Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Ethinylestradiol, Levonorgestrel may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
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TriRegol is a combined oral contraceptive, one of a group of drugs often referred to as the Pill. The Pill provides a reliable, reversible method of contraception. TriRegol contains two types of hormone: an oestrogen, ethinylestradiol, and a progestogen, levonorgestrel. It is a triphasic contraceptive. This means that there are three levels of hormones in each pack which reflect the changing levels in your normal menstrual cycle. These hormones stop the ovary from releasing an egg each month. They also thicken the mucus at the neck of the womb making it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg, and alter the lining of the womb to make it less likely to accept a fertilised egg. Remember: TriRegol needs to be taken as directed to prevent pregnancy Combined oral contraceptive pills like TriRegol will not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (such as AIDS). Only condoms can do this. 2.
e TriRegol
Do not take TriRegol if you are allergic to ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel or any of the other ingredients of
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this medicine (listed in section 6); you have ever had a disorder affecting your blood circulation known as thrombosis (for example, blood clots in your legs, lungs, heart, brain, eyes or in any other part of your body); you have ever had a heart attack or angina (severe chest pain) or a stroke; you or any member of your close family have any medical condition which makes you more at risk of developing blood clots (see also the section 'The pill and thrombosis'); you have diabetes with changes to the blood vessels; you have or have ever had disorder of blood vessels in the eye; you have severe high blood pressure; you have any heart and/or vessel disorders, such as irregular heart rhythm or a heart valve disease; you have liver disease or if you have ever had this; you have liver tumours or if you have ever had these; you have breast cancer or other cancer, for example ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, or cancer of the uterus (womb); you have unusual bleeding from your vagina; you have or have ever had migraine; you are pregnant or think you might be.
Do not use TriRegol if you have hepatitis C and are taking medicinal products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (see also in section "Other medicines and TriRegol"). If you get any of these conditions while you are taking TriRegol, do not take any more pills and contact your doctor immediately. In the meantime, use another method of contraception such as a condom or cap plus spermicide. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking TriRegol. Regular check-ups Before you start taking TriRegol, your doctor should take your medical history by asking you some questions about yourself and other members of your family. Your doctor will take your blood pressure and make sure you are not pregnant. Your doctor may also check your breasts, abdomen and pelvic organs. Once you have started taking TriRegol, your doctor will see you again for regular check-ups. This will happen when you go back to your doctor for more pills. Tell your doctor if any of the following conditions apply to you. If the condition develops or gets worse while you use TriRegol, you should also tell your doctor. Also, do not take any more pills until you have spoken to your doctor. In the meantime, use another method of contraception such as a condom or cap plus spermicide. If you get a migraine for the first time, or if you already have migraines but they get worse or happen more often than before. You develop symptoms of a blood-clot formation. (See also the section – 'The pill and thrombosis.') These symptoms include: unusual pain or swelling in your legs; sudden sharp pains in your chest which may reach your left arm; sudden shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing; sudden coughing for no apparent reason; any unusual, severe or long-lasting headache; any sudden changes to your eyesight (such as loss of vision or blurred vision); slurred speech or any other difficulties affecting your speech; vertigo (spinning sensation); dizziness, fainting or fits;
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sudden weakness or numbness in one side or part of your body; difficulties in moving around (known as motor disturbances); or severe pain in your abdomen (known as acute abdomen). You require surgery or become immobilised (not being able to move around as normal), since this may increase the risk of blood-clot formation. You should stop taking TriRegol at least four weeks before a planned major operation (for example, stomach surgery), or if you are having any surgery to your legs. Also, if you are immobilised for a long time (for example, you are in bed after an accident or operation, or you have a plaster cast on a broken leg). Your doctor will tell you when you can start taking TriRegol again. If you become or think you may have become pregnant.
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Signs of a blood clot: a migraine for the first time, a migraine that is worse than normal, or unusually frequent or severe headaches any sudden changes to your eyesight (such as loss of vision or blurred vision) any sudden changes to your hearing, speech, sense of smell, taste or touch pain or swelling in your leg stabbing pain when you breathe coughing for no apparent reason pain and tightness in the chest sudden weakness or numbness in one side or part of your body dizziness or fainting. Signs of a severe allergic reaction or worsening of hereditary angioedema: if you experience symptoms of angioedema such as swollen face, tongue and/or throat and/or difficulty swallowing or hives potentially with difficulty breathing contact a doctor immediately. Products containing estrogens may cause or worsen the symptoms of hereditary and aquired angioedema. Signs of breast cancer include: dimpling of the skin changes in the nipple any lumps you can see or feel. Signs of cancer of the cervix include: vaginal discharge that smells and/or contains blood unusual vaginal bleeding pelvic pain Signs of severe liver problems include: severe pain in your upper abdomen yellow skin or eyes (jaundice) inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) your whole body starts itching. If you think you may have any of these, see a doctor straight away. You may need to stop taking TriRegol. Tell your doctor before starting to take TriRegol if you know you suffer from any of the following conditions. You need to tell your doctor if this is the case as these conditions may get worse while you are taking the pill. If any of these conditions do get worse or you have them for the first time, tell your doctor as soon as you can. Your doctor may tell you to stop using TriRegol and advise you to use another method of contraception:
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If you, or any member of your family, have a blood-fat (lipid) disorder called hypertriglyceridaemia, as this disorder can increase your risk of getting a disease of your pancreas, called pancreatitis. If you suffer from: high blood pressure (hypertension); yellowing of the skin (jaundice); itching of your whole body (pruritus); gallstones; the inherited disease called porphyria; systemic lupus erythematosus – SLE (an inflammatory disease which can affect many parts of the body, including the skin, joints and internal organs); a blood disorder called haemolytic uraemic syndrome – HUS (a disorder where blood clots cause the kidneys to fail); the movement disorder called Sydenham's chorea; the rash known as herpes gestationis; the inherited form of deafness known as otosclerosis; disturbed liver function; diabetes; depression or mood changes; Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (chronic inflammatory bowel diseases); brown patches on your face and body (chloasma), which you can reduce by staying out of the sun and not using sunbeds or sunlamps.
