MINULET (Gestodene and Ethinyloestradiol)

Minulet Information

Minulet contains two hormones, the gestodene and ethinyloestradiol. Minulet is an oral contraceptive that prevents pregnancy. Minulet prevents pregnancy by inhibiting the egg released by stopping the egg to mature. Minulet changes the cervical mucus consistency making it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg. Minulet changes the lining of the uterus making it less suitable for implantation.

Your doctor may have prescribed Minulet for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Minulet has been prescribed for you.

Minulet Indications

Minulet is indicated as an oral contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.

Minulet Warnings

Tell your doctor if you ever had an allergic reaction to Minulet. Talk to your doctor if you experience any allergic reaction to its active ingredients or any of its inactive ingredients.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of Minulet. Talk to your doctor before taking Minulet. Tell your doctor if you have:

Blood clots in the legs or thrombophlebitis or deep vein thrombosis
Pulmonary embolism
Heart valve or heart rhythm
Heart attack or stroke
Chest pain or angina pectoris
Uncontrolled High blood pressure
Severe types of headache or migraine
Diabetes with blood vessel damage
Breast Cancer
cancer of the lining of the womb, cervix or vagina
Unexplained vaginal bleeding
Liver tumor
liver disease
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or of the skin
High blood levels of cholesterol or triglycerides
Sickle cell anemia
Severe skin itchiness during pregnancy
A history of herpes in pregnancy
Otosclerosis

Furthermore, tell your doctor if you ever experience any of the following as you may need adjustment or you might not be able to use Minulet:

smoking
Breast lumps
Abnormal breast X-ray or mammogram
Diabetes
Heart disease
High cholesterol or blood fats
High blood pressure
Migraine or other headaches
Epilepsy
Depression
Gallbladder disease
Fluid retention or kidney disease
Asthma
Fibroids
Obesity
Recent surgery or trauma
Recently had a baby
Lost a baby in the second trimester
Confined to bed rest for long periods
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin

Minulet should not be used if you are pregnant or if you think you are pregnant.

Minulet and other hormonal contraceptives are not recommended for use during Lactation. There appear no adverse effects on the growth and development of infants if Minulet is used six weeks after childbirth. Minulet does not affect the quantity or quality of the breast milk, although small amounts of hormone can be found in the breast milk.

Minulet Intake Guidelines

Swallow each dose of Minulet with a full glass of water.

Take each dose of Minulet at the same time each day.

Do not take more of Minulet and do not take Minulet than your doctor ordered.

If you haven’t used any hormonal contraceptive in the past month, start taking Minulet on the first day of your cycle.

If you are going to take Minulet after a miscarriage or an abortion, you may start taking Minulet immediately.

Have regular check ups from your doctor, including a Pap smear.

Perform regular breast self-examination.

Minulet Dosage

Take Minulet exactly as directed by you doctor or as directed in the package. If you have any problems understanding it, ask your doctor about it.

Maintain an interval of exactly 24 hours between tablets. This interval should not be exceeded by more than 3 hours. The greatest possible reliability of Minulet can be assured only by adhering as closely as possible to the 24-hour intervals.

Minulet Overdose

Seek immediate medical attention. Immediately call the nearest Poison information center or call the accident and emergency at your nearest hospital.

Sickness and vomiting may occur after an overdose of Minulet.

Minulet Missed Dose

Take the missed dose of Minulet as soon as you remember. If you forget one white tablet but it is less than 12 hours late, take the missed tablet immediately. Take the next tablet at your usual time, even if this means taking two tablets in one day.
If one white tablet is missed and is more then 12 hours late skip the missed tablet and take the next tablet at the usual time.

Minulet Side Effects

Contact your doctor immediately if a blood clot occurs while you are taking Minulet. The warning sign to be looked out for are the following:

unusual cough
severe pain in the chest which may reach the left arm
breathlessness
unusual, severe or prolonged headache
migraine attack
partial or complete loss of vision
double vision
slurring or speech disability
sudden changes to your hearing, sense of smell, or taste
dizziness or fainting
weakness or numbness in any part of your body
severe pain in your abdomen
severe pain or swelling in either of your legs

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if the following occurs:

any changes in your own health
lump in your breast
immobilization or surgery
unusual, heavy vaginal bleeding
missed period within 6 weeks after the last menstrual bleeding
ectopic pregnancy

Contact your doctor if you suspect unwanted effects especially if severe or persistent or if there is a change in your health that you think might be caused by Minulet.

The following are reported effects of Minulet, as in any case of any Minipill, although Minulet alone might not cause these effects.

Sharp chest pain
coughing of blood
sudden shortness of breath
Pain in the calf muscle area
Crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest
Sudden severe headache
Vomiting
Dizziness
Fainting
Disturbances of vision or speech
Weakness
Numbness in an arm or leg
Sudden changes or loss of vision
Breast lumps
Severe pain or tenderness in the stomach area
Jaundice or a yellowing of the skin or eyeballs
Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Dark-colored urine or light colored bowel movements
Liver disease
Migraine headaches for the first time
More frequent migraines if you already suffer from them
Itchy rash
Rise in blood pressure
Swelling around eyes or mouth
Changes in bleeding patterns
Painful periods
Changes in mucus from the vagina
Changes in the cervix
Vaginal thrush
Breast pain, tenderness, enlargement, possible milk secretion
Changes in sex drive
Nausea or vomiting
Abdominal pain, cramps or bloating.
Mood changes
Depression
Headache, including migraines
Nervousness
Dizziness
Contact lenses becoming uncomfortable to wear
Changes to your appearance such as:
Weight change
Swelling of the hands, ankles or feet
Acne
Rash
Darkening of the skin
Loss of scalp hair
Increase in body hair
Chorea
Porphyria
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Varicose veins
Gallbladder disease

Side effects other than those listed in this medication guide may also occur. Talk to your doctor if side effects that seem unusual or especially bothersome occur.

Minulet Drug Reactions

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. Talk to your doctor before using any medicines or any over-the-counter medicines. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: