Regulon(Desorelle 30)
Ethinylestradiol + Desogestrel
Regulon and Desorelle 30 are different trade names for the same drug.
Important information about combined hormonal contraceptives
Regulon is a combined oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol (estrogen) and desogestrel (progestogen) in small doses.
The mechanism of action of Regulon involves inhibiting ovulation and causing changes in the consistency of cervical mucus.
When used correctly, Regulon provides an effective and reversible method of contraception. However, in certain situations, its contraceptive effectiveness may be reduced or it may be necessary to discontinue the drug (see section 2). In such cases, it is recommended to either abstain from sexual intercourse or use other contraceptive methods, such as condoms or spermicides, to ensure effective contraception.
It should be remembered that combined oral contraceptives, such as Regulon, do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (such as AIDS). Only the use of condoms has a protective effect.
Before starting to take Regulon, one should read the information about blood clots (thrombosis) in section 2. It is especially important to read about the symptoms of blood clots (see section 2 "Blood clots").
Regulon should not be used to delay the start of bleeding.
In exceptional cases, when there is a need to delay the start of bleeding, one should consult a doctor.
Before starting to use Regulon, the doctor will ask the patient a few questions about her health and the health of her close relatives. The doctor will also measure blood pressure and, depending on the individual case, may perform some other tests.
Regulon should not be used if the patient has any of the following conditions. If the patient has any of the following conditions, she should inform her doctor. The doctor will discuss with the patient which other contraceptive method will be more suitable.
Regulon should not be used in patients with hepatitis C and taking medicinal products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (see also section "Regulon and other drugs").
Before starting to use Regulon, one should discuss it with a doctor or pharmacist.
When should one contact a doctor?
One should immediately contact a doctor
In order to get a description of the serious side effects mentioned, see "How to recognize blood clots".
In certain situations, one should be particularly careful when using Regulon or any other combined oral contraceptive.
Regular medical check-ups may also be necessary.
If these symptoms occur or worsen during the use of Regulon, one should also tell the doctor.
Sydenham's chorea (a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary movements of the body);
The use of combined hormonal contraceptives, such as Regulon, is associated with an increased risk of blood clots, compared to not using hormonal contraceptives. In rare cases, a blood clot can block a blood vessel and cause serious complications.
Blood clots can occur
Not all patients who have blood clots will recover fully. In rare cases, the effects of blood clots can be permanent or, very rarely, fatal.
One should immediately contact a doctor if any of the following symptoms are noticed.
Is the patient experiencing any of these symptoms?
Why is the patient likely to be suffering
If the patient is unsure, one should contact a doctor, as some of these symptoms, such as coughing or shortness of breath, can be mistaken for milder conditions, such as a respiratory infection (e.g., a cold).
Pulmonary embolism
Symptoms usually occur in one eye:
loss of vision. | |
| Myocardial infarction |
| Stroke |
| Blood clots blocking other blood vessels |
The risk of forming blood clots in a vein is highest during the first year of using combined hormonal contraceptives for the first time. The risk may also be higher when resuming the use of combined hormonal contraceptives (the same or a different drug) after a break of 4 weeks or more.
After the first year, the risk decreases, although it is always higher compared to not using combined hormonal contraceptives.
If the patient stops using Regulon, the risk of blood clots returns to normal within a few weeks.
The risk of blood clots associated with Regulon is small, but some factors can increase this risk. The risk is higher:
The risk of blood clots increases with the number of risk factors present in the patient.
Long-haul flights (>4 hours) may temporarily increase the risk of blood clots, especially if the patient has another risk factor.
It is essential to tell the doctor if any of these risk factors are present, even if the patient is unsure. The doctor may decide to stop the use of Regulon.
One should inform the doctor if any of the above conditions change during the use of Regulon, e.g., if the patient starts smoking, if someone in her immediate family is diagnosed with a blood clot without a known cause, or if the patient gains significant weight.
Similarly to blood clots in veins, blood clots in an artery can have serious consequences, such as a heart attack or stroke.
