Loette (New Formulation) (Ethinylestradiol And Levonorgestrel)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Loette (New Formulation) Used For?
Loette is a combined oral contraceptive pill containing two active ingredients: ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. It’s commonly known as ‘the Pill’ and serves multiple purposes for women’s health.
Primary Uses
Loette is primarily used to prevent pregnancy when taken correctly. It’s also prescribed to treat moderate acne in women when skin treatments haven’t worked and who are willing to use contraception.
How It Works
Loette prevents pregnancy in three ways: it stops ovulation (release of eggs from ovaries), makes cervical mucus thicker so sperm can’t reach the egg easily, and changes the uterine lining to make it less suitable for a fertilized egg to implant.
How to Take Loette (New Formulation)
Taking Loette correctly is essential for it to work effectively. The medication comes in a blister pack with pink active tablets and white inactive tablets that you take in a specific sequence.
Dosage Instructions
Take one tablet daily at the same time every day, regardless of sexual activity. Start with a pink tablet on the first day of your period, take 21 pink tablets following the arrows on the pack, then take 7 white tablets. After finishing the white tablets, start a new pack immediately. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water, with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you’re less than 12 hours late taking a pink tablet, take it immediately and continue as normal. If more than 12 hours late, skip that tablet, take the next one at your usual time, and use additional non-hormonal contraception for 7 days. If you miss white tablets, take them when remembered – no additional contraception needed. If you miss multiple pink tablets, contact your doctor.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed tablet. If you miss tablets and reach the end of pink tablets during the 7-day protection period, skip the white tablets and start a new pack immediately.
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 to bleeding patterns
- Painful periods
- Breast tenderness
- Changes in sex drive
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain, cramps or bloating
- Mood changes
- Headaches
- Weight changes
- Swelling of hands, ankles or feet
- Acne
- Loss of scalp hair
- Increase in body hair
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Blood clots
- Worsening or new onset migraines/headaches
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
- Significant rise in blood pressure
- Worsening of existing conditions (e.g., epileptic seizures)
Important Warnings
Loette has several important warnings and contraindications that you must discuss with your doctor before starting treatment.
Who Should Not Take Loette (New Formulation)
Do not use Loette if you’re allergic to ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel, or similar contraceptives; have blood clots, stroke, heart attack, or family history of these conditions; have liver disease, unexplained vaginal bleeding, breast or reproductive organ cancers, or are pregnant. Also avoid if taking certain hepatitis C medications or if you’ve already gone through menopause.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, migraines, breast lumps, gallbladder or kidney disease, epilepsy, depression, asthma, multiple sclerosis, or hereditary angioedema. Also inform them if you’re over 35, overweight, smoke heavily, or have lactose intolerance.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Pregnancy must be ruled out before starting Loette. Stop taking it immediately if you become pregnant. Discuss with your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, as your doctor will explain the risks and benefits.
Blood Clot Risk: Blood clots are rare but serious. Risk is highest in the first year of use or when restarting after a 4+ week break. Tell your doctor about family history of blood clots, recent surgery, long flights, or other risk factors.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Loette, either affecting how well it works or causing unwanted side effects. Some medicines may reduce Loette’s contraceptive effectiveness.
Reduced Effectiveness: When taking medicines that reduce Loette’s effectiveness, use additional non-hormonal contraception during treatment and for 7 days after stopping (or 4 weeks for rifampicin). If the 7 days extend into white tablets, skip them and start a new pack.
- Anti-viral hepatitis C medications (ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, dasabuvir)
- Antibiotics (rifampicin, rifabutin, ampicillin, penicillins, tetracyclines)
- Anti-seizure medications (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, topiramate)
- Anti-fungal medicines (griseofulvin, itraconazole, fluconazole)
- HIV medications (indinavir, ritonavir)
- St John’s wort
- Corticosteroids (dexamethasone)
- Modafinil
- Atorvastatin
- Paracetamol
- Vitamin C
- Ciclosporin
- Theophyllines
- Lamotrigine
Alcohol & Driving
Be aware of how Loette affects you before driving or operating machinery, as it may impact your ability to perform these activities safely.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Make sure you know how Loette affects you before driving or using machines. Monitor yourself for any side effects that might impair your ability to drive safely.
Storage
Store Loette in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep tablets in the blister pack until you’re ready to take them, as removing them early may affect how well they keep. Store away from children and pets.
Overdose Information
If you suspect an overdose or have taken more tablets than prescribed, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or poison control center immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before seeking help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Loette is effective from the first day if you start taking it on the first day of your period. If you start on days 2-7 of your period, use additional non-hormonal contraception for the first 7 days.
Yes, you can take Loette with or without food. It doesn’t matter whether you take it before or after eating.
If you vomit within 3-4 hours of taking a pink tablet, take an extra pink tablet from a backup pack. Continue using additional non-hormonal contraception during illness and for 7 days after recovery.
Yes, you can delay your period by skipping the 7 white tablets and starting a new pack immediately after finishing the pink tablets. You may experience some breakthrough bleeding, but you won’t have a withdrawal bleed until you take the white tablets.
If less than 12 hours late, take the missed pink tablet immediately. If more than 12 hours late, skip it and use additional contraception for 7 days. Missing white tablets doesn’t require additional contraception.
You need a thorough medical check-up before starting Loette, including Pap smear, breast check, blood pressure check, and urine test. Continue having regular check-ups, Pap smears, and perform regular breast self-examinations as recommended by your doctor.
Yes, but follow specific instructions. Stop your current pill after the last active tablet, start Loette the next day with a pink tablet, and use additional contraception until you’ve taken pink tablets for 7 consecutive days.
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.