Prospecto: information for the user
MINESSE0,06mg/0,015 mg coated tablets
Gestodeno/Ethinylestradiol
Important things you should know about combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs):
Read this prospectus carefully before starting to take this medicine, because it contains important information for you.
1.What isMINESSEand for what it is used
2.What you need to know before starting to takeMINESSE
3.How to takeMINESSE
4.Possible adverse effects
5.Storage ofMINESSE
6.Contents of the package and additional information
.
General Considerations Before starting to take MINESSE, 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. Before starting to use MINESSE, 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”). This leaflet describes several situations in which you should interrupt the use of MINESSE, or in which the reliability of MINESSE may decrease. In these situations, you should not have sexual intercourse or take additional non-hormonal contraceptive precautions, for example, use of a condom or other barrier method. Do not use the rhythm or basal body temperature method. These methods may not be reliable because MINESSE alters the monthly changes in body temperature and cervical mucus. MINESSE, like other non-hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease. |
Do not take
Do not use MINESSE 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.
Warnings and Precautions
When to consult your doctor? Seek immediate medical attention
For a description of the symptoms of these serious side effects, see “How to Recognize a Blood Clot”. |
Inform your doctor if you suffer from any of the following conditions.
Si the condition develops or worsens while you are using MINESSE, you should also inform your doctor.
Mental Disorders:
Some women who use hormonal contraceptives like MINESSE 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, contact your doctor for additional medical advice as soon as possible.
Do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any doubts about using MINESSE.
BLOOD CLOTS
The use of a combined hormonal contraceptive like MINESSE increases your risk of suffering a blood clot compared to not using it.
Blood clots can form in veins (called “deep vein thrombosis”, “thromboembolism”, or TEV) or in arteries (called “arterial thrombosis”, “thromboembolism”, or TEA).
The recovery of blood clots is not always complete. In rare cases, there may be serious and lasting effects, or even fatal ones.
It is essential to remember that the overall risk of a blood clot that can cause harm due to MINESSE 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 signs? | What could 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 of taking a combined hormonal contraceptive for the first time. The risk may be higher if you start taking a combined hormonal contraceptive again (the same medication or a different one) 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 MINESSE, 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 TEV 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 MINESSE 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 10,000women |
Women who use a combined hormonal contraceptive containinglevonorgestrel, noretisterone, or norgestimato | About 5‑7of every 10,000women |
Women who use MINESSE | About 9‑12of every 10,000women |
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in a vein
Your risk of a blood clot is higher:
Your risk of a blood clot increases the more conditions you have.
Long flights (over 4 hours) may temporarily increase your 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 conditions above, even if you are unsure. Your doctor may decide that you should stop using MINESSE.
Si any of the conditions above change while you are using MINESSE, 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 MINESSE is very small, but it may increase:
Si you have one or more of these conditions or if any of them are particularly severe, your risk of a blood clot may be increased even further.
Si any of the conditions above change while you are using MINESSE, 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.
MINESSE and Cancer
The detection of breast cancer is slightly higher in women who use combined pills, but it is not known if it is caused by the pill. It is possible that these women are simply 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 if 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, even more rarely, malignant liver tumors have been reported in users of the pill. Consult your doctor if you experience unusual abdominal pain.
Menstrual Bleeding
During the first few months of taking MINESSE, 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
Si you have taken all the active yellowish tablets correctly, have not had severe vomiting or diarrhea, and have not taken other medications, it is very unlikely that you are pregnant.
Si you miss your period twice in a row, you may be pregnant. Go to your doctor immediately. Do not start the next pack until you are sure you are not pregnant.
Si you do not have your period after stopping MINESSE
After stopping MINESSE, it may take some time for your period to return. If this continues for a prolonged period, consult your doctor.
Other Medications and MINESSE
Always inform your doctor about any medications or herbal remedies 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 MINESSE. They can tell you if you need to take additional contraceptive precautions (e.g., a condom) and, if so, for how long. |
Some medications may affect the levels of MINESSE in the blood, making itless effective in preventing pregnancyand may cause unexpected bleeding.
These include:
or
The troleandomycin may increase the risk of intrahepatic cholestasis (retention of bile in the liver) during administration with combined oral contraceptives (COCs).
MINESSE mayinfluence the effectof other medications, for example:
Do not take MINESSE if you have Hepatitis C and are taking certain medications for Hepatitis C such as ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir, as these medications may cause increases in liver test results (elevated ALT levels).
Your doctor will prescribe another type of contraceptive before starting treatment with these medications.
MINESSE can be restarted approximately 2 weeks after the completion of this treatment. See the section “Do not take MINESSE”.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
Pregnancy
Si you are pregnant, there is no reason for your doctor to prescribe contraceptives.
Si you discover that you are pregnant while taking MINESSE, stop taking the pill and consult your doctor.
Si you plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
Lactation
MINESSE is not recommended for use during breastfeeding.
Si you wish to breastfeed, your doctor will recommend the suitable form of contraception.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
Driving and Operating Machines
There is no information on the effect of MINESSE on the ability to drive and operate machines. It is unlikely that MINESSE will affect your ability to drive or operate machines. Dizziness has been reported as a side effect. If you experience dizziness, do not drive or operate machines until it has passed.
