Package Insert: Information for the User
Melodene-15 0.06 mg / 0.015 mgCoated Tablets
Gestodeno / Ethinylestradiol
Read this package insert carefully before starting to take this medication, as it contains important information for you.
Important things you should know about combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs):
1.What is Melodene-15 and for what it is used
2.What you need to know before starting to take Melodene-15
3.How to take Melodene-15
4.Possible adverse effects
5.Storage of Melodene-15
6.Contents of the package and additional information
Melodene-15 is an oral hormonal contraceptive pill, usedto prevent pregnancy.
Before starting to use Melodene-15, 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 Melodene-15, 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 personal situation, may perform some other tests.
In this prospectus, several situations are described in which you should interrupt the use of Melodene-15, or in which the reliability of Melodene-15 may decrease. In these situations, you should not have sexual intercourse or should take additional non-hormonal contraceptive precautions, for example, use of a condom or other barrier method. Do not use the rhythm or temperature method. These methods may not be reliable because Melodene-15 alters the monthly changes in body temperature and cervical mucus.
Melodene-15, like other hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.
Do not use Melodene-15
You should not use Melodene-15 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.
Do not use Melodene-15 if you have hepatitis C and are taking medications that contain ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (see also the section “Other Medications and Melodene-15”).
Warnings and Precautions
When should you consult your doctor? Seek immediate medical attention
For a description of the symptoms of these serious adverse effects, see “How to Recognize a Blood Clot”. |
In some situations, you should be particularly careful while using Melodene-15 or any other combined hormonal contraceptive, and it may be necessary for your doctor to examine you periodically.
Inform your doctor if you suffer from any of the following conditions.
If the condition develops or worsens while you are using Melodene-15, you should also inform your doctor.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take Melodene-15.
BLOOD CLOTS
The use of a combined hormonal contraceptive like Melodene-15 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:
The recovery of blood clots is not always complete. In rare cases, there may be long-lasting or even fatal effects.
It is essential to remember that the overall risk of a harmful blood clot due to Melodene-15 is small.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A BLOOD CLOT
Seek immediate medical attentionif you notice any of the following signs or symptoms.
Do you experience 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 coughing or shortness of breath, can be confused with a milder condition like 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 may be brief, with almost immediate and complete recovery, but you should still seek medical attention as you may be at risk of 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 be higher if you restart taking a combined hormonal contraceptive (the same medication or a different medication) after a break 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 Melodene-15, your risk of a blood clot returns to normal in 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 Melodene-15 is small.
Risk of developing a blood clot in a year | |
Women whodo not usea combined hormonal contraceptive and are not pregnant | About 2of every 10,000 women |
Women who use a combined hormonal contraceptive containinglevonorgestrel, noretisterone, or norgestimato | About 5‑7of every 10,000 women |
Women who use Melodene-15 | About 9‑12of every 10,000 women |
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in a vein
The risk of a blood clot with Melodene-15 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 flights (over 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 have any of the conditions listed above, even if you are unsure. Your doctor may decide that you need to stop taking Melodene-15.
If any of the conditions listed above change while you are using Melodene-15, for example, a close relative experiences a blood clot 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 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 Melodene-15 is very small, but it may 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 even further.
If any of the conditions listed above change while you are using Melodene-15, for example, you start smoking, a close relative experiences a blood clot without a known cause, or you gain a lot of weight, inform your doctor.
Melodene-15 and Cancer
The detection of breast cancer is slightly higher in women who use combined pills, but it is not known whether it is caused by the pill. It is possible that these women are simply being examined more thoroughly and more frequently, or that breast cancer is detected earlier.
Studies indicate cases of cervical cancer in women who use combined pills for a relatively long time. Currently, it is unknown whether it is caused by the pill or if it is related to sexual behavior (e.g., frequent changes of partner) and other factors.
In rare cases, benign liver tumors and, in even fewer cases, malignant liver tumors have been reported in users of the pill. Consult your doctor if you experience unusual abdominal pain.
Mental Health Disorders
Some women who use hormonal contraceptives like Melodene-15 have reported depression or a depressed mood. Depression can be severe and sometimes may induce suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms, consult your doctor for additional medical advice as soon as possible.
During the first few months while you are taking Melodene-15, you may experience unexpected bleeding (bleeding outside of the placebo days). If these bleeding persists beyond a few months or starts after a few months, your doctor should investigate the cause.
What to do if you do not have your period during the placebo days
If you have taken all the active yellowish pills correctly, have not had severe vomiting or diarrhea, and have not taken other medications, it is highly unlikely that you are pregnant.
If your expected period does not come in two consecutive occasions, you may be pregnant. Consult your doctor immediately. Do not start the next pack until you are sure you are not pregnant.
Other Medications and Melodene-15
Always inform your doctor about any medications or herbal supplements you are using, including any medication obtained without a prescription. Also, inform any other doctor or dentist who prescribes a medication (or pharmacist) that you are taking Melodene-15. They may advise you to take additional contraceptive precautions (e.g., a condom) and, if so, for how long. |
Some medications:
These include:
The troleandomycin may increase the risk of intrahepatic cholestasis (retention of bile in the liver) during administration with combined oral contraceptives (COCs).
