Lovima Daily Contraceptive Tablets Pack of 28

Lovima is a daily hormonal contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy in women and adolescents of child bearing age.

There are 2 main kinds of hormonal contraceptive.

• The combined pill (COC), which contains 2 types of female sex hormone - an oestrogen and a progestogen
• The progestogen-only pill (POP) or a mini-pill

Lovima is a progestogen-only pill (POP) or a mini-pill.

It contains a small amount of one type of female sex hormone, the progestogen desogestrel.

• Most POPs or mini-pills work primarily by preventing the sperm cells from entering the womb but do not always prevent the egg cell from ripening, which is the main way the combined pill work
• Desogestrel is different from other mini-pills in that it works primarily by inhibition of ovulation (preventing the egg cell from ripening)
• In contrast to the combined pill, Lovima can be used by women who do not tolerate oestrogens and by women who are breastfeeding
• A disadvantage is that vaginal bleeding may occur at irregular intervals during the use of Lovima. On the other hand, you may not have any bleeding at all

Lovima like other hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.

Do not take Lovima if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. If you are unsure talk to your pharmacist.

Tablets must be taken every day at about the same time so that the interval between two tablets always is 24 hours. The first tablet should be taken on the first day of menstrual bleeding. Thereafter one tablet each day is to be taken continuously, without taking any notice of possible bleeding. A new blister is started directly the day after the previous one.

The days of the week are printed on the blister strip. Arrows are also printed on the blister strip indicating the order in which to take the pills. Each day corresponds to one tablet. Every time you start a new pack of Lovima, take a tablet from the top row. Don't start with just any tablet. For example, if you start on a Wednesday, you must take the tablet from the top row marked with 'WED' (Wednesday).

How you first start taking Lovima will depend on whether you have previously used another contraception or if you have recently been pregnant. You may also need to use additional contraception for the first 7 days.

If you forget to take Lovima:

If you are less than 12 hours late: Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and take the next tablet at the usual time. Lovima will still protect you from pregnancy.

If you are more than 12 hours late: If you are more than 12 hours late in taking any tablet, you may not be completely protected against pregnancy. The more consecutive tablets you have missed, the higher the risk that you might fall pregnant. Take a tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at the usual time. This may mean taking two in one day. This is not harmful. (If you have forgotten more than one tablet, you don't need to take the earlier missed ones). Continue to take your tablets as usual but you must also use additional barrier contraception (condom) for the next 7 days. If you are more than 12 hours late taking your tablet and have sex consult your pharmacist for advice.

Do not take Lovima if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. If you are unsure talk to your pharmacist.

Talk to your pharmacist, doctor or family planning nurse before taking Lovima:

• If you have had cancer that is affected by progestogen hormones, such as certain types of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial (uterine) cancer
• If you have had a blood clot in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• If you have liver cancer or other liver problems
• If you have high blood pressure
• If you have diabetes
• If you have epilepsy
• If you have tuberculosis
• If you have had chloasma (yellowish-brown pigmentation patches on the skin, particularly of the face)

If any of these apply to you, you may still be able to take Hana but your doctor may want to see you from time to time.

It is common for women taking Lovima to have bleeding patterns that are different from their usual periods. Some women will have bleeding less often, or none at all; some women will have bleeding more often. Bleeding patterns may settle with time. A change in your bleeding pattern is not something you should normally be worried about if you are taking your pill as directed.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

The active substance is Desogestrel (75 microgram).

The other ingredients are: Lactose Monohydrate, Maize Starch, Povidone K30 (E1201),  d-α-Tocopherol (E307), Soybean Oil, Silica, Colloidal Hydrated (E551), Silica, Colloidal Anhydrous (E551), Stearic Acid (E570), Hypromellose 2910 (E464), Polyethylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide (E171).