About Ovral-L Tablet
Ovral-L Tablet contains Levonorgestrel 0.15 mg + Ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg. This is a combined oral contraceptive pill, containing two hormones similar to the body's own oestrogen and progesterone. Taken correctly every day, it is a reliable way to prevent pregnancy. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Uses of Ovral-L Tablet
- Prevention of pregnancy (contraception)
Benefits
In contraception
When taken correctly, it is highly effective at preventing pregnancy. Many people also find their periods become more regular, lighter and less painful.
Side effects
Many early side effects settle within the first 3 months. Talk to your doctor if they continue.
Common
- Nausea
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Spotting or bleeding between periods (often in the first few months)
- Mood changes
- Weight changes
Get medical help if you notice
- Pain or swelling in one leg, sudden chest pain, breathlessness or coughing up blood (possible blood clot) — seek emergency care
- Sudden severe headache, weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking or sudden loss of vision — seek emergency care
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes — contact your doctor
- A new lump in the breast — see your doctor
- Allergic reaction: rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, one tablet every day at about the same time, following the order shown on the pack. Swallow it with water. Start a new pack as the leaflet instructs. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain when the pill starts protecting you.
How it works
The two hormones stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. They also thicken the fluid at the neck of the womb, making it harder for sperm to enter.
Safety advice
Alcohol Safe
No interaction is known. If you vomit within a few hours of taking a pill, it may not have been absorbed — follow the leaflet's advice.
Pregnancy Unsafe
Do not take it if you are pregnant. Stop and see your doctor if you think you may be pregnant.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It is usually not recommended while breastfeeding, especially in the first weeks, as it may reduce milk. Ask your doctor about other options.
Driving Safe
It is not expected to affect driving.
Kidney Consult your doctor
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.
Liver Unsafe
It must not be used if you have severe liver disease or a liver tumour.
If you miss a dose
What to do depends on how many pills you missed and where you are in the pack. As a general rule, take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two in one day, then carry on as usual. If you missed more than one pill, use condoms as well and follow the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor straight away.
Quick tips
- Take it at the same time every day.
- Do not smoke — smoking raises the risk of blood clots, especially over the age of 35.
- Tell your doctor if you have migraines with aura, high blood pressure, or a past blood clot or stroke.
- Tell any doctor treating you that you take the pill, especially before surgery.
- Use condoms to protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Synthetic oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) + synthetic progestogen (levonorgestrel)
- Therapeutic class
- Women's health / hormonal
- Action class
- Combined hormonal contraceptive
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, some HIV medicines | Can make the pill less effective; extra contraception is needed |
| St John's wort (herbal remedy) | Can make the pill less effective |
| Lamotrigine | The pill can lower lamotrigine levels |
| Ciclosporin | The pill may raise its levels |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); FSRH guidance: combined hormonal contraception). Pharmacist review pending.