Bleeding between periods should not last long A few women have a little unexpected bleeding or spotting while they are taking TriRegol, especially during the first few months. Normally, this bleeding is nothing to worry about and will stop after a day or two. Keep taking TriRegol as usual. The problem should disappear after the first few strips. You may also have unexpected bleeding if you are not taking your pills regularly, so try to take your pill at the same time every day. Also, unexpected bleeding can sometimes be caused by other medicines. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you get breakthrough bleeding or spotting that: carries on for more than the first few months starts after you've been taking TriRegol for a while carries on even after you've stopped taking TriRegol. The pill and thrombosis Some studies have suggested that the risk of developing various blood-circulation disorders is slightly greater in women who take the combined pill than in those who do not. This can lead to a thrombosis. A thrombosis is when you have a blood clot which may block a blood vessel. The clot may form in the veins (venous thrombosis) or in the arteries (arterial thrombosis). Most blood clots can be treated, with no long-term danger. However, a thrombosis can cause serious permanent disabilities or could even kill you, though this is very rare. Blood clots sometimes form in the deep veins of the legs (deep venous thrombosis). If this blood clot breaks away from the veins where it is formed, it may reach and block the arteries of the lungs, causing a 'pulmonary embolism'. Very rarely, blood clots can also form in the blood vessels of the heart (causing a heart attack) or the brain (causing a stroke). In extremely rare cases, blood clots can form in other places such as the liver, gut, kidney or eye.
A blood clot can develop whether or not you are taking the pill. It can also happen if you become pregnant. The risk is higher in people who take the pill than in people who don't take the pill, but it isn't as high as the risk during pregnancy. A thrombosis is most likely in the first year of taking any combined pill. In healthy women who are not pregnant and not taking the pill, there are about 5 to 10 cases of thrombosis for every 100,000 women each year. In women taking the pill with a low-oestrogen content, there are about 40 cases of thrombosis for every 100,000 women each year. In pregnant women, there are about 60 cases of thrombosis for every 100,000 pregnancies each year. Symptoms of a blood-clot formation are listed under 'Tell your doctor immediately if'. If you notice possible signs of a thrombosis, stop taking the pill and contact your doctor immediately. In the meantime, use another method of contraception such as a condom or cap plus spermicide. You should also remember that certain conditions can increase your risk of thrombosis. They include: age (the risk of having a heart attack or stroke increases as you get older); smoking (with heavier smoking and increasing age, your risk of thrombosis increases). When using the pill stop smoking, especially if you are over 35. being very overweight (obese); having disorder of blood fat (dyslipoproteinemia); high blood pressure; if you suffer from migraines; if you have a heart valve disease or a particular type of irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation). The pill and cancer Some studies have found that you may have an increased risk of cervical cancer if you use the pill in the long term. This increased risk may not be caused by the pill itself, but could be due to effects of sexual behaviour and other circumstances. More frequent check-ups may increase the rate of detection of cervical cancer. Every woman is at risk of breast cancer whether or not she takes the pill. Breast cancer is rare in women under 40. Breast cancer has been found slightly more often in women who take the pill than in women of the same age who don't take the pill. If you stop taking the pill, this reduces your risk, so that 10 years after stopping the pill the risk of finding breast cancer is the same as for women who have never taken the pill. Breast cancer seems less likely to have got worse when it has been found in women who take the pill, than it is in women who do not take the pill. Rarely, using the pill has led to liver diseases and benign liver tumours. Very rarely, the pill has been associated with some forms of malignant liver tumours (cancer) in long-term users. Liver tumours may lead to life-threatening bleeding in the abdomen. So, if you have pain in your upper abdomen that does not soon clear up, tell your doctor. Also, if your skin becomes yellow, you must tell your doctor, as this may be a sign that your liver is not working properly. Psychiatric disorders Some women using hormonal contraceptives including TriRegol have reported depression or depressed mood. Depression can be serious and may sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible.
Children and adolescents TriRegol is not indicated for use before the first menstrual bleeding (menarche). Other medicines and TriRegol Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Do not use TriRegol if you have Hepatitis C and are taking medicinal products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir as these products may cause increases in liver function blood test results (increase in ALT liver enzyme). Your doctor will prescribe another type of contraceptive prior to start of the treatment with these medicinal products. TriRegol can be restarted approximately 2 weeks after completion of this treatment. See section "Do not take TriRegol". Some medicines can have an influence on the blood levels of TriRegol can make it less effective in preventing pregnancy, or can cause unexpected bleeding. These include medicines used for the treatment of epilepsy (e.g. barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, topiramate), tuberculosis (e.g. rifampicin), HIV and Hepatitis C Virus infections (so-called protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors such as ritonavir, nevirapin, efavirenz) fungal infections (e.g. griseofulvin); increase of blood pressure in the lung vasculature (bosentan), the herbal remedy St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). If you want to use herbal products containing St. John's wort while you are already using TriRegol you should consult your doctor first. You may have to use another method of contraception as well, such as the condom, while you are taking these medicines – and up to 28 days afterwards. Your doctor may advise you to use these extra precautions for even longer. TriRegol may influence the efficacy of other medicines, e.g. ciclosporin (medicine used for the treatment of suppression of tissue rejection following transplant surgery), lamotrigine (anti-epileptic medicine; this could lead to an increased frequency of seizures). tizanidine (medicine used for the treatment of muscle spasticity), theophylline (a medicine for the treatment of asthma). Taking oral contraceptives together with troleandromycin may increase the risk of certain biliary diseases. Consult your doctor if you are taking any other medicines while using TriRegol. Before you have any blood tests Tell your doctor or the laboratory staff that you are taking the pill, because oral contraceptives can affect the results of some tests. TriRegol with food and drink There are no special instructions about food and drink while using TriRegol. Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. If you think you might be pregnant, stop taking TriRegol and talk to your doctor immediately. Until you have spoken to your doctor, use another method of contraception such as a condom or a cap plus spermicide. TriRegol should not be taken during breast-feeding. Driving and using machines TriRegol is unlikely to have any effect on the ability to drive and use machines. TriRegol contains lactose, sucrose and sodium Each tablet contains 31.35 mg of lactose (as lactose monohydrate) and 22 mg of sucrose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product. This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'. 3.
