Logynon is a hormonal contraceptive pill which is made up of two active ingredients: ethynylestradiol, which is a synthetic form of estrogen, and levonorgestrel, a synthetic form of progesterone.

Logynon is a 'tri-phasic' combined contraceptive pill. The dosage of the synthetic hormones (levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol) will change thrice in a month. The pill tricks the body into thinking that ovulation has already happened. As a result, the body does not ripen and release an egg from the ovaries. Even if an egg is fertilized and released by the ovaries, Logynon increases the thickness of the natural mucus which is present at the womb’s neck. This makes it difficult for the sperm to cross from the vagina into the womb.

It is necessary that you take the pills in the prescribed order for the medicine to be effective. After completing the 21-day cycle, you will take a 7-day break. During this period, your natural hormone levels will drop and you will experience menstruation as usual. Post the 7 days, you will begin taking your next set of pills.

If you start using the pill on the first to the fifth day of your period, you will be protected against pregnancy immediately. If you start taking it later during the cycle (making sure that you are not pregnant), you will need to use additional contraception methods like condoms for at least seven days until the Logynon pill starts working.

There is no ideal way of stopping the pill. You can stop taking it during the course, or complete your 21-day pack and then stop the pill.

Logynon can be purchased online via MedsNow. However, this is a prescription-only medication. Hence, you will need to consult your GP to ensure that this is the right medication for you.

The medicine should be taken with water or a liquid. It can be taken with food or without food.

The triphasic pills are marked with different dosage of hormones. Each 21-day pack contains three types of tablets, which contain slightly different doses of hormones in it. There are six light brown tablets which contain 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol and 50 micrograms levonorgestrel, five white tablets which contain 40 micrograms ethinylestradiol and 75 micrograms levonorgestrel, and ten ochre tablets which contain 30 micrograms ethinylestradiol and 125 micrograms levonorgestrel.

You must follow the 21-day schedule as recommended on the pack, taking one pill every day.

Logynon is a prescription-only medicine. It shouldn’t be taken if:

• You have ever had a blood clot

• You suffer from angina or any other heart ailment

• You suffer from migraines

• You are diabetic

• You suffer from pancreatitis

• You have had a form of breast cancer

• You have or have had a liver tumour or other liver problems

• You experience unexplained vaginal bleeding

• You are above 35 years of age and you smoke

• You have a family history of heart attack or stroke

Like any other prescription-only medicine, these are the possible side effects of Logynon:

• Abdominal pain

• Nausea or vomiting

• Headache or migraine

• Weight changes

• Breast enlargement or tenderness

• Water retention

• Vaginal thrush

• Changes in menstrual bleeding

• Depression

• Menstrual spotting or breakthrough bleeding

• Decreased sex drive

• Skin reactions

• Rise in blood pressure

• Irregular brown patches on the skin

• Liver problems

• Gallstone

• Blood clots in the blood vessels

When you are taking Logynon, you must stop taking this medicine and inform your doctor immediately if you get any of the following symptoms:

• unusual swelling or stabbing pains in one leg,

• difficulty while breathing or coughing, or coughing up blood,

• sudden breathlessness,

• severe chest pain,

• severe stomach pain,

• itching or rashes on the whole body,

• sudden disturbance in vision, hearing or speech,

• fainting, collapsing or epileptic seizures,

• rise in blood pressure,

• sudden weakness, frailness or numbness on any one side of the body,

• migraine or severe headaches,

• severe depression,

• jaundice, which results in yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes,

• if you think you might be pregnant.

Logynon is used to prevent pregnancy and hence, it should not be used during pregnancy. If you think you are pregnant when you are taking the pills, stop the medicine immediately and consult your doctor right away.

Also, it is not recommended to take the medicine while breastfeeding for up to six weeks after birth as they may cause a reduction in the production of breast milk.

The following medicines may reduce the effectiveness of the medicine at preventing pregnancy:

• aprepitant

• bosentan

• barbiturates

• carbamazepine

• cobicistat

• crizotinib

• dabrafenib

• eslicarbazepine

• modafinil

• nevirapine

• oxcarbazepine

• perampanel (12mg daily)

• phenobarbital

• phenytoin

• primidone

• rifampicin

• rifabutin

• ritonavir

• rufinamide

• telaprevir

• topiramate

• vemurafenib

If you regularly take any of these medicines, consult your doctor in advance about this. Your doctor might suggest a different form of contraception.

If you forget to take one pill, take the missed pill as soon as you remember. You may even need to take two pills at the same time. Then continue taking the rest of the medicines in the pack as scheduled. Missing one pill does not mean that you are not protected. You don’t have to use extra contraception.

No serious side effects have been reported in case someone has taken an overdose of the pills. Still it is recomeneded to consult

1. What if I have vomiting or diarrhoea while on the pill?
   
   
   If you vomit within two hours of taking the pill or have severe diarrhoea, you may not be protected against pregnancy. If this happens, take a new pill as soon as you feel better and continue taking the other pills as per the schedule. You will need to use a condom till you are ill.

2. Why are there 21 pills in a pack?
   
   Logynon is a triphasic-pill. Over a course of three weeks, it overrides your natural hormone cycle. You will have to take the pill every day for 21 days before stopping for a 7-day pill break. You will experience light bleeding during this break, but will still remain protected. It is important that you take the pills in their correct order.