Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Drosurelle 0.02 mg/3 mg film-coated tablets EFG
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 package leaflet:
General considerations
Before starting to use Drosurelle, you should read the information about blood clots in section 2. It is especially important that you read the symptoms of a blood clot (see section 2 "Blood clots").
Before starting to take Drosurelle, your doctor will ask you some questions about your personal and family medical history. The 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 Drosurelle, or in which the effect of Drosurelle 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 Drosurelle alters the monthly changes in body temperature and cervical mucus.
Drosurelle, like other hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.
Do not take Drosurelle
You should not use Drosurelle 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.
Additional information on special populations
Children and adolescents
Drosurelle is not indicated for use in women who have not yet had their first menstrual period.
Older women
Drosurelle is not indicated for use after menopause.
Women with liver insufficiency
Do not take Drosurelle if you suffer from liver disease. See sections "Do not take Drosurelle" and "Warnings and precautions".
Women with renal insufficiency
Do not take Drosurelle if you are suffering from kidney malfunction or acute renal failure. See sections "Do not take Drosurelle" and "Warnings and precautions".
Warnings and precautions
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 particularly careful while using Drosurelle or any other combined contraceptive, and it may be necessary for your doctor to examine you periodically. If the condition develops or worsens while you are using Drosurelle, you should also inform your doctor.
BLOOD CLOTS
The use of a combined hormonal contraceptive like Drosurelle increases your risk of having 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 serious long-term effects or, very rarely, they can be fatal.
It is essential to remember that the overall risk of a harmful blood clot due to Drosurelle 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 symptoms? | 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 such as 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 medicine 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 Drosurelle, 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 Drosurelle is small.
Risk of a blood clot in a year | |
Women who do not usea combined hormonal contraceptive pill/patch/ring and who are not pregnant. | About 2 out of every 10,000 women |
Women who use a combined hormonal contraceptive pill that contains levonorgestrel, norethisterone or norgestimate | About 5-7 out of every 10,000 women |
Women who use Drosurelle | About 9-12 out of every 10,000 women |
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in a vein
The risk of a blood clot with Drosurelle is small, but some conditions increase the risk. Your risk is higher:
The risk of a blood clot increases the more 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 need to interrupt the use of Drosurelle.
If any of the above conditions change while you are using Drosurelle, 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 blood clot in an artery can cause serious problems. For example, it can cause a heart attack or a stroke.
Factors that increase the risk of a blood clot in an artery
It is essential to note that the risk of a heart attack or stroke due to Drosurelle is very small, but it can increase:
If you have more than one of these conditions or if any of them are particularly severe, the risk of a blood clot may be increased further.
If any of the above conditions change while you are using Drosurelle, 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.
Drosurelle and cancer
It has been observed that breast cancer occurs slightly more frequently in women who use combined contraceptives, 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 see your doctor if you notice any lump.
In rare cases, benign liver tumors, and even more rarely, malignant liver tumors, have been reported in users of hormonal contraceptives. See your doctor if you suffer from unusually severe abdominal pain.
Bleeding between periods
Follow the administration instructions for this medication exactly as indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
Take one Drosurelle tablet every day, with some water if necessary. You can take the tablets with or without food, but always at approximately the same time every day.
The pack (blister) contains 21 tablets. Next to each tablet is printed the day of the week on which it should be taken. If, for example, you start on a Wednesday, take a tablet with "WED" next to it. Follow the direction of the arrow on the pack until you have taken all 21 tablets.
After that, you should not take any tablets for 7 days. During these 7 days when you are not taking tablets (called the rest week), you should have your period. The period, which can also be called "withdrawal bleeding", usually starts on the 2nd or 3rd day of the rest week.
On the 8th day after taking the last Drosurelle tablet (i.e., after the 7-day rest period), you should start the next pack, even if you have not yet had your period. This means that you should start each pack on the same day of the week, and your period should occur during the same days each month.
If you use Drosurelle in this way, you will also be protected against pregnancy during the 7 days when you are not taking tablets.
When can you start with the first pack?
Start taking Drosurelle on the first day of your usual cycle (i.e., the first day of your period). If you start Drosurelle on the first day of your period, you are immediately protected 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 Drosurelle preferably the day after taking the last active tablet (the last tablet that contains active ingredients) of your previous contraceptive, but no later than the day after the rest week of your previous contraceptive (or after taking the last inactive tablet of your previous contraceptive). When switching from a combined vaginal ring or patch, follow your doctor's recommendations.
You can switch from the progestin-only pill at any time (if it's an implant or intrauterine device, on the same day it is removed; if it's an injection, when the next injection is due), but in all cases, use additional contraceptive measures (e.g., a condom) during the first 7 days of tablet-taking.
Follow your doctor's recommendations.
You can start taking Drosurelle between 21 and 28 days after having a child. If you start later, use a barrier method (e.g., a condom) during the first 7 days of Drosurelle use.
If, after having a child, you have already had sexual intercourse before starting to take Drosurelle again, you must be sure you are not pregnant or wait for your next period.
