Lucette Pill

Lucette as a Contraception

Lucette is a combined oral contraception pill. It is used as a pregnancy preventative but it will also work to reduce acne breakouts and create a regular and less painful period. Lucette is also useful in reducing the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). 

What is Lucette and how does it work?

Like other combined contraceptive pills, Lucette uses synthetic female hormones, ethinylestradiol and drospirenone to prevent ovulation and ensure it is more difficult for sperm cells to travel through the cervix. If taken correctly, it can be 99% effective at preventing pregnancies.

Is Lucette right for me?

If you are looking for an effective oral contraceptive, Lucette may be right for you. However, it may not be suitable for you if you have the following:

• If you are allergic or hypersensitive to any of the ingredients in Lucette
• If you are allergic to peanuts or soya as this medicine contains soya oil
• If you need an operation or if you are off your feet for a long time
• If you have ever had a blood clot or are at risk of a blood clot
• If you have severe heart, liver or kidney problems
• If you have high or low blood pressure
• If you have ever had a migraine with aura
• If you are suspected of having breast cancer or cancer of the genital organs
• If you have unexplained bleeding from the vagina

All medications can cause potential side effects, below we have listed some potential side effects of Lucette. However, these do not always occur and are mostly mild in nature. But if you experience any prolonged or worrying side effects of Lucette, please discontinue the medication immediately and consult your doctor.

Common side effects include:

• Vaginal thrush
• Nausea or vomiting or diarrhoea 
• Headaches and migraines
• Irregular periods, spotting and bleeding between periods
• Low mood
• Breast tenderness or pain
• Thick whitish vaginal discharge

To view Lucette Patient Leaflet click here.

To view PDF patient leaflet click here.

Lucette is used as an oral contraceptive (birth control pill). It works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) and by thickening the mucus in the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to penetrate and fertilize an egg.

Lucette can also be used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition that causes mood swings, irritability, bloating, and other symptoms during the week before menstruation.

Lucette is available in packs of 21 tablets. The first 21 tablet pack should be started on the first day of your period (Day 1 Start). If you are starting Lucette on any other day of your cycle, you will need to use an additional method of contraception, such as condoms, for the first 7 days of taking Lucette. Lucette should be taken for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break during which you will experience withdrawal bleeding (similar to a period). After the 7-day break, you will start a new pack of pills.

Lucette also contains the inactive ingredients lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone, magnesium stearate, and hypromellose.

Lucette is a "monophasic" pill, which means that each tablet contains the same amount of active ingredients. This is different from "triphasic" pills, which have three different phases of tablets with different amounts of active ingredients. Monophasic pills are often preferred because they are easier to remember to take and may cause fewer side effects.

Lucette is taken orally once daily at the same time each day, with or without food. If you vomit or have severe diarrhoea within 3-4 hours of taking a dose of Lucette, you should take another tablet as soon as possible. If it is more than 12 hours since your last dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses of Lucette at the same time.

The most common side effects of Lucette include:

headache, 

breast tenderness,

nausea,

vomiting,

diarrhoea,

weight gain or loss,

mood swings,

irritability,

acne.

Less common side effects include:

thrush (a yeast infection of the vagina),

decreased sex drive,

vaginal dryness,

darkening of the skin,

changes in hair growth or texture.

Rare side effects include:

deep vein thrombosis (DVT),

pulmonary embolism (PE),

stroke,

heart attack,

breast cancer.

If you experience any of these serious side effects, stop taking Lucette and seek medical attention immediately.

Lucette is not suitable for everyone. You should not take Lucette if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should also avoid taking Lucette if you have a history of DVT, PE, stroke, or heart attack. Lucette may also not be suitable for you if you have certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a history of depression.

Before starting Lucette, be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications or supplements you are taking, as well as any medical conditions you have. Lucette is a prescription medication, if you have any questions about your condition or treatment, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.