What Is Monofeme Used For?

Monofeme is a combined oral contraceptive pill containing ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. It’s commonly known as a birth control pill or ‘the Pill’ and is designed to prevent pregnancy when taken correctly.

Primary Uses

Monofeme is used to prevent pregnancy. Your doctor may have prescribed it for other reasons – ask your doctor if you have questions about why it was prescribed for you.

How It Works

Monofeme prevents pregnancy in several ways: it prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) during each menstrual cycle, changes the cervical mucus consistency making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg, and changes the lining of the uterus making it less suitable for implantation.

How to Take Monofeme

Take one tablet at the same time every day, regardless of how often you have sex. It’s very important to follow the instructions carefully for the medicine to work properly.

Dosage Instructions

Take one tablet every day at the same time. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. It doesn’t matter if you take it before or after food. For first-time users, start with the first white tablet on the first day of your next period. Take 21 white tablets daily, then 7 red tablets daily. Each pack contains 28 tablets total. You must use additional non-hormonal contraception (like condoms) for the first 7 days when starting for the first time.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you’re less than 12 hours late, take the missed tablet immediately and continue as normal. If you’re more than 12 hours late or miss two tablets, take the missed tablet immediately, continue taking tablets at the usual time, and use additional non-hormonal contraception for 7 days. If you miss three or more white tablets, contact your doctor. If you miss red tablets, don’t worry – just continue with the next tablet.

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

Important Warnings

There are several important conditions and situations where Monofeme should not be used, and others where special monitoring is needed.

Who Should Not Take Monofeme

Do not use if you’re allergic to ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel, or similar oral contraceptives. Do not use if you have or have had: blood clots in legs, lungs, or eyes; stroke, angina, or heart attack; uncontrolled high blood pressure; liver disease or tumours; unexplained vaginal bleeding; breast or reproductive organ cancer; migraine with neurological symptoms; diabetes with blood vessel damage; severe lipid disease; sickle cell anaemia; inflammation of the pancreas with high triglycerides. Do not use if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, taking certain hepatitis C medications, or have already experienced menopause.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hepatitis C, diabetes, migraines, breast lumps, gallbladder disease, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, depression, asthma, fibroids, or hereditary angioedema. Also inform your doctor if you’re over 35, overweight, smoke, have a family history of blood clots or stroke, or are planning surgery or long flights.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not use Monofeme if you’re pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Pregnancy must be excluded before starting treatment. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. If you’ve just had a baby, discuss with your doctor before starting Monofeme.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines can interact with Monofeme and affect how well it works, potentially reducing its contraceptive effectiveness or causing unwanted side effects.

• Anti-viral hepatitis C medicines (ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, dasabuvir)
• Rifampicin and rifabutin (for tuberculosis)
• Antibiotics (ampicillin, penicillins, tetracyclines)
• Anti-seizure medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, topiramate, lamotrigine)
• Anti-fungal medicines (griseofulvin, itraconazole, fluconazole)
• HIV medicines (indinavir, ritonavir)
• Modafinil (for excessive sleepiness)
• Corticosteroids (dexamethasone)
• St John’s wort
• Atorvastatin (for cholesterol)
• Paracetamol
• Vitamin C
• Cyclosporin
• Theophyllines (for asthma)

Alcohol & Driving

Make sure you know how Monofeme affects you before driving or operating machinery.

Alcohol

No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the prescribing information.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Make sure you know how Monofeme affects you before you drive or use machines. Some side effects like dizziness or mood changes could affect your ability to drive safely.

Storage

Keep Monofeme in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them. If you remove tablets from the blister pack, they may not keep well.

Overdose Information

If you think you’ve taken too much Monofeme, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine. Overdose symptoms may include feeling sick, vomiting, dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, and menstrual bleeding in women. Serious ill effects have not been reported in children who have taken large doses.

Frequently Asked Questions