Akizza Contraceptive Pill

Buy Akizza 75mcg Tablets

Akizza 75mcg Tablets is a combined oral contraceptive pill designed to prevent pregnancy. 

How Akizza 75mcg Tablets work

Akizza 75mcg Tablets contain 2 types of female sex hormones; ethinylestradiol and gestodene. Both of the hormones prevent the release of the egg from the ovaries and thicken the mucus in the neck of the womb, making it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg.  

Akizza also affects the lining of the womb, making it harder to accept a fertilised egg.

Directions

Always take Akizza 75mcg Tablets exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor / Chemist4U pharmacist has told you. 

Take 1 tablet each day around the same time. Each strip contains 21 tablets. After you have taken the 21 tablets you should stop for 7 days. During the 7 day gap, you will experience ‘withdrawal bleeding’. After 7 days you should start taking the pill again.

When you can first start taking Akizza

No hormonal contraception has been taken in the previous cycle

You can start taking Akizza on the first day of your menstrual cycle to get immediate protection from pregnancy. You can also start taking it on the 2nd to 5th day, however, additional contraception will be required.

Changing from combined oral contraceptive, combined vaginal ring or patch

You can start taking the tablet on the day after taking your last active tablet but no later than a day following your tablet-free days of the previous pill. If you are switching from the combined vaginal ring or patch you should follow advice given to you from your GP or pharmacist.

Changing from a progestogen-only pill or the injection, implant or progestogen-releasing IUS  

You can switch any day, however, using extra contraception is recommended for the first 7 days of taking Akizza.

After miscarriage or abortion

You should follow the advice of your GP or a pharmacist. 

After childbirth

You can start taking Akizza 21 to 28 days after childbirth. If you start taking the pill after 28 days, additional contraception is required.

If you forget to take Akizza 

If you forget to take Akizza and you are less than 12 hours late taking the tablet, you should take the tablet as soon as you remember and then continue to take Akizza again at the usual time. 

If you are more than 12 hours late taking your tablet then your protection against pregnancy will be reduced. The more tablets you forget to take, the higher the risk of pregnancy.

Side effects

Like all products, Akizza may cause side effects in some people, but these won’t affect everybody. Common side effects include: 

• Feeling sick
• Stomach ache 
• Putting on weight
• Headaches 
• Depressive moods or mood swings
• Sore or painful breasts 

For more information on potential side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet. If you experience any side effects, including any not included in the patient information leaflet, you can report them using the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Serious side effects

Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any signs of a severe allergic reaction, symptoms of which include swelling of the face and throat, skin rash, breathing difficulties and/or loss of consciousness. 

The risk of developing a blood clot is higher in your first year of taking the contraceptive pill, however, this is a rare side effect. After the first year, the risk gets smaller but is always higher than if you weren't using a combined oral contraceptive pill. 

The risk of breast cancer is slightly higher in women taking any contraceptive pill. A woman’s risk is higher the older she is rather than how long she has been on the pill for. When a woman stops taking the pill, the risk of breast cancer gradually reduces.  

Warnings

Akizza may be unsuitable for certain people. Do not take this product if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or if:

• You have ever had a blood clot in the legs (DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• You have a disorder that affects blood clotting 
• You need an operation and will be immobile for a long period of time
• You have ever had a heart attack or stroke 
• You have or have ever had angina
• You have ever had a transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• You have severe diabetes with blood vessel damage
• You have very high blood pressure
• You have a very high level of fat in the blood 
• You have hyperhomocysteinemia 
• You have or have ever had migraines with aura 
• You have or have ever had breast cancer
• You have ever had liver tumours
• You have ever had severe liver disease and your liver function hasn’t returned to normal

Talk to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product if: 

• You experience symptoms of angioedema 
• You have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis 
• You have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• You have haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)
• You have sickle cell anaemia 
• You have inflammation of the pancreas 
• You have elevated levels of fat in the blood or a family history of this condition
• You have inflammation of the veins under the skin
• You have varicose veins 
• You or your family have had problems with your heart or circulation
• You or your family have ever had problems with blood clotting
• You have porphyria 
• You are overweight 
• You have migraines 
• You have an illness that worsened during pregnancy or previous use of the pill

Using/taking other medicines

You should talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medication. 

Medicines that can make Akizza less effective include: 

• Medicines for digestive problems (e.g. laxatives)
• Medications for psychological disorders or epilepsy (e.g. barbiturates, modafinil and St John’s wort)
• Medicines for infections (e.g. ritonavir, ampicillin and other penicillins) 
• Antifungal medicines (e.g. griseofulvin)
• Medicines for pain and anti-inflammatory drugs
• Drugs used after transplant (e.g. cyclosporine) 
• Vitamin C
• Paracetamol 
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs (e.g. atorvastatin)
• Medicines for asthma (e.g. theophylline)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

This product should not be used during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, you must ask your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist for advice before taking any new product. 

Driving and operating machinery 

This tablet does not alter your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Storage information

Store in a cool, dry place out of sight and reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date, referring to the last day of the month stated on the packaging.

Important information

Make sure to speak to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist if this product is right for you.

Store out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.