Ovosept

Ovosept belongs to the pharmacological group of combined hormonal contraceptives. Other trade names of the drug: Ovidon, Anteovin, Microgynon 30, Miniziston, Oralkon, Rigevidon, Trigestrel, Trikvilar, Levora.

Indications Ovosept

Indications for the use of Ovosept, in addition to protection against unwanted pregnancy, are functional disorders of the menstrual cycle (including dysmenorrhea), premenstrual syndrome, and dysfunctional metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding).

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Release form

Release form: white and yellow dragees, 21 dragees in one package.

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Pharmacodynamics

The contraceptive effect of Ovosept is provided by the synthetic analogues of sex hormones it contains: levonorgestrel, a derivative of 19-nortestosterone, and ethinyl estradiol, a synthetic follicular estradiol. The mechanism of their action is due to the fact that levonorgestrel blocks the gonadotropic function of the pituitary gland and thereby stops the production of follitropin (follicle-stimulating hormone) and luteotropin (luteinizing hormone). This leads to the suppression of ovulation (maturation of the egg and its release from the ovaries), and also prevents the process of reducing the viscosity of cervical mucus (mucus of the cervix), which usually accompanies ovulation. Levonorgestrel also inhibits the proliferation of the endometrium.

Under the influence of ethinyl estradiol, the liver increases the production of the estrogen and testosterone binding protein SHBG and transcortin, a protein that binds corticosterone and progesterone in blood plasma. In addition, ethinyl estradiol causes active division of endometrial cells.

The combination of agonistic and antagonistic actions of the active components of Ovosept, according to the manufacturers, makes fertilization of the egg impossible and prevents pregnancy.

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Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration, the active substances of Ovosept are adsorbed in the gastrointestinal tract (in the small intestine), the total bioavailability approaches 100%. Ethinyl estradiol binds to plasma proteins by 94%, levonorgestrel - by 55.5%. The highest concentration in the blood is observed 60-90 minutes after taking Ovosept. The distribution of levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol in tissues occurs quite evenly, but ethinyl estradiol tends to increase the content of beta-lipoproteins in the blood and accumulate in the cells of adipose tissue.

Ethinylestradiol is transformed in the liver and intestine by oxidation with the formation of two metabolites (2-OH-ethinylestradiol and 2-methoxyethinylestradiol) and glucuronic and sulfuric acid compounds; approximately 60% of which are excreted in the bile through the colon, the rest - by the kidneys with urine. Levonorgestrel is metabolized in the liver, 45% of inactive metabolites are eliminated in the urine, 32% - with intestinal excrement. The average half-life of the drug in the body is ± 24 hours.

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Dosing and administration

According to the official instructions for the drug, when prescribing it, you should pay attention to the fact that dragees of different colors contain different amounts of active substances; to ensure proper intake of the dragee, the number of the dragee, the day of the week and an arrow indicating the direction of taking the next dragee are indicated on the packaging. You should take 1 dragee daily.

The pill should be taken whole, without chewing, with a small amount of water. The time of taking is not important (for example, after breakfast or dinner), but subsequent pills should be taken at the same time, i.e. after 24 hours.

For contraception purposes, Ovidon is used starting from the first day of menstruation for 21 days, then a 7-day break is taken, during which bleeding similar to menstruation occurs. On the 8th day, it is necessary to start taking pills from the next package (even if bleeding continues).

If you miss taking one tablet during the first two weeks of your cycle, you should take 2 tablets the next day and then continue taking them regularly. If you miss two tablets in a row, you should take 2 tablets on the following 2 days, then continue taking Ovosept regularly, using additional contraception until the end of your cycle.

For therapeutic purposes, the dosage is prescribed individually.

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Use Ovosept during pregnancy

Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is contraindicated.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications for this contraceptive are:

• sensitivity to the components of the drug;
• chronic liver diseases (including hyperbilirubinemia and tumors);
• cholelithiasis;
• cholecystitis;
• chronic colitis;
• the presence or history of severe cardiovascular and cerebrovascular thromboembolism or predisposition to them;
• malignant tumors (primarily breast and endometrial cancer);
• lipid metabolism disorders;
• arterial hypertension;
• diabetes mellitus with vascular complications;
• sickle cell anemia, chronic hemolytic anemia;
• vaginal bleeding of unknown etiology;
• migraine;
• otosclerosis;
• herpes;
• urogenital infections.

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Side effects Ovosept

The use of Ovosept may cause such side effects as breast tenderness; changes in appetite; allergic reactions (rash, itching, shortness of breath, swelling of the face, lips or tongue); severe or recurring headaches and dizziness up to fainting; numbness of the extremities; weakness; hair loss (alpecia); nausea and vomiting; increased nervousness and mood changes; decreased hearing; bloody vaginal discharge or breakthrough bleeding; yellowing of the skin or sclera; weight gain.

It is important to keep in mind that women who use hormonal contraceptives for a long time have an increased risk of developing breast and cervical cancer.

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Overdose

Ovosept causes headache and nausea; treatment of the consequences is symptomatic.

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Interactions with other drugs

Ovosept should be used with caution in combination with hepatic metabolism inducers (rifampicin), phenobarbital derivatives, anticonvulsants (phenytoin and carbamazepine), and broad-spectrum antibiotics (tetracyclines, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, neomycin, etc.) due to possible reduction in contraception.

Taking Ovosept simultaneously with coumarin anticoagulants may require adjustment of their dosage.

Ovosept increases the bioavailability of tricyclic antidepressants and beta-blockers. The drug should not be taken simultaneously with drugs that have side effects on the liver.

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Storage conditions

Storage conditions: in a dry place, out of reach of children, at a temperature of +15-28°C.

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Shelf life

Shelf life is 5 years.

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