TriRegol
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. This pack is designed to help you remember to take your pills. Starting the first pack Take the first pill on the first day of your period. This is day one of your cycle – the day when bleeding starts. If you start on day 2-5 of your period, you should use another method of contraception as well, such as the condom, for the first seven pill-taking days, but this is only for the first pack. You can take your pill at any time, but you should take it about the same time each day. You may find it easiest to take it either last thing at night or first thing in the morning. Take a pill every day in the order shown until you finish all 21 pills in the pack. Once you have taken all 21 pills, stop for seven days. You will probably bleed during some of these seven days. You do not need to use any other form of contraception during the seven-day break provided you have taken the 21 pills properly and you start the next pack on time. The next pack After seven pill-free days, start your next pack. Do this whether or not you are still bleeding. You will always start a new pack on the same day of the week. Changing to TriRegol from another combined hormonal contraceptive (combined pill, vaginal ring, transdermal patch) Start taking TriRegol preferably on the day after the tablet-free period of your previous pill finishes (or after the last inactive tablet of your previous pill).
You can start taking TriRegol on the day after you take the last pill from the strip of your previous contraceptive. If your previous pill strip also contains hormone-free (placebo) pills, you can start with TriRegol on the day after the last active hormonal intake, but no later than on the day after the usual tablet-free interval with your previous combined hormonal contraceptive (or after taking the last placebo pill of your previous pack). When changing from a vaginal ring or transdermal patch, start taking TriRegol preferably on the day of removal, but at the latest when the next application would have been due. If you are unclear or have further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Changing to TriRegol from a progestogen-only pill You can stop taking pills only containing progestogen any time, and start taking TriRegol the next day at the same time point. But be sure to use additional contraceptive precautions (such as condoms or spermicides) during intercourse in the first 7 days, during which you take the pills. Changing to TriRegol from a contraceptive injection or implant If you have had an injection or implant of the hormone progestogen, you can start to take TriRegol on the day that your next injection is due, or on the day that your implant is removed. However, you should use another method of contraception (such as condoms or spermicides) during intercourse in the first 7 days, during which you take the pills. Starting after child birth or miscarriage or abortion After a birth, abortion or miscarriage, your doctor should advise you about taking the pill. You can start using TriRegol immediately after a miscarriage or abortion which occurs during the first three months of pregnancy. In this case it is not necessary to take further contraceptive measures. If you have had a delivery or abortion which occurs during the second three months of pregnancy, you can start taking TriRegol 21-28 days after giving birth or having abortion. If you start later, an alternative contraception (such as the condom) must be used for the first 7 days of pill-taking. If you have had unprotected sex you should not start TriRegol until your period starts or you are sure you are not pregnant. If you are breast-feeding, the combined pill is not recommended because it can reduce your flow of milk. If you have any questions about starting TriRegol after childbirth or abortion, ask your doctor or pharmacist. What to do if you have a stomach upset If you have been sick or had diarrhoea within 4 hours after taking a tablet, the pill may not work. Continue to take it, but you may not be protected from the first day of vomiting or diarrhoea. Use another method, such as a condom, for any intercourse during the stomach upset and for the next seven days. How to delay the menstrual bleeding In order to delay the menstrual bleeding, the ochre coloured tablets should be started from a new pack of TriRegol on the day after finishing the current pack, without leaving a gap between them. Delay of menstrual bleeding may continue as long as required until maximum 10 days (depending on how many ochre tablets are taken from the second pack). During the extension breakthrough bleeding or spotting may occur. Regular intake of TriRegol can be restored after the usual 7 tablet-free days after the second pack. How to shift the menstrual bleeding to another day of the week If you take TriRegol correctly, you will always have your monthly period on the same day of the month. If you want to shift your period to another day of the week, rather than the one you are used to with the present pill intake, you may shorten (but never lengthen) the forthcoming pill-free interval by as many days as you like. For example, if your monthly period usually starts on Friday and you want it to start on Tuesday (i.e., three days earlier), you should start
the next pack of TriRegol three days earlier. The shorter the pill-free interval, the greater the possibility that you will not have a withdrawal bleeding, and that you may have breakthrough bleeding or spotting during the second pack. If you take more TriRegol than you should If you take more TriRegol than you should, it is not likely that it will do you any harm, but you may feel sick, actually be sick or have some vaginal bleeding. If you have any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor who can tell you what, if anything, you need to do. If you forget to take TriRegol If you forget to take a pill please follow these instructions. If one pill is 12 hours late or less Your contraceptive protection should not be affected if you take the late pill at once, and keep taking your next pills at the usual time. This may mean taking two pills in one day. If you are more than 12 hours late in taking a pill, or have missed more than one pill If you are more than 12 hours late in taking a pill, or you have missed more than one pill, your contraceptive protection may be lower so you must use extra protection. The more pills you have missed, the more risk there is that your contraceptive protection is reduced. In this case follow the instructions for daily practice: What to do if you miss the pill at the first week You must take the last missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if this means that you have to take 2 tablets at the same time. Thereafter, you should continue taking the tablets at the usual time of the day. You must also use a barrier method of contraception, e.g. a condom, for the next 