PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Antin 0.03 mg/3 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Ethinylestradiol/drospirenone
Read this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Important things to know about combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs):
Contents of the pack:
Antin is a contraceptive and is used to prevent pregnancy.
Each tablet contains a small amount of two different female hormones, called ethinylestradiol and drospirenone.
Contraceptives that contain two hormones are called combined contraceptives.
General considerations
Before starting to take Antin, you should read the information about blood clots in section 2. It is particularly important that you read the symptoms of a blood clot (see section 2 "Blood clots").
Before starting to take this medication, your doctor will ask you some questions about your personal and family medical history. Your doctor will also measure your blood pressure and, depending on your state of health, may perform other tests.
This prospectus describes several situations in which you should interrupt the use of Antin, or in which the effect of Antin may decrease. In such situations, you should not have sexual intercourse or should take additional non-hormonal contraceptive precautions, such as using a condom or another barrier method.
Do not use the rhythm method or the temperature method. These methods may not be reliable since Antin alters the monthly changes in body temperature and cervical mucus.
Antin, like other hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.
When not to use Antin
You should not use Antin if you have any of the conditions listed below. Inform your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below. Your doctor will discuss with you what other form of contraception would be more suitable.
When to be careful with Antin
When should you consult your doctor? Seek urgent medical attention
To obtain a description of the symptoms of these serious side effects, see "How to recognize a blood clot". |
Tell your doctor if you suffer from any of the following conditions.
In some situations, you will need to be careful while using Antin or any other combined hormonal contraceptive, and it may be necessary for your doctor to perform periodic checks. If the condition develops or worsens while you are using Antin, you should also inform your doctor.
BLOOD CLOTS
The use of a combined hormonal contraceptive like Antin increases your risk of suffering a blood clot compared to not using it. In rare cases, a blood clot can block blood vessels and cause serious problems.
Blood clots can form:
Recovery from blood clots is not always complete. In rare cases, there can be lasting effects or, very rarely, they can be fatal.
It is essential to remember that the overall risk of a harmful blood clot due to Antin is small.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A BLOOD CLOT
Seek urgent medical attention if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms.
Are you experiencing any of these signs? | What might you be suffering from? |
| Deep vein thrombosis |
If you are unsure, consult a doctor, as some of these symptoms, such as cough or shortness of breath, can be confused with a milder condition like a respiratory infection (e.g., a "common cold"). | Pulmonary embolism |
Symptoms that occur more frequently in one eye:
| Retinal vein thrombosis (blood clot in the eye). |
| Heart attack. |
Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke can be brief, with almost immediate and complete recovery, but you should still seek urgent medical attention as you may be at risk of having another stroke. | Stroke |
| Blood clots that block other blood vessels. |
BLOOD CLOTS IN A VEIN
What can happen if a blood clot forms in a vein?
When is the risk of a blood clot in a vein higher?
The risk of a blood clot in a vein is higher during the first year in which you take a combined hormonal contraceptive for the first time. The risk may also be higher if you start taking a combined hormonal contraceptive (the same medication or a different one) after an interruption of 4 weeks or more.
After the first year, the risk decreases, but it is always slightly higher than if you were not taking a combined hormonal contraceptive.
When you stop taking Antin, your risk of a blood clot returns to normal within a few weeks.
What is the risk of a blood clot?
The risk depends on your natural risk of VTE and the type of combined hormonal contraceptive you are taking.
The overall risk of a blood clot in the leg or lung (DVT or PE) with Antin is small.
Risk of a blood clot in a year | |
Women who do not usea combined hormonal contraceptive pill/patch/ring and are not pregnant | About 2 out of 10,000 women |
Women who use a combined hormonal contraceptive pill that contains levonorgestrel, norethisterone, or norgestimate | About 5-7 out of 10,000 women |
Women who use Antin | About 9-12 out of 10,000 women |
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in a vein
The risk of a blood clot with Antin is small, but some conditions increase the risk. Your risk is higher:
The risk of a blood clot increases with the number of conditions you have.
Long-distance flights (more than 4 hours) may temporarily increase the risk of a blood clot, especially if you have any of the other risk factors listed.
It is essential to inform your doctor if you suffer from any of the above conditions, even if you are not sure. Your doctor may decide that you should stop using Antin.
If any of the above conditions change while you are using Antin, for example, a close relative experiences a thrombosis without a known cause, or you gain a lot of weight, inform your doctor.
BLOOD CLOTS IN AN ARTERY
What can happen if a blood clot forms in an artery?
Like a blood clot in a vein, a clot in an artery can cause serious problems. For example, it can cause a heart attack or a stroke.
