive, follow the instructions below carefully.
If switching from a 21 day oral contraceptive:

• Stop taking your current oral contraceptive after you have taken the last active tablet.
• Leave 7 tablet-free days.
• Start the new BREVINOR 28 Day pack on the eighth day by taking a blue active tablet from the top row of the green section which corresponds to the day of the week.
• Continue to take one tablet every day, following the arrows around the strip until you finish all 21 blue tablets in the green section of the strip.
• Then take one orange tablet daily for the next 7 days, before starting your new strip.

You must use an additional, non-hormonal method of contraception (such as condoms or a diaphragm, but not the rhythm or temperature methods) until a blue tablet has been taken daily for 7 days without a break.

If switching from a 28 day oral contraceptive:

• Stop taking your current oral contraceptive after you have taken the last inactive tablet in the strip.
• Start the new BREVINOR 28 Day pack on the next day by taking a blue active tablet from the top row which corresponds to the day of the week.
• Continue to take one tablet every day, following the arrows around the strip until you finish all 21 blue tablets in the green section of the strip.
• Then take one orange tablet daily for the next 7 days, before starting your new strip.

You must use an additional, non-hormonal method of contraception (such as condoms or a diaphragm, but not the rhythm or temperature methods) until a blue tablet has been taken daily for 7 days without a break.

If you suffer from a stomach upset which results in vomiting or diarrhoea, the effectiveness of BREVINOR may be reduced.

During any period of vomiting or diarrhoea, continue taking BREVINOR tablets. Also use a non-hormonal method of contraception (such as condoms or a diaphragm, but not the rhythm or temperature methods), and continue for seven days following the episode of vomiting or diarrhoea. If these seven days extend into the inactive orange tablet section you should start a new pack on the next day after having taken the last active blue tablet from the green section of the current pack (i.e. skip the orange inactive tablets).
You may not have a period until you finish the second pack.

When to take it

Take your tablet at approximately the same time each day, preferably at bedtime.

Taking your tablet at the same time each day will also help you remember when to take the tablets.

If you forget to take a tablet

If you forget to take BREVINOR it may not work as well in protecting you from becoming pregnant.

Do not try to make up for missed doses by taking more than one tablet at a time.
If you miss a blue active tablet:
If you are less than 12 hours late in taking your tablet, you should take that tablet at once and then take the next one at your usual time.

• If you are more than 12 hours late in taking your tablet, do not take it.
• Take the next day`s tablet at the usual time and use an additional, non-hormonal method of contraception for the next seven days (such as condoms or a diaphragm, but not the rhythm or temperature methods).
• If the seven days extend into the inactive orange tablet section (if using a 28 day pack) or the 7 tablet-free days (if using a 21 day pack),then start a new pack on the day after taking the last blue active tablet from the current pack. Take your first tablet from the top row of the new strip, then repeat the sequence of tablet taking for as long as birth control is required. This will mean that you will not have a period until you finish the second pack.
• If you miss an orange inactive tablet (if using a 28 day pack), take it as soon as you remember and continue on as before.

Additional birth control method is not necessary in this case.

If your doctor told you to take BREVINOR differently, or you are unclear about the above directions, discuss this with him or her.

If you have trouble remembering to take BREVINOR, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you miss a period

If you have missed a period you may be pregnant.

Contact your doctor to check if you are pregnant.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or pharmacist or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much BREVINOR. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Serious ill effects have not been reported in young children who have taken large doses of birth control pills.

Overdosage may cause nausea. This may be followed by vaginal bleeding in some women.

Ingredients

BREVINOR 21 Day

Each blue tablet contains

• norethisterone 500 micrograms (mcg)
• ethinyloestradiol 35 micrograms (mcg)
• magnesium stearate
• povidone
• maize starch
• lactose
• indigo carmine CI 73015.

BREVINOR 28 Day

Each blue tablet contains

• norethisterone 500 micrograms (mcg)
• ethinyloestradiol 35 micrograms (mcg)
• magnesium stearate
• povidone
• maize starch
• lactose
• indigo carmine CI 73015.

The orange inactive tablets contain

• magnesium stearate
• cellulose microcrystalline
• lactose
• sunset yellow FCF (CI No. 15985).

BREVINOR does not contain sucrose, gluten or tartrazine.