It is essential to note that the risk of heart attack or stroke associated with Regulon is very small, but it may increase:
If the patient has more than one of the above conditions or if any of them are severe, the risk of blood clots may be even higher.
One should inform the doctor if any of the above conditions change during the use of Regulon, e.g., if the patient starts smoking, if someone in her immediate family is diagnosed with a blood clot without a known cause, or if the patient gains significant weight.
In women using oral contraceptives, breast cancer is slightly more common than in women of the same age who do not use them. This small increase in the incidence of breast cancer gradually disappears during the 10 years following the cessation of oral contraceptive use. It is not known whether this difference is caused by the use of oral contraceptives. It may be related to the fact that women using oral contraceptives are more likely to have medical check-ups and breast cancer is diagnosed earlier in them.
In women using oral contraceptives, benign liver tumors have been reported in rare cases, and malignant liver tumors have been reported in even rarer cases. If the patient experiences unusual, severe abdominal pain, she should contact her doctor.
Some women using hormonal contraceptives, including Regulon, have reported depression or low mood. Depression can be severe and sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts. If mood changes or symptoms of depression occur, one should contact a doctor as soon as possible to receive further medical advice.
During the first few months of taking Regulon, unexpected bleeding (bleeding outside of the withdrawal week) may occur. If such bleeding persists for more than a few months or starts after a few months, the doctor should investigate the cause.
If all the tablets were taken correctly, there was no vomiting or severe diarrhea, and no other drugs were taken, it is very unlikely that the woman is pregnant.
If the expected withdrawal bleeding does not occur for two consecutive times, it may indicate pregnancy.
One should immediately contact a doctor. One should only start the next pack of Regulon when she is sure she is not pregnant.
The safety and efficacy of Regulon in adolescents under 18 years of age have not been established. There are no available data.
One should tell the doctor or pharmacist about all the drugs the patient is currently taking or has recently taken, as well as any drugs she plans to take. One should also inform any other doctor or dentist who prescribes any other drug (or pharmacist) about the use of Regulon. Doctors may advise whether additional contraceptive methods should be used (e.g., condoms) and for how long.
Regulon should not be used in patients with hepatitis C and taking medicinal products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir, as these drugs may cause abnormal liver function test results (increased liver enzyme activity). Before starting these drugs, the doctor will prescribe a different type of contraception.
One can resume taking Regulon after about 2 weeks after the end of the above-mentioned treatment. See section "When not to use Regulon".
Certain drugs may affect the blood levels of Regulon, leading to reduced contraceptive effectivenessand unexpected bleeding. These include:
The following drugs may reduce the tolerance of Regulon:
Regulon may affect the action of other drugs, such as:
cytosporine (a drug used to prevent organ rejection after transplants),
the antiepileptic drug lamotrigine (which may lead to an increased frequency of seizures),
ti-zanidine (a drug used to treat muscle spasticity),
levothyroxine (a drug used to treat hypothyroidism),
theophylline (a drug used to treat asthma).
Before taking any drug, one should consult a doctor or pharmacist.
One should inform the doctor or laboratory staff about the use of oral contraceptives, as oral contraceptives may affect the results of some laboratory tests.
If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, thinks she may be pregnant, or plans to have a child, she should consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking this drug.
Regulon should not be used when the patient is pregnant. If the patient is pregnant or suspects she is pregnant, she should stop using Regulon immediately and inform her doctor without delay.
The use of Regulon is not recommended during breastfeeding. If the patient is breastfeeding and wants to use oral contraceptives during this time, she should contact her doctor.
While using Regulon, one can drive vehicles and operate machines.
If the patient has been diagnosed with intolerance to some sugars, she should contact her doctor before taking Regulon.
This drug should always be used as directed by the doctor. In case of doubts, one should consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Each pack of Regulon contains 1 blister pack of 21 coated tablets. The special marking of the blisters with symbols of the days of the week makes it easier to control the regular use of oral contraceptives.
Each tablet in the pack is marked with a symbol of the day of the week on which it should be taken (see "Translation of day symbols on the packaging" at the end of the leaflet). One should take 1 tablet per day for 21 consecutive days, following the direction of the arrow on the blister pack, until the pack is empty.