7 days. If intercourse has taken place during the preceding 7 days the possibility of pregnancy must be considered. The more missed tablets and the closer to the tablet-free interval this happens, the greater the risk of pregnancy. What to do if you miss the pill at the second week You must take the last missed tablet as soon as you remember even if this means that you have to take 2 tablets at the same time. Thereafter, you should continue taking the tablets at the usual time of the day. Provided that the tablets have been taken in a correct manner during the 7 days preceding the missed tablet, it is not necessary to take further contraceptive measures. However, if this is not the case, or if more than 1 tablet has been missed, you should use another contraceptive method for 7 days. What to do if you miss the pill at the third week You should take the last missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means that you have to take 2 tablets at the same time. Thereafter, you should continue taking the tablets at the usual time of the day. You should then start the next pack immediately after taking the last tablet in the current pack, i.e. without a tablet-free interval between the packs. Withdrawal bleeding is unlikely until the end of the second pack, but there may be some spotting, or break-through bleeding, on the days you are taking tablets. You may also stop taking tablets from the current pack. In that case, you should keep a period without tablets of up to 7 days, including those days when you forgot to take your tablets, and thereafter continue with the next pack. If you have missed tablets and then do not get a withdrawal bleed in the first normal tabletfree interval, the possibility of pregnancy must be considered. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms of angioedema: swollen face, tongue and/or throat and/or difficulty swallowing or hives potentially with difficulty breathing (see also section "Warnings and precautions"). Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): depression, mood changes, headache, feeling or being sick, abdominal pain, cholelithiasis, acne, chloasma (yellow brown patches on the skin), breast tenderness, breast pain, bleeding from the uterus that is not due to menstruation, increase in body weight. Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): breast cancer, fluid retention, loss of interest in sex, increase in interest in sex, nervousness, migraine, high blood pressure, diarrohea, vomiting, rash, nettle-rash (urticaria), breast enlargement. Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people): presence of excess lipids in the blood called hyperlipidaemia, contact lens intolerance, impaired hearing (otosclerosis), blockage of a vein by a clot formed elsewhere in the body, hypersensitivity, red nodules or lumps, inflammation of the walls of the bowel (ulcerative colitis), Crohn's disease, skin disorders (erythema nodosum – a skin disease associated with joint pain, fever, hypersensitivity, or infection, and characterized by small, painful, pink to blue nodules under the skin and on the shins that tend to recur, erythema multiforme – a skin disease characterized by solid raised spots on the skin or fluid-filled blisters lesions and reddening or discoloration of the skin often in concentric zones about the lesions), breast discharge, vaginal discharge, weight loss. Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10000 people): benign or malignant tumor of liver, cerebrovascular accident, a movement disorder called Sydenham's chorea, visual disturbance, heart attack, inflammation of the pancreas, a disease of the connective tissue, called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data): elevated blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, irritability, cerebrovascular disorder, deterioration of epilepsy, dizziness, blockage of a blood vessel by a clot formed elsewhere in the body, blockage of the pulmonary artery by a blood clot, inflammation of a vein (usually in the legs), yellowing of the skin (jaundice), seborrhoea (a disease appearing with scaly, flaky, itchy, and red skin), abnormal amount of hair growth on the body, sensation of heaviness, absence or suppression of normal menstrual flow, anovulatory cycle (cycle in which a woman fails to ovulate), abnormally infrequent menstruation. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. 5.
TriRegol
Store below 25 °C. Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister after
EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not throw away any medicine via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment. 6.
What TriRegol contains Each blister pack of tablets contains the following active substances: 6 pink tablets: each tablet contains 30 microgram ethinylestradiol and 50 microgram levonorgestrel 5 white tablets: each tablet contains 40 microgram ethinylestradiol and 75 microgram levonorgestrel 10 ochre tablets: each tablet contains 30 microgram ethinylestradiol and 125 microgram levonorgestrel The other ingredients are: Pink tablets: Core: colloidal anhydrous silica; magnesium stearate; talc; maize starch; lactose monohydrate; Coating: colloidal anhydrous silica; talc; carmellose sodium; povidone K30; Macrogol; copovidone; calcium carbonate; sucrose; red iron oxide (E172); titanium dioxide (E171). White tablets: Core: colloidal anhydrous silica; magnesium stearate; talc; maize starch; lactose monohydrate; Coating: colloidal anhydrous silica; talc; carmellose sodium; povidone K30; Macrogol; copovidone; calcium carbonate; sucrose; titatium dioxide (E171). Ochre tablets: Core: colloidal anhydrous silica; magnesium stearate; talc; maize starch; lactose monohydrate; Coating: colloidal anhydrous silica; talc; carmellose sodium; povidone K30; Macrogol; copovidone; calcium carbonate; sucrose; yellow iron oxide (E172); titanium dioxide (E171). What TriRegol looks like and contents of the pack Each blister contains 21 tablets: 6 pink tablets, 5 white tablets and 10 ochre tablets. Pink tablets: pink, bright, biconvex, circular tablets. White tablets: white, bright, biconvex, circular tablets. Ochre tablets: ochre, bright biconvex, circular tablets. Packaging: Aluminium-PVC/PVDC blister. Pack sizes: 1 x 21 tablets, 3 x 21 tablets, 6 x 21 tablets and 13 x 21 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer: Gedeon Richter Plc. Gyömrői út 19-21
1103 Budapest Hungary This leaflet was last revised in September 2023.
Triregol coated tablets comes as tablet. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Triregol coated tablets is ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel.
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Logynon ED tablets, Logynon coated tablets, Microgynon 30 ED tablets. In total there are 5 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Triregol coated tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Oral contraception
Posology.