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in an artery
It is essential to note that the risk of a heart attack or stroke due to Antin is very small, but it may increase:
If you have one or more of these conditions or if any of them are particularly severe, the risk of a blood clot may be further increased.
If any of the above conditions change while you are using Antin, for example, you start smoking, a close relative experiences a thrombosis without a known cause, or you gain a lot of weight, inform your doctor.
Antin and cancer
Women who use combined contraceptives have a slightly higher rate of breast cancer, but it is not known if this is due to the treatment. For example, it may be that more tumors are detected in women who take combined contraceptives because they are examined by a doctor more frequently. The incidence of breast tumors decreases gradually after stopping combined hormonal contraceptives.
It is essential to have your breasts examined regularly, and you should go to your doctor if you notice any lump.
Rarely, benign liver tumors, and even more rarely, malignant liver tumors, have been reported in users of hormonal contraceptives. Go to your doctor if you experience severe abdominal pain.
Ovarian cancer occurs less frequently than breast cancer. The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogens alone or with a combination of estrogens and progestogens has been associated with a slightly higher risk of ovarian cancer.
The risk of ovarian cancer varies with age. For example, in women between 50 and 54 years old who do not take HRT, about 2 cases of ovarian cancer have been observed per 2,000 women over a 5-year period. In women taking HRT for 5 years, about 3 cases have been observed per 2,000 patients (i.e., about 1 additional case).
Antin and psychiatric disorders
Some women who use hormonal contraceptives like Antin have reported depression or a depressed mood. Depression can be severe and sometimes can induce suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms, contact your doctor for additional medical advice as soon as possible.
Use of Antin with other medications
Always inform the doctor who prescribed Antin about the medications you are taking, including non-prescription medications and herbal products.
Take one Antin tablet every day with a glass of water if necessary. You can take the tablets with or without food, but every day at approximately the same time.
A pack (blister) contains 21 tablets. The day of the week on which you should take the tablet is printed next to each tablet. For example, if you start on a Wednesday, you should take a tablet with "WED" on the side. Follow the direction of the arrow on the pack until you have taken all 21 tablets.
Then, you should not take any tablets for 7 days. During those 7 days when you do not take tablets (called the tablet-free period), you should have your period. Usually, your period, which can also be called withdrawal bleeding, starts on the second or third day of the tablet-free period.
On the eighth day after taking the last Antin tablet (i.e., after the 7-day tablet-free period), start the next pack, even if you have not finished your period. This means that you should start the next pack on the same day of the week that you started the previous one, and your period should occur during the same days every month.
If you use Antin in this way, you will also be protected against pregnancy during the 7 days when you do not take any tablets.
When can you start with the first pack?
Start taking Antin on the first day of your cycle (i.e., the first day of your period). If you start Antin on the first day of your period, you will be protected immediately against pregnancy. You can also start on days 2-5 of your cycle, but you must use additional contraceptive methods (e.g., a condom) during the first 7 days.
You can start taking Antin the day after the week of rest from your previous contraceptive (or after taking the last inactive tablet). When changing from a vaginal ring or patch, follow your doctor's recommendations.
You can change from a progestogen-only pill at any time (if it's an implant or IUD, on the day of its removal; if it's an injectable, when the next injection is due), but in all cases, it is recommended that you use additional contraceptive measures (e.g., a condom) during the first 7 days of tablet taking.
Follow your doctor's recommendations.
After having a child, you can start taking Antin between 21 and 28 days later. If you start later, you must use a barrier method (e.g., a condom) during the first 7 days of Antin use.
If, after having a child, you have had sexual intercourse before starting to take Antin again, you must first be sure that you are not pregnant or wait for your next period.
Let your doctor advise you if you are unsure when to start.
Read the section "Breastfeeding".
If you take more Antin than you should
No cases have been reported in which an overdose of ethinylestradiol/drospirenone has caused serious harm.
The symptoms that may appear if you take many tablets at once are nausea and vomiting. Adolescent girls may experience vaginal bleeding.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service at 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.
If you forget to take Antin
The risk of incomplete protection against pregnancy is highest if you miss a tablet at the beginning of the pack (1st row) or at the end of the 3rd week (3rd row of the pack). Therefore, you should take the following measures (see also the diagram below):
Consult your doctor.
Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two tablets at the same time. Continue taking the following tablets at the usual time and use additional precautions, such as a condom, for the next 7 days. If you have had sexual intercourse in the week before missing the tablet, you should be aware that there is a risk of pregnancy. In this case, consult your doctor.
Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two tablets at the same time. Continue taking the following tablets at the usual time. The contraceptive protection does not decrease, and you do not need to take additional precautions.
