Some important information on prescribed birth control: Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol)
Femme Tab ED 20 100, commonly referred to as ‘The Pill’, is a prescribed combined oral contraceptive pill with levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol as the main active ingredients.[1]
In this article
In this Chemist2U article, you can gain more information regarding Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol), including its function, administration, and more. But as with any medication, always consult your doctor to determine its suitability for your lifestyle.
How does Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) work?
Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) works as a reversible method of birth control. It prevents the maturation of egg cells, which are usually released monthly by the ovaries.
This prevention means that the eggs do not reach a stage where fertilisation is possible. Additionally, Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) maintains the thickness of the cervical mucus, creating a barrier that makes it difficult for sperm to enter the womb. It also ensures that the womb’s lining is inadequately prepared for a fertilised egg to be implanted.[2]
With this, Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) is generally similar to other combined oral contraceptives with the same active ingredients. This includes Micronelle 30 ED (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) and Levlen ED (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol).
However, there are also other combined oral contraceptive options with different active ingredients, such as Zoely (nomegestrol acetate + estradiol). These may be prescribed by your doctor, depending on your specific situation.
How do you take Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol)?
As one of the birth control pills available in Australia, Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) is taken orally with water if needed.
A pack contains 28 tablets: 21 active (white to off-white) and seven inactive (red-brown). Each tablet is clearly labelled with a day of the week. To ensure consistency, it’s recommended to take one tablet daily at around the same time. Generally, follow the arrows on the pack, ingesting all 28 tablets in 28 days.
Note that after finishing the active tablets, your period or withdrawal bleed typically starts during the week of the inactive tablets.
Immediately after the last pack, begin the next one, even if your period is ongoing. This routine ensures you start new packs on the same day each week and have your period around the same time monthly.
Remember to follow your doctor’s advice, as they may have specific instructions tailored to your needs. What’s more, follow the prescribed steps diligently, including the intake of inactive or placebo tablets, which minimises the risk of forgetting the dosage schedule.[3]
Who can take Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol)?
Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) is a form of low-dose hormonal contraception that prevents pregnancy. As such, in Australia, it can only be taken by women with a prescription from a doctor.[4]
Similar to any drug or medication, connect with a doctor to find out if you can take Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol).
Side effects of Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol)
The prescribed use of Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) may come with physical and mental side effects.[5][6]
Some of the common side effects of Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) may lessen over time. These include:
- feeling nauseous
- experiencing stomach discomfort
- variations in body weight
- experiencing headaches and migraines
- changes in mood, such as depression
- tenderness or discomfort in the breasts
- detection of lumps in the breasts
- occurrence of unexplained vaginal bleeding.
Rare but more serious side effects revolve around thrombosis (blood clots, constricted veins, or blocked arteries). These include:
- experiencing chest discomfort
- shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
- painful swelling in the legs
- weakness or numbness
- severe fainting spells or collapsing
- headaches or migraines that are more severe than normal
- rapid issues in speech or vision
- development of jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- coughing up blood.
5. Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) and other medications
When prescribed contraceptive hormone tablets like Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) are combined with certain medications, they may alter the metabolism of other medications.
Regardless of whether or not these medications are used for women’s health, the concentrations of these in your plasma and tissues can then either increase, as seen with medications like cyclosporin, or decrease, as with lamotrigine.
Medicines you should not use with Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol)
Certain medication interactions with Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) can affect the overall clearance of sex hormones. This can potentially give rise to breakthrough bleeding or even contraceptive failure.
These may include those with microsomal enzymes, such as phenytoin, barbiturates, primidone, carbamazepine, rifampicin, and potentially oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate, griseofulvin, and also St John’s wort.
Additionally, medications like HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., nevirapine) may affect hepatic metabolism.
There’s also a possibility that the enterohepatic circulation of estrogens could be impacted by certain antibiotics, such as penicillins and tetracyclines, leading to lower ethinylestradiol concentrations.[7]
Given this, it’s crucial to discuss your full medication regimen with your doctor to ensure the safe and effective use of all your medications.
How to order Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) through Chemist2U
Make medicine easy with Chemist2U today. Start by uploading your scripts online, which only takes a few simple clicks after you‘ve downloaded our app or used our website. Afterwards, along with the prescribed items on your eScript, you can feel free to add any over-the-counter medications or general pharmacy goods you might need to your cart.
Rest assured that a pharmacy in your community will meticulously prepare and dispense your order, while you sit back and enjoy the convenience of same-day delivery straight from the chemist to you.
What’s more, we will remind you when it’s time to reorder your Femme Tab ED 20 100 (levonorgestrel + ethinylestradiol) or seek a new script from your doctor.
Order home delivery of your medications at Chemist2U today!
References
[1] https://www.nps.org.au/assets/medicines/d918dac5-06a9-4699-b115-a53300ff90e8-reduced.pdf
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430882/
[3] https://www.nps.org.au/assets/medicines/d918dac5-06a9-4699-b115-a53300ff90e8-reduced.pdf
[4] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines/brand/amt,700015531000036100/femme-tab-ed-20-100#poisons
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10715366/
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27680324/
[7] https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/f/femmetab20100tab.pdf
