Logynon
Logynon or Logynon ED is the brand name of an oral contraceptive manufactured by Bayer. Logynon overrides the body’s natural hormone levels in order to prevent conception. It can also be taken to reduce a heavy menstrual flow or to regulate an irregular period.
Ovranette is an alternate brand name for the same medication. Logynon and other oral contraceptives are sometimes simply called “The Pill.”
How Does Logynon Work?
Logynon is a triphasic combined contraceptive pill. This means that its active components, ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel, are released in three different levels throughout the month. These synthetic hormones mimic the behaviour of oestrogen and progestogen, hormones that are naturally released during pregnancy in order to prevent another conception. These hormones prevent ovulation, thicken the fluid at the neck of the womb (thus making entrance more difficult for sperm) and make the endometrium less likely to accept a fertilised egg.
Logynon Dosage
This triphasic birth control pill is color coded to indicate dose. The six beige tablets contain 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 50 micrograms of levonorgestrel. The five white tablets contain 40 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 75 micrograms of levonorgestrel. The ten green tablets contain 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 125 micrograms of levonorgestrel.
How Often is Logynon Taken?
Take Logynon once daily in the order prescribed for 21 days. Take a pill at the same time each day. Your period will occur during the seven pill-free days. It’s best to start taking the pill on the first day of your cycle, but you can start at up to day five and still be protected from pregnancy. Consult with a doctor or nurse to determine whether you’ll need additional contraception during the first week.
How Effective is Logynon?
Over the course of a year, Logynon prevents pregnancy in 99 out of 100 women who take it as prescribed. Since people do not always take pills as prescribed, the actual reported effectiveness is about 92%.
Logynon Side Effects
The most common side effects of Logynon are nausea and weight gain due to bloating. Some rare side effects, such as thrombosis, can be life-threatening. Some other side effects include:
- acne
- breakthrough bleeding
- breast tenderness
- candiditis
- chloasma (skin darkening in patches)
- gallstones
- hypertension
- liver impairment
- migraine
What Other Medications Affect Logynon?
The medications listed below can speed up your processing of hormones. This increased metabolism can make birth control pills less effective.
- aprepitant
- bosentan
- barbiturates
- carbamazepine
- eslicarbazepine
- modafinil
- nevirapine
- oxcarbazepine
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- primidone
- rifampicin
- rifabutin
- ritonavir
- St. John's wort
- topiramate
Additionally, Logynon can alter the effects of the following drugs:
- melatonin
- selegiline
- tacrolimus
- theophylline
- tizanidine
- voriconazole
Who Should Not Take Logynon?
You should not use Logynon if you’re at special risk of having a blood clot, heart attack or stroke. Some diseases and health conditions associated with such risk include angina pectoris, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity. Logynon is also not to be used if:
- you’re breastfeeding;
- you've had a blood clotting disturbance or varicose veins;
- you’ve had severe headaches with focal impairment;
- you’ve had pancreatitis or liver disease;
- you’ve had certain cancers;
- you smoke more than 40 cigarettes per day.
