Ovranette is a combined contraceptive pill that is only available with a prescription to prevent pregnancy. It contains the active ingredients ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel which are synthetic versions of the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

The ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel in Ovranette work together to prevent you from getting pregnant. Ovranette can also improve other aspects of your health affected or regulated by your hormones, including:

• acne
• irregular or heavy periods
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• endometriosis

At Superdrug Online Doctor, we only prescribe Ovranette for contraception and not for the sole management of other conditions. We also offer a range of services that target relief for these symptoms separately such as, period pain relief treatment, period delay treatment, and acne treatment.

Ovranette works in 3 ways to stop you getting pregnant by:

1. preventing your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation)
2. thickening the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach an egg
3. thinning the womb lining so a fertilised egg cannot implant itself there

How long does Ovranette take to work?

If you have a regular period (average 28 day cycle) and you start Ovranette on days 1 to 5 of your period, it will work straight away to stop you getting pregnant.

If you start it after day 5, you may need to use an additional method of contraception for 7 days until Ovranette is fully effective.

How effective is Ovranette?

Ovranette is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if you take it correctly. However, because of factors like missed pills and if you have vomited, it is closer to being 91% effective . That means that every year, 9 out of 100 people will get pregnant while taking Ovranette.

You can increase the effectiveness of Ovranette by ensuring you do not miss any pills and that you take them at the same time each day. If you find it difficult to remember to take your pill on time, you could try using:

• a pill box
• a pill reminder app
• an alarm

Swallow each Ovranette pill whole with water at the same time each day.

Each Ovranette strip contains 21 pills, each marked with a day of the week. When you take Ovranette:

1. Start by taking a pill with the correct day of the week. If the day is Tuesday, select a pill that’s marked ‘Tue’.
2. Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip, taking 1 pill every day until you have taken all 21.
3. Then, have 7 days where you take no pills. If you take your last pill on Monday, you’ll start your next strip on Tuesday of the following week. You should have a withdrawal bleed, like a period, within a few days of your break.
4. Start your new strip on the correct day, even if you are still bleeding.

If you have taken Ovranette correctly, you will always start each new strip on the same day of the week.

When should I start taking Ovranette?

Ideally, you should start taking Ovranette on day 1 of your period for it to be immediately effective.

What if I miss a pill?

If you miss a pill and it has been:

• less than 12 hours since you should have taken the pill, take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 pills in 1 day, then take your next pill as normal – you will still be protected
• more than 12 hours since you missed your pill or you have missed more than 1 pill, take the most recently missed pill straight away but leave any earlier missed pills in the strip, then take the next scheduled pill as normal. You will need to use additional contraception, like condoms, for 7 days. Check how many pills are left in the strip after the most recently missed pill.

If there are:

• 7 or more pills left in the strip, use extra precautions for 7 days and then have your usual 7-day break before starting a new strip
• less than 7 pills left in the strip, when you finish the current pack, start the next strip the next day without a break, if you don’t have a withdrawal bleed after finishing the second strip, do a pregnancy test

In both cases, if you missed 1 or more pills in the first week of your strip and you had sex in that week, you could be pregnant. You should contact your doctor, pharmacist, or family planning nurse as soon as possible for advice.

Ovranette can be bought in most UK pharmacies once you have a prescription for it. You can also request it online from reputable online doctor services or it may be available on the NHS.

Can I buy Ovranette online?

Yes, you can request Ovranette from Superdrug Online Doctor without a face to face consultation by:

1. Filling out a brief health and lifestyle questionnaire.
2. Requesting your preferred treatment and making payment.
3. One of our doctors will review your treatment request and questionnaire answers.
4. If approved, your treatment will be posted to your address or made available for collection at your local Superdrug Pharmacy.
5. If your request is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Can I buy Ovranette over the counter?

No, Ovranette is not available over the counter. It is a prescription-only medication which means you must have a doctor’s approval to obtain it. Alternatively, Hana is an over-the-counter mini pill that can be bought online or without a prescription from most UK pharmacies.

Can I get Ovranette on the NHS?

Yes, Ovranette may be available on the NHS but you will need to make an appointment with your GP or a sexual health clinic to find out if it is suitable for you.

Some people may experience side effects when taking Ovranette.

Very common side effects, affecting more than 1 in 10 people, include:

• headaches
• breakthrough bleeding or spotting

Common side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10 people include:

• vaginal infections (thrush)
• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• stomach cramps
• weight changes
• mood changes
• dizziness
• nervousness
• sex drive changes
• acne
• sore, painful, or tender breasts
• breast enlargement and discharge

Uncommon side effects, affecting up to 1 in 100 people include:

• diarrhoea
• appetite changes
• menstrual flow changes
• rash
• brown patches on your face or body
• hives
• fluid retention
• increased blood pressure
• changes in blood fat levels

Rare side effects, affecting up to 1 in 100 people are:

• glucose tolerance changes
• less tolerant to contact lenses
• painful red lumps on the skin
• pink-red blotches on the skin
• period pain
• absent periods
• vaginal discharge

How long do Ovranette side effects last?

