Eloine

Eloine is a combined oral contraceptive pill (commonly called ‘the pill’) that is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken correctly. It contains two hormones: 20 mcg of ethinylestradiol (an artificial oestrogen) and 3mg of drospirenone (an artificial progestogen).

In addition to being an effective and reversible method of preventing pregnancy, Eloine can reduce acne and help lessen premenstrual symptoms.

Oestrogen and progesterone levels naturally increase and decrease throughout the course of your menstrual cycle. Combined contraceptive pills keep these levels high, preventing the circumstances that would trigger the release of an egg.

Eloine uses hormones to prevent pregnancy by:

1. preventing your ovaries from releasing an egg every month so that eggs cannot be fertilised
2. making the mucus at the entrance of the womb thicker so that sperm are unable to reach an egg
3. thinning the womb lining so that fertilised eggs are less able to implant into the womb and grow

Each blister pack consists of 24 light-pink tablets containing the active ingredient and four white placebo tablets. Take one tablet at the same time each day for 28 days.

Unlike with other tablets, there is no break between blister packs. You should take the pink tablets once daily, preferably around the same time each day, for 24 days. This should be followed by the white tablets. During this time, you may get your period, otherwise known as a ‘withdrawal bleed’.

When first starting Eloine, you should take the first pill on the first day of your period. If you are unable to do this, you can begin on day 2-5 of your cycle, but you should use an additional contraception method for the first seven days to prevent pregnancy.

When taking any medication, you should always follow the advice of the prescribing doctor as well as the instructions given in the patient information leaflet.

If you miss a pill

If you are less than 24 hours late in taking one of the pink, active pills, you are still protected against pregnancy. Take this tablet as soon as possible and continue taking the rest of your tablets as normal. If you are over 24 hours late, or miss multiple pills, your risk of getting pregnant increases.

The consequences associated with missing a pill depends on how many pills you have missed, what type of pill it is, and how far into the pill pack you are. Refer to the patient information leaflet or get in touch with your GP if you have missed any pills.

Vomiting and diarrhoea

If you take your pill, but experience a stomach upset soon after, this may also decrease the effectiveness of the medication. Treat any instance of severe stomach upset, like vomiting or diarrhoea, as though you have not taken your pill.

If you vomit within three hours of taking the pill, it may not have had a chance to get into your system, meaning you may not be protected against pregnancy. If this happens, take another pill as soon as possible and the next one at your usual time.

Diarrhoea can also lessen the effectiveness of the pill. If you have had very severe diarrhoea, the medication may not be able to work properly, and you should use additional contraception, like condoms.

The FDA has approved ethinylestradiol & drospirenone for sale in the US as Yaz. It contains the same active ingredients as Yaz, working in the same way, however it is available in the UK as Eloine.

Side effects are a possibility of most medications, although combined contraceptive pills are usually well tolerated.

Some of the most common side effects include:

• mood swings
• headaches
• nausea
• breast pain or tenderness
• irregular or absent periods

Eloine has a lower dose of oestrogen than other combined contraceptive pills, which may mean it has a lower risk of oestrogen-caused side effects like headache, breast tenderness, and nausea.

Many women may not experience side effects, and some side effects may be temporary as a result of starting the medication and will decrease over time.

You can read the prescription information leaflet for a complete list of side effects. If you experience any side effects that are particularly concerning, consult your doctor for further advice.

Blood clots

While it is rare, women who take combined contraceptive pills are at a higher risk of developing a blood clot than those who are not taking them.

Because of the use of drospirenone as an artificial progestogen, there may be an increased risk with Eloine than with others, although the overall risk is still low.

Your chances of developing a blood clot are further increased with smoking, increased age, high blood pressure, migraines, certain heart conditions, diabetes, and if you are overweight.

Serious risks associated with taking this medication are rare, but ensuring that you detail your medical conditions and other medications you are taking will help the doctor assess whether or not this is an appropriate medication for you.

If you are over the age of 35 or smoke, this pill may not be suitable for you. Talk to your doctor about other contraception methods.

Eloine is an effective method of preventing pregnancy, but it does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections, so it is important to practise safe sex.

If you would like to know more, read the patient information leaflet for further information.

You can buy Eloine tablets from HealthExpress by quickly filling out our simple online consultation. After submitting your consultation, one of our doctors will assess your suitability. If your consultation is approved, it will be forwarded on to our pharmacy, and you will receive your pills with free next-day delivery.

Is it safe to buy Eloine online?

It is safe to buy Eloine tablets online if you are purchasing from a reputable source. So that our doctors can adequately ensure that this is a safe treatment for you, we require you to complete an online consultation including a comprehensive medical questionnaire.