Drovelis Contraceptive Pill

Buy Drovelis Tablets

Drovelis Tablets are a combined contraceptive pill designed to prevent pregnancy. 

How Drovelis Tablets work

Drovelis Tablets contain two different hormones, making them a ‘combined’ pill. The hormones work together to prevent ovulation and reduce the chance of an egg being fertilised. 

Directions

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

Each blister contains 28 tablets. 24 tablets are pink active tablets and are numbered 1-24. 4 tablets are white placebo tablets, numbered 25-28.

When you start a new blister, take number 1 of the first pink active tablets. Then, choose from your 7 weekday stickers to help you keep on track. For example, if you start your first tablet on a Tuesday, use the label that matches. Place it on the frame on the front of the blister card on the arrow symbol. Each day will line up with a row of pills.

Take 1 tablet at the same time each day with water. 

When you can first start taking Drovelis Tablets 

If you have not used contraception with hormones in the previous month 

Start taking the tablets on the first day of your period. If you start on your first day, you will be immediately protected from pregnancy. You can also start on days 2-5 of your cycle. However, you must use extra contraception for the first 7 days.

Changing from a combined hormonal contraceptive or combined contraceptive ring or patch

You can start taking Drovelis on the day after your last active tablet of your previous pill. At the latest, you can start taking the tablets on the day after the tablet-free days of your last pills have finished.

When changing from a combined contraceptive ring or patch, you must follow the advice from your doctor.

Changing from a progesterone-only method

You can switch from the progesterone-only pill any day. You can also change from an implant or an intrauterine device (IUD) on the day it's removed. If you are changing from an injectable, you can start taking Drovelis when the next injection is due. 

In all of these cases, you must use extra contraception for the first 7 days of taking the tablets.

After having a baby

You can start taking Drovelis between 21 and 28 days after having a baby. If you start after 28 days, you must use extra contraception during the first 7 days. 

If you have had sex after having a baby, before you start taking these tablets, you must make sure you are not pregnant or wait until your next period.

After a miscarriage or abortion

Follow the advice of your doctor before taking Drovelis if you have had a miscarriage or an abortion. 

If you forget to take Drovelis

The last 4 tablets in the strip are a placebo. If you forget to take one of these tablets, then the reliability of your tablets will not be affected. 

If you miss a pink tablet and are less than 24 hours late, your protection against pregnancy is not reduced. Take your tablet as soon as possible, then take your following tablets at the same time. 

If you are more than 24 hours late taking your pink tablet, the protection against pregnancy may be reduced. The more tablets you forget to take, the higher the risk of pregnancy.

One forgotten pink tablet between days 1-7 

Take the forgotten tablet as soon as possible, even if you have to take 2 tablets at the same time. Continue to take your tablets at the usual time and use extra protection for the next 7 days. 

One forgotten pink tablet between days 8-17 

Take the forgotten tablet as soon as possible, even if you have to take 2 tablets at the same time. Continue to take your tablets at the usual time. Your protection against pregnancy is not reduced and you don’t need to take any extra precautions. 

One forgotten pink tablet between days 18-24

If you forget your tablet between days 18-24, you have two options:

Option 1 - Take the forgotten tablet as soon as possible, even if it means taking 2 tablets at the same time. Continue to take your tablets at the usual time. Instead of taking the white placebo on this strip, throw them away and start the next strip. It’s likely you will have a period at the end of the second strip. 

Option 2 - You can stop taking the pink active tablets and go directly to the white placebo tablets. Before you take the white placebo, record which day you forgot your tablet. If you want to start your new strip on the day you always start, take the white placebo tablets for less than the full 4 days. 

If you have forgotten more than 1 tablet on the strip, ask your doctor for advice. 

Side effects

Drovelis Tablets may cause side effects in some people, but these won’t affect everybody. Common side effects include: 

• Mood swings
• Low libido 
• Abdominal pain 
• Nausea 
• Acne
• Breast pain 
• Painful periods 
• Vaginal bleeding (during or outside periods, including heavy, irregular bleeding)

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 taking 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. When a woman stops taking the pill, the risk of breast cancer gradually reduces.  

Warnings

Drovelis Tablets may be unsuitable for certain people. Do not take these tablets if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or if:

• You have or have ever had a blood clot in a blood vessel of your legs (deep vein thrombosis), your lungs (pulmonary embolism) or any other organs
• You have a disorder that affects blood clotting e.g. protein C deficiency, antithrombin-III deficiency, factor V Leiden or antiphospholipid antibodies 
• You need an operation or you will be off your feet for a long time 
• You have ever had a heart attack or stroke 
• You have had or have ever had angina pectoris or a transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• You have a disease that may increase your risk of a blood clot in the arteries e.g. severe diabetes with blood vessel damage, very high blood pressure, a very high level of fat in the blood or hyperhomocysteinaemia 
• You have or have ever had a type of migraine called ‘migraine with aura’ 
• You have kidney failure 
• You have or have ever had or are suspected of breast cancer or cancer of the genital organs 
• You have any unexplained bleeding from the vagina 

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

• A close relative has or has ever had breast cancer 
• You have hereditary or acquired angioedema
• You have liver or gallbladder disease 
• You have diabetes
• You have depression 
• You have epilepsy 
• You have Chron’s disease 
• You have ulcerative colitis 
• You have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• You have haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)
• You have sickle-cell anaemia 
• You have elevated levels of fat in the blood
• You need an operation and will be off your feet for a long time
• You have varicose veins
• You have or have ever had chloasma 
• You have a disease that first appeared during pregnancy or earlier use of sex hormones e.g. hearing loss, porphyria, gestational herpes or Sydenham’s chorea

Using/taking other medicines

If you are taking or have recently taken any medication, including medication obtained without a prescription, talk to your GP or pharmacist before taking these tablets. 

Some medicines change how effective Drovelis Tablets are or can cause unexpected bleeding. These medicines include:

• Epilepsy medication e.g. barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, felbamate, oxcarbazepine or topiramate
• Medication for tuberculosis e.g. rifampicin  
• HIV and hepatitis C medication e.g. protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors such as ritonavir, nevirapine, efavirenz 
• Medicines for fungal infections e.g. griseofulvin 
• Medication to treat high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs e.g. bosentan  

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

You must not take these tablets if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.  Drovelis is not recommended during breast-feeding.  If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you might be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, you must ask your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist for advice before taking any new product. 

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. Do not throw away this product away via wastewater or household waste.

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 taking this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.