After taking all 21 tablets from the blister pack, there is a 7-day break in taking the tablets. During the 2nd or 3rd day of the break, withdrawal bleeding should occur, similar to menstrual bleeding.
One should start taking tablets from the next pack on the 8th day (after the 7-day break), even if the bleeding has not stopped yet. With regular use of Regulon, the start of taking tablets from the next pack will always fall on the same day of the week, and bleeding will occur on the same day of the month.
Tablets should always be taken at the same time of day.
Taking tablets in the morning (the first action of the day) or late in the evening (the last action before bedtime) can facilitate regular use.
Tablets should be swallowed whole, with water if necessary.
In case the patient has not used hormonal contraceptives in the previous month
One should start taking tablets on the first day of the patient's natural menstrual cycle (i.e., on the first day of menstruation). It is allowed to start taking tablets between the 2nd and 5th day, but in this case, during the first cycle, additional mechanical contraceptive methods (e.g., condoms) should be used for the first 7 days of tablet use.
Switching from another combined contraceptive (tablet, intrauterine system, transdermal patch)
The patient should start using Regulon the next day after taking the last active tablet of the previous oral contraceptive, or at the latest, on the day after the usual break in tablet use or after taking the last placebo tablet of the previous oral contraceptive. There is no need to use additional contraceptive methods.
If the patient previously used an intrauterine system or transdermal patch, she should start taking Regulon on the day of its removal, or at the latest, on the day of its next use. There is no need to use additional contraceptive methods.
Switching from progestogen-only contraceptives (mini-pills, injections, implants)
The patient can switch from a progestogen-only pill (from an implant on the day of its removal or from injections on the day of the planned next injection) to Regulon at any time, but in all cases, additional contraceptive methods should be used for the first 7 days of tablet use.
Use after miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy
One should start using tablets immediately. There is no need to use additional contraceptive methods.
Use after childbirth or miscarriage in the second trimester of pregnancy
For breastfeeding women, see the section "Pregnancy and breastfeeding".
The doctor will advise the patient to start using tablets between the 21st and 28th day after childbirth or miscarriage in the second trimester. If the use of tablets is started later, additional mechanical contraceptive methods (e.g., condoms) should be used for the first 7 days of tablet use. However, if the woman has had sexual intercourse, she should make sure she is not pregnant before starting to use tablets or wait for her first menstrual period.
If an overdose of Regulon occurs, there is no risk of serious health disorders, although nausea, vomiting, or slight vaginal bleeding may occur in young girls. If such symptoms occur, one should contact a doctor, who will provide appropriate treatment if necessary.
If a dose of Regulon is missed, one should follow the rules below.
If the tablet is delayed by less than 12 hours,the contraceptive protection is not reduced. The patient should take the missed tablet as soon as she remembers and take the next tablets at the usual time.
If the tablet is delayed by more than 12 hours,the contraceptive protection may be reduced. The more missed tablets, the higher the risk of reduced contraceptive effectiveness. A higher risk of pregnancy exists if a tablet is missed at the beginning or end of the cycle. Please refer to the information below (see also the scheme).
One should consult a doctor.
In the case of missed tablets, one should follow the two basic rules below:
In accordance with this, in daily practice, the doctor may provide the following advice:
Week 1
The patient should take the last missed tablet as soon as she remembers, even if it means taking 2 tablets at the same time. Then she should continue taking the tablets at the usual time of day. For the next 7 days, she should use additional mechanical contraceptive methods, such as condoms. If there was sexual intercourse during the 7 days preceding the day the tablet was missed, one should consider the possibility of pregnancy. The more tablets are missed, and the closer it is to the break in tablet use, the higher the risk of pregnancy.
Week 2
The patient should take the last missed tablet as soon as she remembers, even if it means taking 2 tablets at the same time. Then she should continue taking the tablets at the usual time of day. If the tablets were taken correctly during the 7 days preceding the day the tablet was missed, there is no need to use additional contraceptive methods. However, if this was not the case or if the patient missed more than 1 tablet, additional contraceptive methods should be used for 7 days.