One tablet is to be taken daily for 21 consecutive days. Each subsequent pack is started after a 7-day tablet-free interval; during which time a withdrawal bleed usually occurs. This bleeding will usually begin on the 2nd or 3rd day after ingestion of the last tablet and it may not have ceased, before the next pack is started.
How to start the use of Triregol
No preceding intake of hormonal contraceptives (within the last month)
Tablet-taking started on day 1 of the woman's natural cycle (=the first day of her menstrual bleeding). Starting intake on day 2-5 is allowed, but during the first cycle the concurrent use of barrier method during the first 7 days of tablet intake is advisable.
Changing from another combined hormonal contraceptive (combined oral contraceptive, contraceptive vaginal ring, contraceptive transdermal patch)
The woman should start with Triregol on the day after she took the last active tablet in her previous blister pack of contraceptive pills (or removed the transdermal patch or vaginal ring), or no later than on the day after the usual pill-free (or placebo, patch-free or ring-free) interval with her previous contraceptive.
Changing from a progestogen-only method (progestogen-only pills, injectable, implant)
The woman can change from progestogen-only pills on any day (changing from implant on the day of its removal; changing from injection when the next injection should have been given). In all these cases concurrent use of a barrier method during the first 7 days of tablet intake is advisable.
After abortion in 1st trimester
The woman may begin intake of tablets immediately. If she so does, it is not necessary to take further contraceptive measures.
After delivery or abortion in 2nd trimester
For breast-feeding women - see section 4.6.
The woman should be advised to start on day 21-28 after delivery or abortion in 2nd trimester, since there is an increased risk of thromboembolism during the post-partum period. She should be advised to use a barrier method concurrently during the first 7 days of tablet intake if she starts later. If she has already had intercourse, pregnancy must be excluded before she starts tablet intake, or she must await her first menstrual bleeding.
Missed tablets
If a tablet is delayed by less than 12 hours, additional contraception is unnecessary and the remaining tablets are taken as usual.
If the delay exceeds 12 hours, contraceptive protection may be reduced. Handling of missed tablets may be managed by the following two basic rules:
- Tablets must never be discontinued for longer than 7 days.
- Seven days of uninterrupted tablet taking are required to maintain adequate suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian-axis.
Thus, the following advice may be given for daily practice:
Week 1
The user must take the last missed tablet as soon as she remembers, even if this means that she has to take 2 tablets at the same time. Thereafter, she should continue taking the tablets at the usual time of the day. She must also use a barrier method of contraception, e.g. a condom, for the next 7 days. If intercourse has taken place during the preceding 7 days the possibility of pregnancy must be considered. The more missed tablets and the closer to the tablet-free interval this happens, the greater the risk of pregnancy.
Week 2
The user must take the last missed tablet as soon as she remembers even if this means that she has to take 2 tablets at the same time. Thereafter, she continues taking the tablets at the usual time of the day. Provided that the tablets have been taken in a correct manner during the 7 days preceding the missed tablet, it is not necessary to take further contraceptive measures. However, if this is not the case, or if more than 1 tablet has been missed, the woman should be advised to use an other contraceptive method for 7 days.
Week 3
The risk of contraceptive failure is imminent because of the ensuing tablet-free interval. Thus, it is not necessary to take further contraceptive measures if one of the two alternatives below is followed, provided that all tablets have been taken in a correct manner during the 7 days preceding the missed tablet. If this is not the case, the woman should be advised to follow the first of the two alternatives and concurrently use an other contraceptive method for the next 7 days.
The user should take the last missed tablet as soon as she remembers, even if it means that she has to take 2 tablets at the same time. Thereafter she should continue taking the tablets at the usual time of the day. She should then start the next pack immediately after taking the last tablet in the current pack , i.e. without a tablet-free interval between the packs. Withdrawal bleeding is unlikely until the end of the second pack, but there may be some spotting, or break-through bleeding, on the days she is taking tablets.
The woman may also be advised to stop taking tablets from the current pack. In that case, she should keep a period without tablets of up to 7 days, including those days when she forgot to take her tablets, and thereafter continue with the next pack.
If a woman has missed tablets and then does not get a withdrawal bleed in the first normal tablet-free interval, the possibility of pregnancy must be considered.
Advice in case of gastro-intestinal disturbances
In case of severe gastro-intestinal symptoms, absorption of the active ingredients may not be complete and additional contraceptive measures should be taken.
If vomiting or severe diarrhoea occurs within 3 to 4 hours after taking a tablet, the woman should apply the advice concerning missed tablets.
How to delay or shift a period
The woman should continue with the last 10 ochre tablets of the second pack Triregol without keeping the period without tablets, in order to delay the menstrual bleeding. If the woman wishes to delay for more than 10 days, she should use a pack of a monophasic COC with similar or higher progestogen dose. After the desired delay has been reached, regular intake of Triregol can be resumed after a pill-free period of 7 days.
To shift her period to another day of the week, women may be advised to shorten the forthcoming tablet-free interval by as many days as she likes. The shorter the interval, the higher the risk that she will not have a withdrawal bleed and may experience breakthrough bleeding or spotting during the second pack. It is important to emphasise that the pill free interval should not be extended.
Paediatric population
There is no relevant use of TriRegol coated tablets in the paediatric population before the pubertal age.
Method of administration
For oral use.
The tablets must be taken orally in the order directed on the blister package at about the same time every day, with some liquid if necessary.
Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are not to be used in the presence of any of the following conditions listed below. Should any of the conditions appear for the first time during COC use, the product must be stopped immediately.
- Venous thrombosis present or in history (deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) with or without provoking factor (see section 4.4).
- Arterial thrombosis present or in history (e.g. myocardial infarction) or prodromal conditions (e.g. angina pectoris and transient ischaemic attack).
- Presence or history of prodromi of a thrombosis (e.g. transient ischaemic attack, angina pectoris).