MINESSE contains lactose
This medication contains lactose. If your doctor has told you that you have a certain sugar intolerance, consult with them before taking this medication.
Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medication indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
Dosage
Method and route of administration
Swallow each tablet with a large glass of water.
If you have not taken any hormonal contraceptive in the previous month
Take the first tablet on the first day of your menstruation.
If you are changing from a hormonal contraceptive
Finish the blister you have started (if your current contraceptive pill blister also contains hormone-free tablets, do not take them). Start the MINESSE blister the next day, without leaving any day without taking a pill.
If you were using a method based exclusively on progestogens (only progestogen pill, injectable method, or implant)
In any case, it is necessary to use a barrier contraceptive method (e.g. condom) during the first 7 days of taking the pill.
If you are starting MINESSE after a pregnancy interruption in the first trimester
Normally, you can start immediately, but follow your doctor's advice before doing so.
If you are starting MINESSE after giving birth or pregnancy interruption in the second trimester
Like any other contraceptive pill, MINESSE should not be started before21 to28 days after giving birth or pregnancy interruption, due to an increased risk of blood clots. If you start later, it is recommended to use a barrier contraceptive method during the first 7 days of taking the pill. If you have had sex before starting to take MINESSE, make sure you are not pregnant or wait until the next menstruation.
Always ask your doctor for advice.
Duration of use
Your doctor will tell you for how long you should use this pill.
If you take moreMINESSEthan you should
Overdose may cause gastrointestinal problems (e.g. nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain), mastalgia, dizziness, somnolence/fatigue, and menstrual cycle disturbances (bleeding). Ask your doctor for advice.
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicological Information Service, phone:91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.
If you forget to take MINESSE
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.
If you realize you have forgotten a yellowish tablet after more than 12 hours of the time you normally take itthere is a risk of becoming pregnant. In this case:
If you have forgotten one or more yellowish tablets in a blister and you 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 and the first yellowish tablet of the next blister.
Ask your doctor for advice.
If you experience vomiting or acute diarrhea within 4 hours of taking the tablet, a situation similar to forgetting a tablet occurs. After vomiting or diarrhea, you should take another tablet from a reserve blister as soon as possible. If possible, take itwithin 12 hours after 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 forget to take MINESSE”.
If these episodes of vomiting or acute diarrhea recur over several days, you should use a barrier contraceptive method (condom, spermicide...) until the start of the next blister. Ask your doctor for advice.
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 MINESSE”.
If you experience any of the following severe side effects, seek medical attention immediately:
Symptoms include sudden wheezing, difficulty breathing or dizziness, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips or throat, skin rash and urticarial hives.
Symptoms include swelling of the face, tongue and/or throat and/or difficulty swallowing or urticaria with possible difficulty breathing (also see section “Warnings and precautions”).
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, feeling weak and urinating less frequently than usual.
Symptoms include severe upper abdominal pain that may radiate to the back.
Symptoms include skin rash with pinkish-red patches, especially on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, which may form blisters. They may also appear ulcers in the mouth, eyes or genitals, as well as fever.
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
The risk of having a blood clot 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).
Frequency unknown (cannot be estimated from available data):
If you consider that any of the side effects you are experiencing are severe or if you notice any side effect not mentioned in this leaflet, inform your doctor or pharmacist.
Reporting of side effects
If you experienceany type of side effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is apossibleside effect not listed in this leaflet.You can also report them directly to theSpanish Medicines Agency’s Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use:www.notificaRAM.es.By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medication.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the packaging and on the blister pack after “CAD”. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
No special storage conditions are required.
Medications 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 your pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused packaging and medications. By doing so, you will help protect the environment.
Composition ofMINESSE
Yellowish pale tablet:
The active principles are:0.06 mgof gestodeno and 0.015 mgof ethinylestradiol.
The other components are: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, potassium polacrilex, polyethylene glycol 1450, purified water, glycolated montan wax, Opadry Yellow [hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, titanium dioxide (E171), yellow iron oxide (E172), red iron oxide (E172)].
White tablet:
It does not contain active principle (placebo).
The other components are:lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, potassium polacrilex, polyethylene glycol 1500, purified water, glycolated montan wax, Opadry White [hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, titanium dioxide (E171), polyethylene glycol].
Appearance of the product and contents of the package
MINESSE is presented in the form of coated tablets.
Each package contains1.3 or 6 blisters,eachone with28 tablets (24 active yellowish pale tablets with “60”on one face and “15”on the other face of the tablet and 4 inactive white tablets). Each blister is packaged in an aluminum bag that contains a sachet with silica gel desiccant. After opening each bag, which contains the blister, the desiccant sachet must be discarded.
Only some package sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Wyeth Farma, S.A.
Burgos Road, Km.23
San Sebastián de los Reyes
28700-Madrid
Responsible for manufacturing
Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company,
Little Connell,
Newbridge,
Co. Kildare,
Ireland
Local Representative
Pfizer, S.L.
Avda. de Europa, 20-B
Parque Empresarial La Moraleja
28108 Alcobendas (Madrid)
Last review date of this leaflet: February 2023
Other sources of information
Detailed and updated information on this medication 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.