Brevinor-1 (Ethinylestradiol And Norethisterone)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Brevinor-1 Used For?
Brevinor-1 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-1 is used for birth control to prevent pregnancy. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason as well.
How It Works
Brevinor-1 works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) during each menstrual cycle. It also causes changes to the cervical mucus and the lining of the womb which contribute to the contraceptive effect.
Good to know: This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
How to Take Brevinor-1
You must take Brevinor-1 every day, regardless of how often you have sex. Brevinor-1 will work best if you don’t miss any tablets and take it at the same time each day.
Dosage Instructions
Swallow one Brevinor-1 tablet with a glass of water daily. For first-time users: Start on the first day of your next period. Take the first white tablet from the top row that matches the day of the week. Continue taking one tablet daily following the arrows for 21 white tablets, then take one orange tablet daily for 7 days. Start the next pack the day after your last orange tablet, even if still bleeding. When switching from other contraceptives, follow specific timing instructions and use additional non-hormonal contraception for 7 days.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a white active tablet and are less than 12 hours late: take it immediately and continue as normal. If more than 12 hours late: skip the missed tablet, take the next day’s tablet at usual time, and use additional non-hormonal contraception for 7 days. If you miss more than one white tablet, contact your doctor. If you miss an orange inactive tablet, take it when you remember – no additional contraception needed.
Important: Do not try to make up for missed doses by taking more than one tablet at a time.
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, breakthrough bleeding, spotting
- Painful periods or absence of periods
- Stomach discomfort, abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Change in menstrual flow and cervical secretions
- Weight changes
- Swelling of hands, ankles or feet
- Dark skin discoloration, blotchy discoloration on face or limbs
- Breast changes (tenderness, enlargement, secretion)
- Headaches, including migraines
- Nervousness, dizziness
- Mood changes, including depression
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Hair growth or loss of scalp hair, increased body hair
- Acne, rashes, itching
- Leg cramps, back ache
- Change in sexual drive
- Vaginal thrush, vaginal irritation, change in vaginal mucus
- Pre-menstrual-like symptoms
- Suppression of milk production
- Contact lenses becoming uncomfortable
- Change in appetite
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Unexplained or persistent head, chest, arm or breastbone pain
- Severe pain, swelling or discoloration in legs
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Blurred or double vision, partial or complete loss of sight
- Eye protrusion, swelling or lesions
- Dizziness or fainting with loss of balance
- Sweating, nausea or vomiting with unusual cough
- Weakness or numbness in any body part
- Discomfort radiating to back, jaw, throat or stomach
- Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain with fever
- Feeling of indigestion or choking
- Rectal bleeding
- Feeling tired with loss of appetite or weight loss
- First-time migraine headaches or more frequent/severe migraines
- Breast lumps
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes) with fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, nausea and vomiting
Important Warnings
Brevinor-1 has serious risks and is not suitable for everyone. You must have a thorough medical check-up before starting, including Pap smear, breast check, blood pressure check and urine test.
Who Should Not Take Brevinor-1
Do not take if you have allergies to ethinylestradiol, norethisterone, or similar medicines; blood clots or history of blood clots in legs, lungs, or eyes; stroke, angina, or mini stroke; uncontrolled high blood pressure; diabetes with blood vessel damage; liver disease or tumours; unexplained vaginal bleeding; cancer or suspected cancer of breast or sex organs; family history of breast problems; or if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Also avoid if taking anti-viral hepatitis C medications containing glecaprevir, pibrentasvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, or dasabuvir.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you or family members have had blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. Discuss if you have: cancer, lupus, kidney disorders, Crohn’s disease, sickle cell disease, recent surgery/trauma, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hepatitis C, diabetes, migraines, breast lumps, gallbladder/liver/kidney 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.
Blood Clot Risk: Blood clots are rare but the risk is highest during the first year of taking oral contraceptives or when restarting after a 4+ week break. Tell your doctor about planned surgery at least 4 weeks in advance.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Brevinor-1’s effectiveness, requiring additional non-hormonal contraception for 7 days after stopping the interfering medicine.
- 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 cholesterol
- Paracetamol and vitamin C
- Ciclosporin for organ rejection
- Theophyllines for asthma
- Lamotrigine for seizures
Alcohol & Driving
Brevinor-1 is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Driving and Operating Machinery
This medicine should not impair your ability to drive a car or operate machinery safely.
Storage
Store Brevinor-1 according to package instructions. 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-1, immediately telephone your doctor, pharmacist, or the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort. Serious ill effects have not been reported in children who have taken large doses. Overdose may cause nausea and possibly vaginal bleeding in some women.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brevinor-1 is effective from the first day if you start taking it on the first day of your period as directed. If switching from another contraceptive, you may need to use additional non-hormonal contraception for 7 days.
The leaflet doesn’t specify food restrictions. You should swallow one tablet with a glass of water daily. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns about taking it with food.
If you vomit or have diarrhea, Brevinor-1’s effectiveness may be reduced. Continue taking your tablets but also use non-hormonal contraception (like condoms) for seven days after the vomiting or diarrhea stops.
Do not stop taking Brevinor-1 without checking with your doctor. If you stop or don’t take a tablet every day without using another form of contraception, you may become pregnant.
No, Brevinor-1 does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases like HIV-AIDS, chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, or hepatitis B. Use barrier methods like condoms for STD protection.
Visit your doctor regularly for check-ups including Pap smears and breast checks. See your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects, miss a period, become pregnant, or need surgery.
Brevinor-1 may suppress milk production. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor if you plan to breastfeed while taking this medication.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.