Millinette warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

Millinette is unsuitable for you if you have:

• An allergy to any of the ingredients of Millinette
• A history of cancer of the ovary, cervix, uterus or breast
• A blood clotting disorder
• Ever had a blood clot
• A history of heart attack or stroke
• Angina pectoris
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Very high blood pressure
• Severe diabetes
• High levels of lipids in the blood
• Impaired liver function
• Severe migraines
• An eye disorder owing to circulatory problems.

You may be advised not to take Millinette if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Kidney failure
• Increased levels of fat in the blood
• Pancreatitis
• High blood pressure
• Impaired liver function
• Gallstones
• Porphyria
• Sydenham's chorea
• Herpes gestationis
• Otosclerosis
• Pruritus
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Sickle-cell anaemia
• Crohn's disease or chronic inflammatory bowel disease
• Varicose veins
• An inflammation of veins under the skin
• Chloasma.

Do not use Millinette if you have breast cancer, or if you have had it before. Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives may slightly increase your chance of developing breast cancer. Once you have stopped using the Pill for at least 10 years, your risk levels will come back down. Women who are elderly and/or overweight are more vulnerable to breast cancer. Take care using Millinette if a close relative has suffered from breast cancer before. Check your breasts and nipples regularly for any changes or lumps. If you notice anything abnormal, visit your doctor as soon as you can.

You may be more susceptible to blood clots while taking Millinette, especially during the first year of use. Talk to your GP before having any operation while taking the Pill. You may need to stop using Millinette in advance of the operation to avoid the increased risk of a blood clot. You are also at a heightened risk of developing a blood clot if you:

• Smoke
• Are obese
• Have a family history of blood clots
• Do not exercise regularly
• Have had a miscarriage in the past
• Have recently given birth.

Millinette may increase your chance of developing cervical cancer. For this reason, you should have regular smear tests while taking the Pill.

If you require any blood test, inform your doctor of which medicines you are taking - Millinette may alter the results of some blood tests.

Millinette and other medicines

The following medicines may impact the effectiveness of Millinette:

• Epilepsy medicines (e.g. carbamazepine)
• Some antibiotics (e.g. rifampicin, ampicillin)
• HIV medicines (e.g. ritonavir)
• Barbiturates
• Griseofulvin
• St John's Wort.

Please read all packaging and the Product Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.

Millinette directions

If possible, begin taking Millinette on the first day of your period - if you begin taking the Pill in the first five days of your cycle, you will be immediately protected from pregnancy.

There are 21 Millinette pills in a strip. Take one tablet at a similar time each day. Once you have finished a strip, you will stop taking the pill for seven days. During this time you will have a normal bleed. Once seven days have passed, begin your next cycle of treatment.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, even if it is nearly time for your next pill. If you have missed one day, you should still be protected from pregnancy. If you miss multiple days, you are advised to use additional contraception for the following seven days.

Millinette ingredients

The active ingredients contained in Millinette are ethinylestradiol gestodene.

Millinette also contains the following inactive ingredients to make up the complete product:

Sodium calcium edetate, magnesium stearate, silica colloidal anhydrous povidone K-30, maize starch, lactose monohydrate, quinolone yellow (E104), povidone K-90, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 6000, calcium carbonate (E170), sucrose, talc.

Millinette side effects

Not everyone will experience side effects when they take Millinette, however if you do they may include:

• Nausea
• Weight gain
• Irregular periods
• Headache
• Tender breasts
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Vaginal discharge
• Acne
• Stomach pain
• Change in libido
• Fluid retention
• Anxiety dizziness
• Migraine
• Eye irritation
  

If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.