Melodene-15 mayinfluence the effectof other medications, e.g.:
Do not take Melodene-15 if you have hepatitis C and are taking medications that contain ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir, as these medications may cause increased liver enzyme levels (elevated ALT). Your doctor will prescribe another type of contraceptive before starting treatment with these medications. Melodene-15 can be restarted approximately 2 weeks after completion of this treatment. See the section “Do not use Melodene-15”.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may need to take any other medication.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, there is no reason for your doctor to prescribe contraceptives.
If you discover that you are pregnant while taking Melodene-15, stop taking the pill and consult your doctor.
If you plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
Lactation
It is not recommended that you use Melodene-15 during lactation.
If you wish to breastfeed, your doctor will recommend the appropriate form of contraception.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
Melodene-15 contains lactose
If your doctor has indicated that you have a lactose intolerance, consult with them before taking this medication.
Dosage
Method and route of administration
Swallow each tablet with a large glass of water.
If you have not used any hormonal contraceptives in the previous month
Take the first tablet on the first day of your period.
If you are changing from another hormonal contraceptive
Finish the blister pack you have started (if your current pill pack also contains hormone-free tablets, do not take them). Start the Melodene-15 blister pack the next day, without missing a day.
If you were using a progestin-only method (progestin-only pill, injectable, or implant)
In any case, it is necessary to use a barrier method of contraception (e.g., a condom) during the first 7 days of taking the pill.
If you are starting Melodene-15 after a first-trimester abortion
Normally, you can start immediately, but follow your doctor's advice before doing so.
If you are starting Melodene-15 after giving birth or a second-trimester abortion
Like any other hormonal contraceptive, Melodene-15 should not be started before 21-28 days after giving birth or an abortion, due to an increased risk of blood clots. If you start later, it is recommended to use a barrier method of contraception during the first 7 days of taking the pill. If you have had sex before starting Melodene-15, make sure you are not pregnant or wait until your next period.
Always consult your doctor.
Duration of use
Your doctor will tell you for how long you should use this pill.
If you take more Melodene-15 than you should
Overdose may cause gastrointestinal problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain), breast tenderness, dizziness, drowsiness/fatigue, and menstrual cycle disturbances (vaginal bleeding). This bleeding may occur even in girls who have not yet had their first menstrual period, if they accidentally take this medication.
Consult your doctor. You can also call the Toxicology Information Service, phone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount taken.
If you forget to take Melodene-15
You risk becoming pregnant if you forget to take a tablet. |
If you realize you have forgotten a yellowish tablet within 12 hours of the time you normally take it, take the forgotten tablet immediately and continue normally, taking the next one at the usual time until you finish the blister pack.
If you realize you have forgotten a yellowish tablet more than 12 hours after the time you normally take it, there is a risk of becoming pregnant. In this case:
If you have forgotten one or more yellowish tablets in a blister pack and do not get the bleeding that should occur when taking the white tablets, you may be pregnant.
If you have forgotten one or more white tablets, you are still protected as long as no more than 4 days pass between the last yellowish tablet of the current blister pack and the first yellowish tablet of the next blister pack. Consult your doctor.
If you experience vomiting or acute diarrhea within 4 hours of taking the pill, a situation similar to forgetting a tablet occurs. After vomiting or diarrhea, you should take another tablet from a spare blister pack as soon as possible. If possible, take itwithin 12 hours of the usual time you take your contraceptive. If this is not possible or more than 12 hours have passed, follow the advice in the section “If you forgot to take Melodene-15”.
If these episodes of vomiting or acute diarrhea recur over several days, you should use a barrier method of contraception (condom, spermicides, etc.) until the start of the next blister pack. Consult your doctor.
All women taking 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 section2 “What you need to know before starting to take Melodene-15”.
Severe side effects
The most frequently reported side effects (more than 10%) among women using Melodene-15 are the absence or reduced frequency of menstrual periods during use or after stopping, intermenstrual bleeding, or headache including migraine.
Frequent side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Less frequent side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
The risk of developing blood clots may be higher if you have any other condition that increases this risk (see section2 for more information on conditions that increase the risk of blood clots and symptoms of a blood clot).
Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
If you experience side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are side effects that do not appear in this leaflet.
Reporting side effects
If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is possible side effects that do not appear in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for the Pharmacovigilance of Medicines for Human Use: www.notificaRAM.es. By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the box and on the blister pack after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
No special storage conditions are required.
Medicines should not be disposed of through drains or in the trash. Dispose of packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of packaging and medications you no longer need. By doing so, you will help protect the environment.
Composition of Melodene-15
Pale yellow tablet:
White tablet:
Appearance of the product and content of the packaging
Melodene-15 is presented in the form of coated tablets.
Each pack contains 1, 3 or 6 blisters, each with 28 tablets (24 active pale yellow tablets and 4 inactive white tablets).
Only some packaging sizes may be commercially available.
Marketing authorization holder
Bayer Hispania, S.L.
Avenida Baix Llobregat, 3 - 5
08970 Sant Joan Despí (Barcelona)
Spain
Responsible for manufacturing
BayerWEIMAR GmbH und Co. KG
Doebereinerstrasse 20
99427 Weimar
Germany
Last review date of this leaflet:10/2022
The detailed information of this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)http://www.aemps.gob.es.
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.