Microlon

Take this tablet every day for 21 days as described below: This tablet comes in strips of 21 pills, each marked with a day of the week.

• Take your pill at the same time every day.
• Start by taking a pill marked with the correct day of the week.
• Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip. Take one pill each day, until you have finished all 21 pills.
• Swallow each pill whole, with water if necessary. Do not chew the pill.
• After you have taken all 21 pills in the strip, you have seven days when you take no pills. So, if you take the last pill of one pack on a Friday, you will take the first pill of your next pack on the Saturday of the following week.

Within a few days of taking the last pill from the strip, you should have a withdrawal bleed like a period. This bleed may not have finished when it is time to start your next strip of pills.

You don't need to use extra contraception during these seven pill-free days.

Starting this tablet:

• As a new user icrolon or starting the pill again after a break. Either take your first pill on the first day of your next period. By starting in this way, you will have contraceptive protection with your first pill.
• Or if your period has already begun start taking this tablet on day 5 (counting the first day of your period as day 1) whether or not your bleeding has stopped. You must also use extra contraception, such as condoms, until you have taken the first seven pills correctly.

The benefits of taking the pill include:

• It is one of the most reliable reversible methods of contraception if used correctly
• It does not interrupt sex
• It usually makes period regular, lighter and less painful
• It may help with pre-menstrual symptoms

If you ever need to take another medicine at the same time as being on the pill, always tell your doctor, pharmacist or dentist that you're taking this tablet. Also check the leaflets that come with all your medicines to see if they can be taken with hormonal contraceptives.

Some medicines can stop this tablet from working properly-for example:

• Some medicines used to treat epilepsy (Primidone, Phenytoins, Barbiturates, Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine, Topiramate, Felbamate)
• Medicine to treat tuberculosis (Rifampicin)
• Certain HIV medicines (Ritonavir)
• Certain antibiotics (Penicillins, Tetracyclines)
• St. John’s Wort (a herbal remedy)
• Griseofulvin (an antifungal drug)

If you do need to take one of these medicines, this tablet may not be suitable for you or you may be able to take this tablet and use extra contraception for a while. This tablet can also affect how well other medicines work. For example, Cyclosporine and Lamotrigine.

Taking these medicines with food and drink: There are no special instructions about food and drink while on this tablet.

Bleeding between periods should not last long: A few women have a little unexpected bleeding or spotting while they are taking this pill, especially during the first few months. Normally, this bleeding is nothing to worry about and will stop after a day or two. Keep taking this pill as usual; the problem should disappear after the first few strips. You may also have unexpected bleeding if you are not taking your pills regularly, so try to take your pill at the same time every day. Also, unexpected bleeding can sometimes be caused by other medicines. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you get breakthrough bleeding or spotting that:

• Carries on for more than the first few months
• Starts after you’ve been taking this pill for a while
• Carries on even after you’ve stopped taking this pill

Oral Contraceptive preparations