Description

What is Lovima and what is it used for? Lovima is an oral contraceptive pill that is taken daily to prevent pregnancy in women of childbearing age. It contains just a synthetic form of progesterone, called desogestrel and is, therefore, known as a progesterone-only pill (POP) or the “mini-pill”. Lovima is a perfect contraceptive option for women who do not want to or are unable to tolerate contraceptive pills containing oestrogen, known as the combined oral contraceptive pill. Desogestrel gives women more flexibility, when taking the pill, providing effective protection against pregnancy even if taken up to 12 hours late. Manufactured by Leon Pharma, Lovima has proven to be a very effective and safe medicine and therefore has become the first contraceptive pill, for adult women, to be available to buy through pharmacies without the need for a prescription from your GP. Who can take Lovima? Lovima tablets are indicated for oral contraception for women who are of child-bearing age and are not pregnant. There is no requirement to check blood pressure before or during treatment with Lovima, but this could be offered during a general health check. Breastfeeding is not a contraindication, Lovima may be supplied following a suitability assessment. How does Lovima work? Lovima contains 75 micrograms of the active ingredient, desogestrel which is 99% effective at preventing unplanned pregnancy by replicating how the female body’s natural sex hormone, progesterone works. Desogestrel both thickens the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus and for most women prevents ovulation all together. How do you take Lovima? Before you start taking Lovima, please ensure that you have read and understood the directions in the Patient Information Leaflet, which are summarised below. Lovima is for oral use only to prevent pregnancy. Repeat supplies of Lovima can be issued for women over the age of 18 years once a health questionnaire is completed. Directions: Take one Lovima tablet every day at a similar time, with a glass of water if needed, until the packet is empty. Start each new packet on the top row taking the tablet that correlates with the right day of the week printed on the pack over each tablet and follow the direction of the arrows. When you finish a pack, every 28 days, start a new packet the next day. Do not have a break. How to start Lovima? If you are not currently or have not used any hormonal contraception in the past month: You should wait for your period to begin and take your first Lovima tablet on the first day of your period. You will not need to use any additional contraception such as a condom to prevent pregnancy. If you start Lovima anytime after day 1 of your period use barrier contraception for 7 days. If you are switching from a combined pill, vaginal ring or transdermal patch: Take your first Lovima tablet, the day after your last active tablet, or the day your ring or patch is due to be changed. You will not need to use any additional contraception such as a condom to prevent pregnancy. If you have any break between stopping your previous contraception and starting Lovima you will need additional contraception for the next 7 days. If you are changing from any other progestogen-only-pill: You can switch on any day and you will not need to use additional barrier contraception. If you are changing from an injection or implant or hormonal IUS such as the coil: Start your first Lovima tablet the day your next injection is due or on the day that your implant or your IUS is removed. You will not need to use additional barrier contraception. If you are using Lovima after having a baby: You can start taking Lovima anytime before your period starts. If you start taking Lovima tablets over 21 days after giving birth you must use additional contraception such as condoms, for the first 7 days. Late or Missed Pills If you are over 12 hours late taking your Lovima tablet, you vomit or have diarrhoea within 3-4 hours, this counts as a “missed pill”: You should take the “missed pill” as soon as you remember or as soon as you feel better and then continue to take your pills at the usual time the next day. You may need to take 2 on the same day. You should use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom for 7 days as you may not be protected from pregnancy. If you are more than 12 hours late taking your pill and have had sex, you can use emergency contraception to protect you from pregnancy. See the “warnings” section for more important information. If you are less than 12 hours late taking your Lovima tablet: Take the late pill as soon as you remember and take the next tablet at the usual time. You will still be protected from pregnancy.