- Cerebrovascular accident present or in history.
- The presence of a severe or multiple risk factor(s) for venous or arterial thrombosis may also constitute a contraindication (see section 4.4).
- History of migraine with focal neurological symptoms.
- Diabetes mellitus with vascular involvement.
- Severe hepatic disease, current or previous, as long as liver function values have not returned to normal.
- Presence or history of liver tumours (benign or malignant).
- Known or suspected sex-steroid influenced malignancies (e.g. of the genital organs or the breasts).
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.
- Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy (see section 4.6).
- Severe hypertension.
- Ocular disorder of vascular origin.
- Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Triregol is contraindicated for concomitant use with medicinal products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (see sections 4.4 and 4.5).
Warnings
If any of the conditions/risk factors mentioned below is present, the benefits of COC use should be weighed against the possible risks for each individual and discussed with the woman before she decides to using it. In the event of aggravation, exacerbation or first appearance of any of these conditions or risk factors, the woman should contact her physician. The physician should then decide whether COC use should be discontinued.
Circulatory disorders
Epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in users of oral contraceptives with low oestrogen content (<50 microgram ethinylestradiol) ranges from about 20 to 40 cases per 100,000 women-years, but this risk estimate varies according to the progestogen. This compares with 5 to 10 cases per 100,000 women-years for non-users. The use of any combined oral contraceptive carries an increased risk of VTE compared with no use.
The excess risk of VTE is highest during the first year a woman ever uses a combined oral contraceptive. This increased risk is less than the risk of VTE associated with pregnancy, which is estimated as 60 cases per 100,000 pregnancies.
VTE is fatal in 1‑2% of the cases.
The overall absolute risk (incidence) of VTE for levonorgestrel containing combined oral contraceptives with 30 microgram ethinylestradiol is approximately 20 cases per 100,000 women-years of use. Epidemiological studies have also associated the use of COCs with an increased risk for myocardial infarction, transient ischaemic attack and for stroke.
Extremely rarely, thrombosis has been reported to occur in other blood vessels, e.g. hepatic, mesenteric, renal, retinal veins and arteries, in contraceptive pill users. There is no consensus as to whether the occurrence of these events is associated with the use of hormonal contraceptives.
Symptoms of venous or arterial thrombotic/thromboembolic events or of a cerebrovascular accident can include:
- unusual unilateral leg pain and/or swelling
- sudden severe pain in the chest, whether or not it radiates to the left arm
- sudden breathlessness
- sudden onset of coughing
- vertigo
- collapse with or without focal seizure
- weakness or very marked numbness suddenly affecting one side or one part of the body
- motor disturbances
- 'acute' abdomen.
The risk for venous thromboembolic complications in COCs users increases with:
- increasing age
- a positive family history (venous thromboembolism ever in a sibling or parent at a relatively early age). If a hereditary predisposition is suspected, the woman should be referred to a specialist for advice before deciding about any hormonal contraceptive use.
- prolonged immobilisation, major surgery, any surgery to the legs, or major trauma. In these situations it is advisable to discontinue the pill (in the case of elective surgery at least four weeks in advance) and not to resume until two weeks after complete remobilisation.
- obesity (body mass index over 30 kg/m2).
- there is no consensus about the possible role of varicose veins and superficial thrombophlebitis in the onset or progression of venous thrombosis.
The risk of arterial thromboembolic complications or of a cerebrovascular accident in COC users increases with:
- increasing age,
- smoking (women over 35 years should be strongly advised not to smoke if they wish to use an COC),
- dyslipoproteinemia,
- hypertension,
- migraine,
- valvular heart disease,
- atrial fibrillation.
The increased risk of thromboembolism in the puerperium must be considered (see section 4.6).
Other medical conditions which have been associated with adverse vascular events include diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, haemolytic uraemic syndrome, chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) and sickle cell disease.
An increase in frequency or severity of migraine during COC use (which may be prodromal of a cerebrovascular event) may be a reason for immediate discontinuation of the COC.
Biochemical factors that may be indicative of hereditary or acquired predisposition for venous or arterial thrombosis include Activated Protein C (APC) resistance, hyperhomocysteinemia, antithrombin-III deficiency, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, antiphospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant).
There is no consensus for the possible role of varicose veins and superficial thrombophlebitis in venous thromboembolism.
When weighing benefits/disadvantages the physician must take into consideration that adequate treatment of a given condition may lower the risk related to thrombosis and that the risk of developing thrombosis during pregnancy is higher compared to using contraceptive pills.
Tumours
An increased risk of cervical cancer in long-term users of COC has been reported in some epidemiological studies, but there continues to be controversy about the extent to which this finding is attributable to the confounding effects of sexual behaviour and other factors such as human papilloma virus (HPV).
A meta-analysis of 54 epidemiological studies showed that there is a slightly increased relative risk (RR = 1.24) of having breast cancer diagnosed in women who are currently using COCs. The excess risk gradually disappears during the course of the 10 years after cessation of COC use. Because breast cancer is rare in women under 40 years of age, the excess number of breast cancer diagnoses in current and recent COC users is small in relation to the overall risk of breast cancer. These studies do not provide evidence for causation.
The observed pattern of increased risk may be due to an earlier diagnosis of breast cancer in COC users, the biological effects of COCs or a combination of both. The breast cancers diagnosed in ever-users tend to be less advanced clinically than the cancers diagnosed in never-users.
In rare cases, benign liver tumours, and even more rarely, malignant liver tumours have been reported in users of COCs. In isolated cases, these tumours have led to life-threatening intra-abdominal haemorrhages. A hepatic tumour should be considered in the differential diagnosis when severe upper abdominal pain, liver enlargement or signs of intra-abdominal haemorrhage occur in women taking COCs.
