Logynon - 63 Tablets (3-month course)

Contraception Doctor Service

Logynon is a combined oral contraceptive pill (‘the Pill’). You take it to stop you getting pregnant. Logynon contains two types of female sex hormones, oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progestogen (levonorgestrel).

These hormones help to stop you from getting pregnant, just as your natural hormones would stop you conceiving again when you are already pregnant.

The COC pill protects you against getting pregnant in three ways:

• Stops the ovary from releasing an egg each month (ovulation)
• Alters the lining of the womb to make it less likely to accept a fertilised egg
• Thickens the fluid (at the neck of the womb making it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg

Logynon is a 21-day pill – you take one each day for 21 days, followed by 7 days when you take no pills. This combined contraceptive pill can be prescribed for females who experience painful or irregular menstruation in order to ease the pain and regulate the period. 

You can order Logynon tablets from our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. To see if you are suitable for this treatment, complete the online assessment and checkout. Our UK registered doctors will review the order and after approval pass the prescription to the Pharmacy team. We will then dispense and dispatch your order to your chosen address.

The Benefits Of Taking The Pill Include:

• it is one of the most reliable reversible methods of contraception if used correctly
• it doesn’t interrupt sex
• it usually makes your periods regular, lighter and less painful
• it may help with premenstrual symptoms.

A good self care guide and information for contraceptives is available on the NHS website.

NHS - Contraception

Logynon tablets, like other hormonal contraceptives, do not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.

What Is Logynon?

Logynon is a combined oral contraceptive pill, used by millions of women all over the world.

What Is In Logynon?

Logynon contains two synthetic hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

How Does Logynon Work?

Logynon works by tricking the body into thinking an egg has been released, by keeping hormone levels high. This prevents an egg being released into the ovaries each month. The hormones also work by thickening the mucus lining of the womb, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through.

How Long After Taking Logynon Are You Protected?

If you started taking Logynon on days 1-5 of your period, you will be protected immediately in your next cycle. If you started taking Logynon after day 5, you should use additional contraception measures for SEVEN DAYS, until Logynon will offer protection against pregnancy.

What Are The Side Effects Of The Contraceptive Pill? 

While side effects are usually uncommon and mild in nature, it is best to be aware of any that may occur. Some of the most common side effects include mood swings, headaches nausea, breast tenderness. For a full list of side effects and more information, you can read the Patient Information Leaflet of the medication.

What are the Advantages of the Combined Oral Contraceptive?

• Can reduce the risk of some cancers
• Can improve acne symptoms 
• Can reduce menopausal symptoms

What are the disadvantages of the Combined Oral Contraceptive?

• Can cause headaches, breast tenderness and mood changes
• Can increase blood pressure
• Can experience breakthrough bleeding

What are the advantages of Progesterone only contraceptives?

• Reduced likelihood of side effects associated with combined pill
• Can be used during breastfeeding
• Can help with premenstrual symptoms

What are the disadvantages of Progesterone only contraceptives?

• Can cause irregular periods
• Can cause periods to be more frequent, or stop altogether
• Must be taken at the same time each day

Which pill is right for me?

Prescribers will take a thorough medical history before choosing the right contraceptive pill for you. For most people, the combined contraceptive pill works best. For those who are over 35, smoke, suffer from migraine or have other risk factors your doctor will look into, the Progesterone-only pill may be more suitable.

Am I protected straight away?

Some pills, if taken correctly, will provide protection immediately, while others take time to provide contraceptive cover. Refer to your Patient Information Leaflet to find out when you are protected on your pill.

Do I still need to use a condom?

Although you will be covered against pregnancy with the pill, it is always advised to use a condom. This is to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

I forgot to take my pill – what should I do?

You should always take your pill around the same time each day to ensure maximum contraceptive cover. Different pills vary in the amount of time you can delay your dose. Always refer to your prescribed medication’s Patient Information Leaflet to find more detailed information relating to missed doses.

Like all medicines, Logynoncan cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. While side effects are usually uncommon and mild in nature, it is best to be aware of any that may occur. If you get any side effects, particularly if severe and persistent, or have any change to your health that you think may be due to Logynon, please talk to your doctor.

An increased risk of blood clots in your arteries is present for all women taking combined hormonal contraceptives.