Week 3
The risk of reduced contraceptive protection is inevitable due to the upcoming break in tablet use. However, this can be prevented by adjusting the way tablets are taken. Therefore, there is no need to use additional contraceptive methods if one of the two alternative rules below is followed, provided that all tablets were taken correctly during the 7 days preceding the day the tablet was missed. If this was not the case, one should follow the first of the two alternative rules below and use additional contraceptive methods for the next 7 days.
If the patient misses a tablet and does not experience withdrawal bleeding during the first break in tablet use, one should consider the possibility of pregnancy.
More than one missed tablet in a cycle | Consult a doctor |
yes
week 1
sexual intercourse in the week preceding the missed tablet
no
week 2
Missed only 1 tablet (delay of more than 12 hours)
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If side effects occur, especially severe and persistent ones, or changes in health that the patient considers related to the use of Regulon, consult a doctor.
Immediately contact a doctor if the patient experiences any of the following symptoms of angioedema: swelling of the face, tongue, and/or throat, and/or difficulty swallowing or urticaria, potentially with difficulty breathing (see also the section "Warnings and Precautions").
All women using combined hormonal contraceptives have an increased risk of developing blood clots in veins (venous thromboembolism) or blood clots in arteries (arterial thromboembolism). For detailed information on the various risk factors associated with the use of combined hormonal contraceptives, refer to section 2 "Important Information Before Using Regulon".
Frequent (may occur in up to 1 in 10 people):depression, mood changes, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, breast pain, breast tenderness, weight gain.
Less frequent (may occur in up to 1 in 100 people):fluid retention, decreased libido, migraine, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, urticaria, breast enlargement.
Rare (may occur in up to 1 in 1000 people):hypersensitivity, increased libido, eye irritation due to contact lenses, skin disorders (erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum), abnormal cervical smear, breast discharge, weight loss.
Harmful blood clots in a vein or artery, for example:
o
in the leg or foot (e.g., deep vein thrombosis),
o
in the lungs (e.g., pulmonary embolism),
o
heart attack,
o
stroke,
o
mini-stroke or transient stroke-like symptoms, known as a transient ischemic attack,
blood clots in the liver, stomach, intestine, kidneys, or eye.
The likelihood of developing blood clots may be higher if the patient has any other risk factors (see section 2 for further information on risk factors for blood clots and symptoms of blood clots).
If any side effects occur, including any side effects not listed in the leaflet, tell the doctor or pharmacist. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Monitoring of Adverse Reactions to Medicinal Products, Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products,
Al. Jerozolimskie 181C,
02-222 Warsaw,
Phone: +48 22 49 21 301,
Fax: +48 22 49 21 309,
Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Reporting side effects will help gather more information on the safety of the medication.
Store the medicine out of sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 30°C. Store in the original package.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the package. The expiry date refers to the last day of the given month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help protect the environment.
The active substances are ethinylestradiol and desogestrel. One coated tablet contains 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 150 micrograms of desogestrel.
Other ingredients are:
Core: potato starch, stearic acid, all-rac-α-tocopherol, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, colloidal silica anhydrous, povidone K 30.
Coating: hypromellose, macrogol 6000, propylene glycol.
White or almost white, round, biconvex tablets with engraved "RG" on one side and "P8" on the other side.
The cardboard box contains 1 blister of 21 coated tablets. The package includes a cardboard sachet in which the blister should be placed.
For more detailed information, contact the marketing authorization holder or parallel importer.
Gedeon Richter Plc.
Gyömrői út 19-21
1103 Budapest
Hungary
Gedeon Richter Plc.
Gyömrői út 19-21
1103 Budapest
Hungary
Medezin Sp. z o.o.
ul. Zbąszyńska 3
91-342 Łódź
Medezin Sp. z o.o.
ul. Zbąszyńska 3
91-342 Łódź
Marketing authorization number in Belgium, the country of export: BE339421
Parallel import authorization number: 287/19
Translation of the day of the week symbols on the packaging:
[Information about the trademark]
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