Other conditions
Depressed mood and depression are well-known undesirable effects of hormonal contraceptive use (see section 4.8). Depression can be serious and is a well-known risk factor for suicidal behaviour and suicide. Women should be advised to contact their physician in case of mood changes and depressive symptoms, including shortly after initiating the treatment.
Women who get severely depressed during the use of contraceptive pills should stop taking the pills and be advised to use an alternative contraceptive method while trying to determine if the symptoms are due to the oral contraceptive preparation. Women who have previously suffered from depression should be closely monitored and stop the use of the oral contraceptive preparation if the symptoms of depression relapse.
Women with hypertriglyceridemia, or a family history thereof, may be at an increased risk of pancreatitis when using COCs.
Although small increases in blood pressure have been reported in many women taking COCs, clinically relevant increases are rare. Only in these rare cases an immediate discontinuation of COC use is justified. If, during the use of a COC in pre-existing hypertension, constantly elevated blood pressure values or a significant increase in blood pressure do not respond adequately to antihypertensive treatment, the COC must be withdrawn. Where considered appropriate, COC use may be resumed if normotensive values can be achieved with antihypertensive therapy.
The following conditions have been reported to occur or deteriorate during both pregnancy and COC use, but the evidence of an association with COC use is inconclusive: jaundice and/or pruritus related to cholestasis, gallstones, porphyria, systemic lupus erythematosus, haemolytic uremic syndrome, Sydenham's chorea, herpes gestationis, otosclerosis-related hearing loss.
Exogenous estrogens may induce or exacerbate symptoms of hereditary and acquired angioedema.
Acute or chronic disturbances of liver function may necessitate the discontinuation of COC use until the liver function values return to normal. Recurrence of cholestatic jaundice and/or cholestasis-related pruritus which occurred during pregnancy or previous use of sex steroids necessitates the discontinuation of COCs. Steroid hormones may be poorly metabolised in patients with impaired liver function.
Although COCs may have an effect on peripheral insulin resistance and glucose tolerance, there is no evidence for a need to alter the therapeutic regimen in diabetics using low-dose COCs. However, diabetic women should be carefully monitored, particularly in the early stage of COC use.
Worsening of Crohn's disease and of ulcerative colitis has been reported during COC use.
Chloasma may occasionally occur, especially in women with a history of chloasma gravidarum. Women with a tendency to chloasma should avoid exposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation whilst taking COCs.
Hyperlipidaemic women should be closely monitored if they choose to use COCs.
Medical examination/consultation
Prior to the initiation or reinstitution of ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel a complete medical history (including family history) should be taken and pregnancy must be ruled out. Blood pressure should be measured and a physical examination should be performed guided by the contraindications (see section 4.3 Contraindications) and warnings (see section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use). The woman should also be instructed to carefully read the user leaflet and to adhere to the advice given. The frequency and nature of examinations should be based on established practice guidelines and be adapted to the individual woman.
Women should be advised that oral contraceptives do not protect against HIV infections (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Reduced efficacy
The effect of COCs may be reduced, in the event of missed tablets, vomiting, diarrhoea or concomitant mediciation.
Reduced cycle control
With all COCs, irregular bleeding (spotting or breakthrough bleeding) may occur, especially during the first months of use. Therefore, the evaluation of any irregular bleeding is only meaningful after an adaptation interval of about three cycles.
If bleeding irregularities persist or occur after previously regular cycles, then non-hormonal causes should be considered and adequate diagnostic measures are indicated to exclude malignancy or pregnancy. These may include curettage.
In some women withdrawal bleeding may not occur during the tablet-free interval. If the COC has been taken according to the directions described in section 4.2 it is unlikely that the woman is pregnant. However, if the COC has not been taken according to these directions prior to the first missed withdrawal bleed or if two withdrawal bleeds are missed, pregnancy must be ruled out before COC use is continued.
Herbal preparations containing St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) should not be used while taking Triregol, due to the risk of decreased plasma concentrations and reduced clinical efficacy of Triregol (see section 4.5).
ALT elevations
During clinical trials with patients treated for hepatitis C virus infections (HCV) with the medicinal products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir with or without ribavirin, transaminase (ALT) elevations higher than 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) occurred significantly more frequent in women using ethinylestradiol-containing medications such as combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs). ALT elevations have also been observed with HCV anti-viral medicinal products containing glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (see sections 4.3 and 4.5).
Excipients
This medicinal product contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine. Patients who are on a lactose free diet should take this amount into consideration.
This medicinal product contains sucrose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
Interaction
Pharmacodynamic interactions
Concomitant use with medicinal products containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, with or without ribavirin, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir may increase the risk of ALT elevations (see sections 4.3 and 4.4). Therefore, Triregol users must switch to an alternative method of contraception (e.g., progestagen-only contraception or non-hormonal methods) prior to starting therapy with these drug regimens. Triregol can be restarted 2 weeks following completion of treatment with these drug regimens.
Pharmacokinetic interactions
Effects of other medicinal products on TriRegol coated tablets
Interactions can occur with drugs that induce microsomal enzymes which can result in increased clearance of sex hormones and which may lead to breakthrough bleeding and/or contraceptive failure.
Management
Enzyme induction can already be observed after a few days of treatment. Maximal enzyme induction is generally seen within a few weeks. After the cessation of drug therapy enzyme induction may be sustained for about 4 weeks.
Short-term treatment
Women on treatment with enzyme inducing drugs should temporarily use a barrier method or another method of contraception in addition to the COC. The barrier method must be used during the whole time of the concomitant drug therapy and for 28 days after its discontinuation.
If the drug therapy runs beyond the end of the tablets in the COC pack, the next COC pack should be started right after the previous one without the usual tablet-free interval.
Long-term treatment
In women on long-term treatment with enzyme-inducing active substances, another reliable, nonhormonal, method of contraception is recommended.
The following interactions have been reported in the literature.
