What Is Brevinor Used For?

Brevinor is a combined oral contraceptive, commonly known as a ‘birth control pill’ or ‘the Pill’. It contains both an estrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progestogen (norethisterone) hormone.

Primary Uses

Brevinor is used for birth control to prevent pregnancy. Your doctor may have also prescribed it for another reason.

How It Works

Brevinor works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) during each menstrual cycle. It also causes changes to the mucus of the cervix and the lining of the womb which contribute to the contraceptive action.

How to Take Brevinor

You must take Brevinor every day, regardless of how often you have sex. Brevinor will work best if you don’t miss any tablets and take it at the same time each day.

Dosage Instructions

Swallow one Brevinor tablet with a glass of water daily. Start with your first tablet on the first day of your next period. Take one blue tablet daily for 21 days from the green section, then one orange tablet daily for 7 days. Start a new pack the day after your last orange tablet, even if still bleeding. This product is effective from the first day if taken as directed.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss a blue active tablet and are less than 12 hours late, take it immediately and continue as normal. If more than 12 hours late, don’t take the missed tablet – take the next day’s tablet at usual time and use additional non-hormonal contraception for 7 days. If you miss an orange inactive tablet, take it when you remember – no additional contraception needed.

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• Changes in bleeding patterns including breakthrough bleeding
• Spotting
• Painful periods
• Stomach discomfort including pain, cramps, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Change in menstrual flow and cervical secretions
• Weight changes
• Swelling of hands, ankles or feet
• Skin discoloration
• Breast changes (tenderness, enlargement, secretion)
• Headaches including migraines
• Nervousness, dizziness
• Mood changes including depression
• Fatigue
• Hair growth or loss
• Acne, rashes, itching
• Leg cramps, back ache
• Change in sexual drive
• Vaginal thrush, irritation
• Contact lens discomfort
• Change in appetite

Important Warnings

You must have a thorough medical check-up before starting Brevinor, including a Pap smear, breast check, blood pressure check and urine test.

Who Should Not Take Brevinor

Do not take if you have allergies to ethinylestradiol, norethisterone or any ingredients; blood clots or history of blood clots; hereditary disposition for blood clots; multiple VTE risk factors; arterial thromboembolism; migraine with neurological symptoms; uncontrolled high blood pressure; diabetes with blood vessel damage; liver disease; unexplained vaginal bleeding; pregnancy; cancer of breast or sex organs; family history of breast problems; herpes of pregnancy; or ear disorders that worsened in pregnancy.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: cancer, lupus, blood disorders, Crohn’s disease, sickle cell disease, recent surgery/trauma, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Hepatitis C, diabetes, migraines, breast lumps, gallbladder disease, epilepsy, asthma, vision changes, depression, or hereditary angioedema. Also inform if you’re over 35, overweight, or a heavy smoker.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take if pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding to discuss risks and benefits.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with the effectiveness of Brevinor. You must use additional non-hormonal contraception while taking these medicines and for 7 days after stopping them.

• Anti-viral hepatitis C medicines (glecaprevir, pibrentasvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, dasabuvir)
• Tuberculosis medicines (rifampicin, rifabutin)
• Antibiotics (ampicillin, oxacillin, tetracyclines, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim)
• Anti-fungal agents (griseofulvin, itraconazole, fluconazole)
• Epilepsy medicines (phenobarbitone, phenytoin, primidone, carbamazepine, topiramate)
• HIV treatment (ritonavir, indinavir)
• Modafinil for excessive sleepiness
• Corticosteroids (dexamethasone)
• St John’s wort
• Atorvastatin for high cholesterol
• Paracetamol and Vitamin C
• Ciclosporin for organ rejection
• Theophyllines for asthma
• Lamotrigine for seizures

Alcohol & Driving

This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Brevinor should not impair your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.

Storage

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again. Do not take if packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If expired or damaged, return to your pharmacist for disposal.

Overdose Information

If you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Brevinor, immediately telephone your doctor, pharmacist, or Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort. Serious ill effects have not been reported in children who have taken large doses. Overdosage may cause nausea and may be followed by vaginal bleeding in some women.

Frequently Asked Questions