Serious side effects – See a doctor straight away

Rare side effects (between 1 and 10 in every 10,000 users may be affected)

• harmful blood clots in a vein or artery for example:
• in a leg or foot (i.e. DVT)
• in a lung (i.e. PE)
• heart attack
• stroke
• mini-stroke or temporary stroke-like symptoms, known as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• blood clots in the liver, stomach/intestine, kidneys or eye. The chance of having a blood clot may be higher if you have any other conditions that increase this risk. Contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms of angioedema: swollen face, tongue and/or throat and/or difficulty swallowing or hives potentially with difficulty breathing.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction:
  ▪ swelling of the hands, face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat. A swollen tongue/throat may lead to difficulty swallowing and breathing
  ▪ a red bumpy rash (hives) and itching.
• Signs of breast cancer include:
  ▪ dimpling of the skin
  ▪ changes in the nipple
  ▪ any lumps you can see or feel.
• Signs of cancer of the cervix include:
  ▪ vaginal discharge that smells and/or contains blood
  ▪ unusual vaginal bleeding
  ▪ pelvic pain
  ▪ painful sex.
• Signs of severe liver problems include:
  ▪ severe pain in your upper abdomen
  ▪ yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
  ▪ inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
  ▪ your whole body starts itching.

If you think you may have any of these, see a doctor straight away. You may need to stop taking Logynon.

Less serious side effects
Common side effects (between 100 and 1000 in every 10,000 users may be affected)

• feeling sick
• stomach ache
• putting on weight
• headaches
• depressive moods or mood swings
• sore or painful breasts

Uncommon side effects (between 10 and 100 in every 10,000 users may be affected)

• being sick and stomach upsets
• fluid retention
• migraine
• loss of interest in sex
• breast enlargement
• skin rash, which may be itchy

Rare side effects (between 1 and 10 in every 10,000 users may be affected)

• poor tolerance of contact lenses
• losing weight
• increase of interest in sex
• vaginal or breast discharge

Other side effects reported

• Bleeding and spotting between your periods can sometimes occur for the first few months but this usually stops once your body has adjusted to Logynon. If it continues, becomes heavy or starts again, contact your doctor.
• Chloasma (yellow brown patches on the skin). This may happen even if you have been using Logynon for a number of months. Chloasma may be reduced by avoiding too much sunlight and/or UV lamps.
• Occurrence or deterioration of the movement disorder chorea
• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Conditions that may worsen during pregnancy or previous use of the Pill:
  - yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
  - persistent itching (pruritus)
  - kidney or liver problems
  - gallstones
  - certain rare medical conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus
  - blister-like rash (herpes gestationis) whilst pregnant
  - an inherited form of deafness (otosclerosis)
  - a personal or family history of a form of sickle cell disease
  - swelling of body parts (hereditary angioedema)
  - an inherited disease called porphyria
  - cancer of the cervix.

For a full list of side effects, read the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, our Rightdose pharmacists or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Patient Information Leaflet Logynon Coated Tablets (Packs of 3x21 Tablets)

Before you start using Logynon you should read the information on blood clots in the Patient Information Leaflet. It is particularly important to read the symptoms of a blood clot and it’s important that you understand the benefits and risks of taking the Pill before you start taking it, or when deciding whether to carry on taking it. Although the Pill is suitable for most healthy women it isn’t suitable for everyone.

• Your doctor will ask about you and your family’s medical problems, check your blood pressure and exclude the likelihood of you being pregnant. You may also need other checks, such as a breast examination, but only if these examinations are necessary for you, or if you have any special concerns.
• While you’re on the Pill
  ▪ You will need regular check-ups with your doctor or family planning nurse, usually when you need another prescription of the Pill.
• You should go for regular cervical smear tests.
• Check your breasts and nipples every month for changes – tell your doctor if you can see or feel anything odd, such as lumps or dimpling of the skin.
• If you need a blood test, tell your doctor that you are taking the Pill, because the Pill can affect the results of some tests.
• If you're going to have an operation, make sure your doctor knows about it. You may need to stop taking the Pill at least 4 weeks before the operation. This is to reduce the risk of a blood clot. Your doctor will tell you when you can start taking the Pill again.

Other medicines and Logynon
If you ever need to take another medicine at the same time as being on the Pill, always tell your doctor, pharmacist or dentist that you’re taking Logynon. Also check the leaflets that come with all your medicines to see if they can be taken with hormonal contraceptives.

Some medicines can have an influence on the blood levels of Logynon and can stop it from working
properly – for example:

• some medicines used to treat epilepsy
• some medicines used to treat HIV and Hepatitis C Virus infections (so-called protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors)
• griseofulvin (an antifungal medicine)
• certain antibiotics
• certain sedatives (called barbiturates)
• St. John’s Wort (a herbal remedy).

If you do need to take one of these medicines, Logynon may not be suitable for you or you may need to use extra contraception for a while. Your doctor, pharmacist or dentist can tell you if this is necessary and for how long.

Logynon can also affect how well other medicines work. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose
of your other medicine. In addition, Logynon can also interfere with the results of some blood tests, so always tell your doctor that you are taking Logynon if you have a blood test.

Do not use Logynon if you have hepatitis C and are taking medicinal products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir, as these products may cause increases in liver function blood test results (increase in ALT liver enzyme). Your doctor will prescribe another type of contraceptive prior to the start of the treatment with these medicinal products. Logynon can be restarted approximately 2 weeks after completion of this treatment. 