Substances increasing the clearance of COCs (diminished efficacy of COCs by enzyme-induction) e. g.:
Barbiturates, bosentan, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, and HIV medication ritonavir, nevirapine and efavirenz and possibly also felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, topiramate and products containing the herbal remedy St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
Substances with variable effects on the clearance of COCs
When co-administered with COCs, many combinations of HIV protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, including combinations with HCV inhibitors can increase or decrease plasma concentrations of estrogen or progestins. The net effect of these changes may be clinically relevant in some cases.
Therefore, the prescribing information of concomitant HIV/HCV medications should be consulted to identify potential interactions and any related recommendations. In case of any doubt, an additional barrier contraceptive method should be used by women on protease inhibitor or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor therapy.
Effects of TriRegol coated tablets on other medicinal products
Oral contraceptives may affect the metabolism of certain other active substances. Accordingly, plasma and tissue concentrations may be affected:
Clinical data suggests that ethinylestradiol is inhibiting the clearance of CYP1A2 substrates leading to a weak (e.g. theophylline) or moderate (e.g. tizanidine) increase in their plasma concentration.
Ciclosporin
Oral contraceptives may inhibit the hepatic metabolism of ciclosporin resulting in increased adverse events.
Lamotrigine
COCs have been shown to induce metabolism of lamotrigine resulting in sub-therapeutic plasma concentrations of lamotrigine.
Other forms of interactions
Troleandomycin
Troleandomycin may increase the risk of intrahepatic cholestasis during coadministration with COCs.
Laboratory tests
The use of contraceptive steroids may have an influence on the results of certain laboratory analyses, including biochemical parameters for liver, thyroid, adrenal and kidney function; the plasma levels of (transport)-proteins, e.g. corticosteroid-binding globulin and lipid/lipoprotein fractions; parameters for carbohydrate metabolism and parameters for coagulation and fibrinolysis. Changes usually remain within the normal laboratory reference values.
Note
The prescribing information of concomitant medications should be consulted to identify potential interactions.
Pregnancy
Triregol is contraindicated in confirmed or suspected pregnancy (see section 4.3). If pregnancy occurs during medication with Triregol, treatment should be withdrawn immediately.
However, extensive epidemiological studies have revealed neither an increased risk of birth defects in children born to women who used COCs prior to pregnancy, nor a teratogenic effect at unintentional intake of contraceptive pills in early pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Lactation may be influenced by contraceptive pills as they may reduce the amount of the breast milk and change its composition. Thus, the use of combined oral contraceptives should generally not be recommended until the nursing mother has weaned her child of the breast milk. Small amounts of contraceptive steroids and/or their metabolites may be excreted in milk. These amounts may affect the child.
Triregol has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
The most frequently adverse reactions do usually not demand interruption of treatment and include: depression, mood altered headache nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cholelithiasis, acne, chloasma, breast tenderness, breast pain, metrorrhagia and weight increased.
For serious adverse experiences in users of oral contraceptives see section 4.4.
The following adverse effects have been reported during use of ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel:
System Organ Class
Common
≥1/100 to ≤1/10
Uncommon
≥1/1,000 to ≤1/100
Rare
≥1/10,000 to ≤1/1,000
Very rare
≤1/10,000
Not known
(cannot be estimated from the available data)
Immune system disorders
Hypersensitivity
Exacerbation of symptoms of hereditary and acquired angioedema
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl. cysts and polyps)
Breast cancer
Hepatic adenoma,
Hepatic neoplasm malignant
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Fluid retention
Hyperlipidaemia
Hypercholesterolaemia,
Hypertriglyceridaemia
Psychiatric disorders
Depression,
Mood changes
Libido decreased,
Libido increased,
Loss of libido,
Nervousness
Irritability
Nervous system disorders
Headache
Migraine
Cerebrovascular accident,
Sydenham's chorea
Cerebrovascular disorder,
Epilepsy aggravated,
Dizziness
Eye disorders
Contact lens intolerance
Visual disturbance
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Otosclerosis
Cardiac disorders
Myocardial infarction
Vascular disorders
Hypertension
Venous thromboembolism
Arterial thromboembolism,
Pulmonary embolism,
Phlebitis
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Diarrhoea, Vomiting
Colitis ulcerative,
Crohn's disease
Pancreatitis
Hepatobiliary disorders
Cholelithiasis
Jaundice cholestatic
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Acne,
Chloasma
Rash,
Urticaria
Erythema multiforme,
Erythema nodosum
Hypertrichosis,
Seborrhoea
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Sensation of heaviness
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Breast tenderness,
Breast pain,
Metrorrhagia
Breast enlargement
Breast discharge,
Vaginal discharge
Amenorrhoea,
Anovulatory cycle,
Oligomenorrhoea
Investigations
Weight increased
Weight decreased
Interactions
Breakthrough bleeding and/or contraceptive failure may result from interactions of other drugs (enzyme inducers) with oral contraceptives (see section 4.5).
The following serious adverse events have been reported in women using COCs, which are discussed in section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use:
- Venous thromboembolic disorders
- Arterial thromboembolic disorders
- Hypertension
- Liver tumours
- Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, porphyria, systemic lupus erythematosus, herpes gestationis, Sydenham's chorea, haemolytic uremic syndrome, cholestatic jaundice.
The frequency of diagnosis of breast cancer is slightly increased among COC users. As breast cancer is rare in women under 40 years of age the excess number is small in relation to the overall risk of breast cancer. Causation with COC use is unknown. For further information, see sections 4.3 Contraindications and 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme, website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
There have been no reports of serious, harmful effects after overdose. The symptoms which may occur in connection with overdose are: Nausea, vomiting and, in young girls, slight vaginal bleeding. There is no antidote, and further treatment should be symptomatic.
Ask anything about Triregol coated tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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