Read the section "Breastfeeding".
Ask your doctor if you are unsure when to start.
If you take more Drosurelle than you should
No cases have been reported in which an overdose of Drosurelle has caused serious harm.
The symptoms that may appear if you take many tablets at once are feeling unwell or having vomiting or vaginal bleeding. This bleeding can occur even in girls who have not yet had their first period, if they accidentally take this medication.
If you have taken too many Drosurelle tablets, or discover that a child has taken them, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount used.
If you forget to take Drosurelle
The risk of incomplete protection against pregnancy is greatest if you forget to take a tablet at the beginning or end of the pack. Therefore, you should follow these recommendations (see also the diagram below):
Consult your doctor.
Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two tablets at once. Continue taking the tablets at the usual time and use additional precautions, such as condoms, for the next 7 days. If you have had sexual intercourse in the week before forgetting the tablet, you may be pregnant. In this case, consult your doctor.
Take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two tablets at once. Continue taking the tablets at the usual time. Protection against pregnancy is not reduced, and you do not need to take additional precautions.
You can choose between two options:
You will probably have your period at the end of the second pack, although you may experience light bleeding or spotting during the second pack.
If you follow one of these two recommendations, you will remain protected against pregnancy.
The following diagram shows you what to do if you forget to take a tablet:

What to do in case of vomiting or severe diarrhea?
If you vomit within 3-4 hours after taking a tablet or have severe diarrhea, there is a risk that the active ingredients of the contraceptive will not be fully absorbed by the body. The situation is almost equivalent to forgetting a tablet. After vomiting or diarrhea, take a tablet from a reserve pack as soon as possible. If possible, take it within 12 hoursafter the usual time you take your contraceptive. If this is not possible or more than 12 hours have passed, follow the advice in the "If you forget to take Drosurelle" section.
Delaying your period: what you should know
Although it is not recommended, you can delay your period if you start taking a new pack of Drosurelle instead of continuing with the rest week and finish it. You may experience light bleeding or spotting during the second pack. After finishing the second pack, take the usual rest week and startthe next pack.
You should ask your doctor for advice before deciding to delay your period.
Changing the first day of your period: what you should know
If you take the tablets according to the instructions, your period will start during the rest week. If you need to change the day, reduce the number of rest days (but never increase them - 7 days maximum!). For example, if your rest days usually start on Fridays and you want to change to Tuesdays (3 days earlier), start a new pack 3 days earlier than usual. If you make the rest week very short (e.g., 3 days or less), you may not have bleeding during these days. Then you may experience light bleeding or spotting.
If you are unsure how to proceed, consult your doctor.
If you interrupt treatment with Drosurelle
You can stop taking Drosurelle whenever you want. If you do not want to become pregnant, consult your doctor about other effective birth control methods.
If you want to become pregnant, stop taking Drosurelle and wait until your period before trying to become pregnant. This way, you can more easily calculate the estimated due date.
If you have any additional questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them.
If you experience any adverse effect, especially if it is severe and persistent, or have any change in health that you think may be due to Drosurelle, 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 you start using Drosurelle".
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience 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").
The following list of adverse effects has been associated with the use of Drosurelle.
Frequent Adverse Effects(may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Uncommon Adverse Effects(may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Rare Adverse Effects(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
The likelihood 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 Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is a possible adverse effect that is not listed in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.
Store below 30°C.
Do not use this medicine after the expiration date stated on the packaging after "CAD:". The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and any unused medicines in the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy. In case of doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and any unused medicines. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Drosurelle
The active ingredients are 0.02 mg of ethinylestradiol and 3 mg of drospirenone.
The other components are:
Core of the tablet: lactose monohydrate, pregelatinized corn starch, povidone, sodium croscarmellose, polysorbate 80, magnesium stearate.
Coating: partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 3350, talc, yellow iron oxide (E172), red iron oxide (E172), black iron oxide (E172).
Appearance of the Product and Package Contents
The tablets are film-coated, round, pink, with a diameter of approximately 5.7 mm.
Drosurelle is available in packs of 1, 2, 3, 6, and 13 units (blisters), each containing 21 tablets.
Only some pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Laboratorios Effik, S.A.
C/ San Rafael, 3
28108 Alcobendas, Madrid
Spain
Manufacturer
Laboratorios León Farma, S.A.
C/ La Vallina, s/n,
Polígono Industrial Navatejera,
Villaquilambre
24193 León, Spain
This medicine is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:
Bulgaria: Jangee 0.02 mg/3 mg ????????? ????????
Greece: Estrofix 0.02 mg/3 mg ?????????? ????????? ??? ?????????
Spain: Drosurelle 0.02 mg/3 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Ireland: Ethinylestradiol/Drospirenone Leon Farma 0.02 mg/3 mg film-coated tablets
Portugal: Drospirenone + Ethinylestradiol Generis 3 mg + 0.02 mg film-coated tablets
Date of the Last Revision of this Prospectus: November 2022
Updated information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/
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