Microlut contains the oral progestogen levonorgestrel in a very low dose. The continuous daily ingestion of 0.03mg levonorgestrel prevents conception.
The pregnancy rates of progestogen-only contraceptives are slightly higher than that of conventional progestogen-estrogen combinations. However, Microlut offers a high degree of reliability. When taken correctly (without missing tablets), the chance of becoming pregnant is very low.
Dosage and Administration
The dosage of Microlut is one tablet daily without any break, taken at the same time each day with some liquid as needed.
How to take Microlut
Tablets must be taken in the order directed on the package for the full 28 days without regard to bleeding. This means that after the first pack has been finished, the next should be started without interruption. The days of the week are printed on the pack for convenience.
It is important to maintain an interval of exactly 24 hours between tablets. This interval should by no means be exceeded by more than 3 hours. If, for example, the patient chooses 7 a.m. as the time for taking her tablets, she should try to always take them at this time. Whenever this is impossible, the tablet must be taken by 10 a.m. at the very latest, otherwise protection against conception may decline. The greatest possible reliability of Microlut can be assured only by adhering as closely as possible to the 24-hour-intervals.
How to start Microlut
No preceding hormonal contraceptive use (in the past month)
Tablet taking has to start on the first day of the menstrual bleeding.
Changing from a combined oral contraceptive (COC)
The woman should start with Microlut immediately on the day after the last hormonal tablet of her previous COC and omit the pill-free interval of this COC.
Changing from another progestogen-only method (Minipill, injection or implant)
When switching from another progestogen-only Minipill, the woman may start with Microlut on any day, without any break between tablets.
The woman may switch from an implant on the day of its removal, from an injectable when the next injection would be due, but should in both cases be advised to additionally use a barrier contraceptive method for the first 7 days of tablet taking.
Following abortion
The woman may start immediately.
Following delivery
For breast-feeding women, see the section below. Women who are not breast-feeding should be advised to start in the fourth week after delivery. When starting later, the woman should be advised to additionally use a barrier contraceptive method for the first 7 days of tablet taking. However, if intercourse has already occurred, pregnancy should be excluded before starting Microlut use or the woman has to wait for her first menstrual period.
Management of missed tablets
If even 1 tablet is taken late (i.e. if it is more than 27 hours since the last tablet was taken, i.e. more than three hours later than it should have been taken) or if even 1 tablet is missed, protection against conception may be impaired. The user should take the last missed tablet as soon as she remembers, even if this means taking 2 tablets at the same time. She then continues to take tablets at her usual time. In addition, a barrier method should be used for the next 7 days. If intercourse took place in the preceding 7 days, the possibility of a pregnancy should be considered. The more tablets are missed, the higher the risk of a pregnancy.
Advice in case of vomiting or diarrhoea
If vomiting and/or diarrhoea occur within 3 - 4 hours after tablet taking, absorption may not be complete. In such an event, the advice concerning missed tablets is applicable. If the woman does not want to change her normal tablet-taking schedule, she has to take the extra tablet(s) needed from another pack.
Contraindications
Microlut should not be used in the presence of any of the conditions listed below
- known or suspected pregnancy
- history of ectopic pregnancy
- active venous thomboembolic disorder
- presence or history of arterial and cardiovascular disease (e.g. myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, ischaemic heart disease)
- diabetes mellitus with vascular involvement
- disturbed lipometabolism
- presence or history of severe hepatic disease as long as liver function values have not returned to normal
- presence or history of liver tumours (benign or malignant)
- presence or history of cancer of the breast or genital organs, if sex steroid-influenced
- undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- hypersensitivity to any of the components of Microlut
Adverse Effects
The following undesirable effects have been reported in users of progestogen-only pills, although the causal relationships have not been confirmed:
- menstrual disturbances (e.g. frequent and/or irregular bleeding, amenorrhoea)
- breast tenderness
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- dizziness
- various skin disorders (including acne and hirsutism)
- depressive moods
- change in body weight
- changes in libido
- changes in vaginal secretion
- contact lens intolerance
- hypersensitivity reaction
Storage
Store below 25°C (77°F)
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