You can choose between two options:
You will probably have your period (withdrawal bleeding) at the end of the second pack, although you may experience spotting or bleeding during the second pack.
If you follow one of these two recommendations, you will remain protected against pregnancy.

What should you do in case of vomiting or severe diarrhea?
If you vomit within 3-4 hours after taking a yellow tablet or experience severe diarrhea, there is a risk that the active ingredients will not be fully absorbed by the body. This is similar to what happens when you miss a tablet. After vomiting or diarrhea, you should take a tablet from a reserve pack as soon as possible. If possible, take it before 12 hourshave passed since the usual time you take your contraceptive. If it is not possible or more than 12 hours have passed, follow the advice in the "If you forget to take Antin" section.
Bleeding between menstrual periods
During the first months of using Antin, unexpected bleeding (bleeding outside the tablet-free period) may occur. If you experience this bleeding for more than a few months or if it starts after a few months, your doctor should investigate the cause.
What should you do if you do not have your period during the tablet-free period?
If you have taken all the tablets correctly, have not vomited, or experienced severe diarrhea, and have not taken any other medication, it is very unlikely that you are pregnant.
If you do not have two consecutive menstrual periods, you may be pregnant. In this case, consult your doctor immediately. Do not start the next pack until you are sure you are not pregnant.
Delay of menstrual period: what should you know?
Although it is not recommended, it is possible to delay your menstrual period (withdrawal bleeding) until the end of a new pack if you continue taking a second pack of Antin instead of starting the tablet-free period. You may experience spotting or bleeding during the second pack. After the usual 7-day tablet-free period, continue with the next pack.
You should consult your doctor before deciding to delay your menstrual period.
Change of the first day of your menstrual period: what should you know?
If you take the tablets according to the instructions, your menstrual period (withdrawal bleeding) will start during the tablet-free period. If you need to change this day, you can do so by shortening (but never lengthening!) the tablet-free period. For example, if your tablet-free period starts on a Friday and you want to change it to a Tuesday (3 days earlier), you should start a new pack 3 days earlier than usual. If you make the tablet-free period very short (e.g., 3 days or less), you may not have withdrawal bleeding during this period. Then you may experience spotting or bleeding.
If you are unsure how to proceed, consult your doctor.
If you stop treatment with Antin
You can stop taking Antin whenever you want. If you do not want to become pregnant, consult your doctor about other effective birth control methods.
If you have any other questions about the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medications, this medication can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. If you experience any side effect, especially if it is severe and persistent, or have any change in health that you think may be due to Antin, consult your doctor.
All women who take combined hormonal contraceptives are at a higher risk of developing blood clots in the veins (venous thromboembolism (VTE)) or blood clots in the arteries (arterial thromboembolism (ATE)). For more detailed information on the different risks of taking combined hormonal contraceptives, see section 2 "What you need to know before taking Antin".
The following list of side effects has been associated with the use of Ethinylestradiol/Drospirenone 0.03 mg/3 mg:
The risk of having a blood clot may be higher if you have any other condition that increases this risk (see section 2 for more information on conditions that increase the risk of blood clots and symptoms of a blood clot).
Reporting side effects:
If you experience any side effect, especially if it is severe and persistent, or have any change in health that you think may be due to Antin, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is a possible side effect that does not appear in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Medicines and Healthcare Products Agency's (AEMPS) online platform: http://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medication.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
No special storage conditions are required.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date stated on the pack after "EXP": The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Return the packs and any unused medication to your usual pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of packs and any unused medication. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Antin
The active ingredients are 0.03 mg of ethinylestradiol and 3 mg of drospirenone.
The other ingredients are:
Core of the tablet: lactose monohydrate, cornstarch, pregelatinized cornstarch, povidone, crospovidone, polysorbate 80 (E433), magnesium stearate.
Coating: Partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide (E-171), macrogol 3350 (E1521), talc (E553b), and yellow iron oxide (E-172).
Appearance of the product and contents of the pack
Film-coated tablets, round, yellow in color.
Antin is available in boxes of 1 and 3 packs (blisters), each containing 21 tablets.
Marketing authorization holder
Kern Pharma, S.L.
Venus, 72 - Pol. Ind. Colón II
08228 Terrassa - Barcelona
Spain
Manufacturer
Laboratorios León Farma, S.A.
Pol. Ind. Navatejera
C/ La Vallina s/n
24193 - Villaquilambre, León
Spain
Date of last revision of this leaflet:November 2022
"Detailed and updated information on this medication is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Healthcare Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/"
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Discuss dosage, side effects, interactions, contraindications, and prescription renewal for ANTIN 0.03 mg/3 mg FILM-COATED TABLETS – subject to medical assessment and local rules.