TriRegol Contraceptive Pill

Buy TriRegol

TriRegol is a combined contraceptive pill that prevents a woman from becoming pregnant. It contains two different types of hormones, an oestrogen and a progestogen. If used correctly, the combined contraceptive pill is one of the most reliable and reversible methods of contraception. 

How TriRegol works

TriRegol contains two types of hormones: an oestrogen, ethinylestradiol, and a progestogen, levonorgestrel. It’s a triphasic contraceptive, meaning that each pack contains three levels of hormones that reflect the changing levels in your normal menstrual cycle. 

These hormones prevent the ovary from releasing an egg each month. They also thicken the mucus at the neck of the womb, making it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg, and alter the womb's lining to make it less likely to accept a fertilised egg.

Directions

Always take TriRegol exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor / Chemist4U pharmacist has told you. Each blister pack contains 21 tablets. When broken down, this equates to:

• 6 pink tablets, with each containing 30 mg ethinylestradiol and 50 mg levonorgestrel
• 5 white tablets, with each containing 40 mg ethinylestradiol and 75 mg levonorgestrel
• 10 ochre tablets, with each containing 30 mg ethinylestradiol and 125 mg levonorgestrel 

Take the first pill on the first day of your period. This is day one of your cycle - the day when bleeding starts. If you start on days 2-5 of your period, you should use another method of contraception as well, such as the condom, for the first 7 pill-taking days, but this is only for the first pack. You can take your pill at any time, but you should take it at about the same time each day.

You may find it easiest to take it either last thing at night or first thing in the morning. Take a pill every day in the order shown until you finish all 21 pills in the pack. Once you have taken all 21 pills, stop for 7 days. 

You will probably bleed during some of these seven days. You do not need to use any other form of contraception during the 7-day break, provided you have taken the 21 pills properly and you start the next pack on time. 

After 7 pill-free days, start your next pack. Do this whether or not you are still bleeding. You will always start a new pack on the same day of the week. If you miss a pill or experience vomiting or diarrhoea, please refer to the patient information leaflet for advice. 

Changing to TriRegol from another combined hormonal contraceptive (combined pill, vaginal ring, transdermal patch) 

You should start TriRegol the day after you took the last active tablet in your previous blister pack of contraceptive pills (or removed the transdermal patch or vaginal ring). The next pack should be started no later than on the day after the usual pill-free (or placebo, patch-free or ring-free) interval with your previous contraceptive.

Changing to TriRegol from a progestogen-only pill 

You can stop taking pills only containing progestogen at any time and start taking TriRegol the next day at the same time. But be sure to use additional contraceptive precautions (such as condoms or spermicides) during intercourse for the first 7 days of taking the pill.

Changing to TriRegol from a contraceptive injection or implant 

If you have had an injection or implant of the hormone progestogen, you can start taking TriRegol on the day your next injection is due or on the day your implant is removed. However, you should use another method of contraception (such as condoms or spermicides) during intercourse in the first 7 days of taking the pill.

Starting after childbirth, miscarriage or abortion

Your prescriber will advise you when you can start taking the pill after childbirth, miscarriage or abortion.

Side effects

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

• Depressive moods
• Mood swings
• Headaches
• Feeling or being sick
• Abdominal pain
• Gallstones
• Acne
• Chloasma (yellow-brown patches on the skin)
• Breast tenderness
• Breast pain
• Bleeding from the uterus that is not due to menstruation
• Increase in body weight 

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. 

Taking the combined pill may slightly increase the risk of blood circulation disorders, which can lead to thrombosis (blood clots in veins or arteries). However, this is very rare.

Using the pill long-term might slightly increase the risk of cervical and breast cancer. The breast cancer risk is only slightly higher for pill users and returns to normal 10 years after stopping. 

Rarely, the pill can cause liver disease or benign/malignant liver tumours, which may lead to serious bleeding.

Some women using hormonal contraceptives, like TriRegol, have reported depression or low mood, which can sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts. If you notice mood changes or depressive symptoms, contact your doctor straight away.

Warnings

TriRegol may be unsuitable for certain people. Do not take this product if you are allergic to ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel or any of the other listed ingredients. TriRegol also contains lactose, sucrose and sodium. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your prescriber before taking this product. 

Do not take this product if you have any of the following:

• If you have ever had a disorder affecting your blood circulation known as thrombosis (for example, blood clots in your legs, lungs, heart, brain, eyes or any other part of your body)
• If you have ever had a heart attack, angina (severe chest pain) or a stroke
• If you or any member of your close family have any medical condition which makes you more at risk of developing blood clots 
• If you have diabetes with changes to the blood vessels
• If you have or have ever had a disorder of blood vessels in the eye
• If you have severe high blood pressure
• If you have any heart and/or vessel disorders, such as irregular heart rhythm or a heart valve disease
• If you have liver disease or if you have ever had this
• If you have liver tumours or if you have ever had these
• If you have breast cancer or other cancer, for example, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, or cancer of the uterus (womb)
• If you have unusual bleeding from your vagina
• If you have or have ever had migraine
• If you have hepatitis C

Talk to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this medicine if you have any of the following: 

• If you, or any member of your family, have a blood-fat (lipid) disorder called hypertriglyceridaemia, as this disorder can increase your risk of getting pancreatitis
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
• If you have itching of your whole body (pruritus)
• Gallstones
• An inherited disease called porphyria
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• A blood disorder called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) 
• The movement disorder called Sydenham's chorea
• The rash known as herpes gestationis
• The inherited form of deafness known as otosclerosis
• Disturbed liver function
• Diabetes
• Depression or mood changes
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Brown patches on your face and body (chloasma)

Using/taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. These medicines include:

• Medicines used to treat hepatitis C, such as: ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir
• Antibiotics (such as ampicillin, tetracycline and rifampicin)
• Medicines used to treat epilepsy or other illnesses, such as primidone, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, hydantoins or barbiturates (such as phenobarbital)
• Ritonavir (a medicine used to treat HIV infections)
• Griseofulvin (a medicine used to treat fungal infections)
• Certain medicines used to treat depression (tricyclic anti-depressants)
• Cyclosporine (a suppressor of the immune system used e.g. during transplantation and in rheumatoid arthritis)
• The herbal remedy St John's wort

Age restrictions 

This product is only suitable for those aged 18 years and above.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

TriRegol must not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding. 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 medicine. 

Driving and operating machinery 

TriRegol is unlikely to have any effect on the ability to drive and use machines. 

Storage information

Store below 25°C 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 any medicines via wastewater or household waste.

Important information

This product is a medicine; 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 medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines 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.