How to store Logynon

• Do not use Logynon after the expiry date shown on the strip.
• Do not store above 25°C and protect from light.
• Do not throw away any medicines down a drain or into a bin. Ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicines you do not want. This will help to protect the environment.

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.

Before using any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Logynon tablet is for oral use only.

How to take Logynon

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Logynon comes in strips of 21 pills (6 light brown, 5 white and 10 ochre-coloured tablets), each marked with a day of the week.

• Swallow one tablet per day with water for 21 days. Do not chew the pill. Take your pill at the same time every day.
• Start by taking pill number 1 and mark that day of the week under the heading “I took my first pill on” by piercing the small unnumbered foil disc. This will remind you on which day you started taking the course of pills.
• Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip. Take one pill each day, until you have finished all 21 pills.
• Then have seven pill-free days. After you have taken all 21 pills in the strip, you have seven days when you take no pills. So, if you take the last pill of one pack on a Friday, you will take the first pill of your next pack on the Saturday of the following week.

Within a few days of taking the last pill from the strip, you should have a withdrawal bleed like a period. This bleed may not have finished when it is time to start your next strip of pills.

You don’t need to use extra contraception during these seven pill-free days – as long as you have taken your pills correctly and start the next strip of pills on time.

Then start your next strip

Start taking your next strip of Logynon after the seven pill-free days – even if you are still bleeding. Always start the new strip on time.

Starting Logynon
As a new user or starting the Pill again after a break It is best to take your first Logynon pill on the first day of your next period. By starting in this way, you will have contraceptive protection with your first pill.

Changing to Logynon from another contraceptive Pill

• If you are currently taking a 21-day Pill: start Logynon the next day after the end of the previous strip. You will have contraceptive protection with your first pill. You will not have a bleed until after your first strip of Logynon.
• If you are taking a 28-day Pill: start taking Logynon the day after your last active pill. You will have contraceptive protection with your first pill. You will not have a bleed until after your first strip of Logynon.
• Or, if you are taking a progestogen-only Pill (POP or ‘mini Pill’): start Logynon on the first day of bleeding, even if you have already taken the progestogen-only Pill for that day. You will have contraceptive cover straight away.

Starting Logynon after a miscarriage or abortion

• If you have had a miscarriage or an abortion during the first three months of pregnancy, your doctor may tell you to start taking Logynon straight away. This means that you will have contraceptive protection with your first pill.
• If you have had a miscarriage or an abortion after the third month of pregnancy, ask your doctor for advice. You may need to use extra contraception, such as condoms, for a short time.
• Contraception after having a baby
  If you have just had a baby, your doctor may advise you that Logynon should be started 21 days after delivery provided that you are fully mobile. You do not have to wait for a period. You will need to use another method of contraception, such as a condom, until you start Logynon and for the first 7 days of pill taking.

Missed a period – could you be pregnant?
Occasionally, you may miss a withdrawal bleed. This could mean that you are pregnant, but that is very unlikely if you have taken your pills correctly. Start your next strip at the normal time. If you think that you might have put yourself at risk of pregnancy (for example, by missing pills or taking other medicines), or if you miss a second bleed, you should do a pregnancy test. You can buy these from the chemist or get a free test at your family planning clinic or doctors surgery. If you are pregnant, stop taking Logynon and see your doctor.

Taking more than one pill should not cause harm
It is unlikely that taking more than one pill will do you any harm, but you may feel sick, vomit or have some vaginal bleeding. Even girls who have not yet started to menstruate but have accidentally taken this medicine may experience such bleeding. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

When you want to get pregnant
If you are planning a baby, it’s best to use another method of contraception after stopping Logynon until you have had a proper period. Your doctor or midwife relies on the date of your last natural period to tell you when your baby is due. However, it will not cause you or the baby any harm if you get pregnant straight away.

Taking Logynon with food and drink
There are no special instructions about food and drink while on Logynon.

Logynon contains lactose and sucrose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before using Logynon.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not use Logynon if you are pregnant. If you think you might be pregnant, do a pregnancy test to confirm that you are before you stop taking Logynon. If you are breastfeeding, your doctor or family planning nurse may advise you not to take Logynon. They will be able to suggest alternative contraception. Breastfeeding may not stop you getting pregnant.

Driving and using machines
Logynon has no known effect on the ability to drive or use machines.

When you should not use Logynon

You should not use Logynon if you have any of the conditions listed below. If you do have any of the conditions listed below, you must tell your doctor. Your doctor will discuss with you what other form of birth control would be more appropriate.

When should you contact your doctor? Seek urgent medical attention

• if you notice possible signs of a blood clot that may mean you are suffering from a blood clot in the leg (i.e. deep vein thrombosis), a blood clot in the lung (i.e. pulmonary embolism), a heart attack or a stroke.
• For a description of the symptoms of these serious side effects please read the Patient Information Leaflet.

Do not use Logynon

• If you have (or have ever had) a blood clot in a blood vessel of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT), your lungs (pulmonary embolus, PE) or other organs
• If you know you have a disorder affecting your blood clotting – for instance, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, antithrombin-III deficiency, Factor V Leiden or antiphospholipid antibodies
• If you need an operation or if you are off your feet for a long time 
• If you have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• If you have (or have ever had) angina pectoris (a condition that causes severe chest pain and may be a first sign of a heart attack) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA – temporary stroke symptoms)
• If you have any of the following diseases that may increase your risk of a clot in the arteries:
  - severe diabetes with blood vessel damage
  - very high blood pressure
  - a very high level of fat in the blood (cholesterol or triglycerides)
  - a condition known as hyperhomocysteinaemia
• If you have (or have ever had) a type of migraine called ‘migraine with aura’
• If you have or have ever had breast cancer
• If you have ever had a severe liver disease, and you have been told by your doctor that your liver function test results are not yet back to normal
• If you have ever had liver tumours
• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the ingredients in Logynon.

Do not use Logynon if you have hepatitis C and are taking medicinal products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir.

Blood clots

Using a combined hormonal contraceptive such as Logynon increases your risk of developing a blood clot compared with not using one. In rare cases a blood clot can block vessels and cause serious problems.

Blood clots can develop:

• in veins (referred to as a ‘venous thrombosis’, ‘venous thromboembolism’ or VTE);
• in the arteries (referred to as an ‘arterial thrombosis’, ‘arterial thromboembolism’ or ATE).
• It is important to remember that the overall risk of having a harmful blood clot due to Logynon is small.

Warnings and Precautions

Tell your doctor if any of the following conditions apply to you.

• If you experience symptoms of angioedema such as swollen face, tongue and/or throat and/or difficulty swallowing or hives potentially with difficulty breathing contact a doctor immediately. Products containing oestrogens may cause or worsen the symptoms of hereditary and acquired angioedema.
• If you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (chronic inflammatory bowel disease)
• If you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE – a disease affecting your natural defence system)
• If you have haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS – a disorder of blood clotting causing failure of the kidneys)
• If you have sickle cell anaemia (an inherited disease of the red blood cells)
• If you have inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• If you have elevated levels of fat in the blood (hypertriglyceridaemia) or a positive family history for this condition. Hypertriglyceridaemia has been associated with an increased risk of developing pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• If you need an operation, or you are off your feet for a long time 
• If you have just given birth you are at an increased risk of blood clots. You should ask your doctor how soon after delivery you can start taking Logynon
• If you have an inflammation in the veins under the skin (superficial thrombophlebitis)
• If you have varicose veins
• If you have diabetes
• If you or your close family have ever had problems with your heart, or circulation such as high blood pressure
• If you or your close family have ever had problems with blood clotting
• If you have the inherited disease called porphyria
• If you are overweight (obese)
• If you have migraines
• If you have any illness that worsened during pregnancy or previous use of the Pill.

Your risk of breast cancer is higher:

• if you have a close relative (mother, sister or grandmother) who has had breast cancer
• if you are seriously overweight.

See a doctor as soon as possible if you notice any changes in your breasts, such as dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple or any lumps you can see or feel.

Taking the Pill has also been linked to liver diseases, such as jaundice and non-cancer liver tumours,
but this is rare. Very rarely, the Pill has also been linked with some forms of liver cancer in women who have taken it for a long time.

See a doctor as soon as possible if you get severe pain in your stomach, or yellow skin or eyes (jaundice). You may need to stop taking Logynon.

Psychiatric disorders
Some women using hormonal contraceptives including Logynon have reported depression or depressed mood. Depression can be serious and may sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible.

What Logynon contains

The active substances are levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol.

• Each white tablet contains 75 micrograms levonorgestrel and 40 micrograms ethinylestradiol
• Each light brown tabletcontains 50 micrograms levonorgestrel and 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol.
• Each ochre tablet contains 125 micrograms levonorgestrel and 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol

All tablets are sugar-coated.

The other ingredients are: Lactose, maize starch, povidone, magnesium stearate (E572), sucrose, macrogol 6000, calcium carbonate (E170), talc, glycol montanate, glycerin (E422), titanium dioxide (E171), ferric oxide pigment (red and yellow) (E172).

What Logynon looks like and contents of the pack

Each box of Logynon contains three strips of 21 coated tablets. Logynon is available in packs of one, three and fifty.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Logynon tablets are contained in blister packs consisting of transparent films made of polyvinyl chloride and metallic foils made of aluminium. Each blister pack contains 6 light brown tablets, 5 white tablets and 10 ochre tablets.