Ovranette side effects are usually mild and short-lasting and should go away on their own when your body gets used to the change in hormone levels, usually within 3 months.

If you get side effects that last longer than this or are finding them hard to manage, speak to your doctor. See the patient information leaflet that comes with your pill for more information on side effects.

What to do if you get Ovranette side effects

Most mild side effects can be managed at home by:

• taking over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol to manage pain associated with headaches, cramps, or breast tenderness
• drinking plenty of clear fluid to keep you hydrated and manage symptoms like headaches and feeling sick
• eating smaller, more frequent meals if you are feeling sick
• applying a hot compress to your lower abdomen to manage cramps

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, call 999 or get some to take you to A&E immediately:

• signs of a blood clot (painful swelling in your leg, sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing)
• allergic reaction symptoms (swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing)

Do not take Ovranette if you:

• are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• are allergic to levonorgestrel or ethinylestradiol or any other ingredients
• or anyone in your close family has ever had a circulatory problem, such as a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke
• have a condition that puts you at a higher risk of a blood clot
• are over 35 and smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day
• have very high or uncontrolled blood pressure
• have an irregular heart beat or heart valve disorder
• experience migraine with visual disturbances
• have diabetes which has affected your circulation
• have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• have ever had liver tumours, severe liver disease or your doctor has told you your liver function tests are not back to normal
• have cancer affected by sex hormones such as breast or ovarian cancer
• have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have hepatitis C and are taking any medications containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir

Ovranette and other medications

Some medications can stop Ovranette working properly. They include some medications used to treat:

• hepatitis C
• epilepsy
• tuberculosis
• HIV or AIDS
• fungal infections
• sleep disorders
• inflammatory conditions like gout
• bacterial infections (antibiotics)

St John’s Wort, a herbal remedy, can also impact the effectiveness of Ovranette. Before taking Ovranette you should let your doctor know if you take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications.

There are many alternatives to Ovranette available. You can choose from combined or progesterone-only options, pills, patches, vaginal rings, injections, or implants, and hormonal or non-hormonal contraception.

Combined pills

Alternative combined pills to Ovranette include:

• Microgynon – contains levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol, available in a 21 or 28 pill pack
• Levest – contains levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol, available in a 21 pill pack
• Lucette – contains levonorgestrel and drospirenone, available in a 21 pill pack
• Yasmin – contains ethinylestradiol and drospirenone, available in a 21 pill pack

Other combined contraceptives

• Contraceptive patches – we stock Evra, a once-weekly patch that sticks to your skin and releases oestrogen and progesterone to stop you getting pregnant
• Vaginal ring – NuvaRing is a vaginal ring that lasts for 3 weeks and is inserted into your vagina, steadily releasing oestrogen and progesterone to prevent pregnancy

Mini pills

Mini pills are also known as progesterone-only pills that may be more suitable if you’d prefer not to take oestrogen or there are reasons why you can’t. For example, your doctor may not prescribe you contraception containing oestrogen if you:

• have had breast cancer
• have had a hysterectomy
• have an underactive thyroid
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

This list is not exhaustive. Before taking any contraception you must inform your doctor of your personal and family health history. Some mini pill options are:

• Hana – an over-the-counter mini pill that you can get without a prescription
• Cerelle
• Cerazette
• Norgeston
• Noriday

Non-hormonal contraception

• male and female condoms
• caps and diaphragms
• copper coil

Choosing the right contraceptive for you can be challenging, especially because there are so many options available. For more information read our guide on non-hormonal contraception.

If you’re still unsure which contraception is right, you can start a contraceptive consultation with one of our doctors.

Does Ovranette stop periods?

Ovranette can stop your periods but you may still get breakthrough bleeding. If you avoid the normal pill-free week and take 2 Ovranette strips back to back, you will not get a withdrawal bleed.

Can Ovranette cause weight gain?

There’s no conclusive evidence that Ovranette causes weight gain, although some people report weight fluctuation when they are on the pill. However, weight changes can be caused by fluid retention and other factors that are unrelated to the pill.

Does Ovranette help clear acne?

Yes, the combination of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel not only protect you from pregnancy, but they may also improve acne.

Can I use Ovranette as emergency contraception?

No, Ovranette is a combined contraceptive pill that is taken regularly to prevent pregnancy, it is not a method of emergency contraception. The morning after pill is usually taken once after you have had unprotected sex to stop pregnancy happening.

Can I take Ovranette to delay my period?

Yes, you can take Ovranette back to back to delay your period. Speak to your doctor before doing this. If you are considering starting the contraceptive pill to delay your period, you should consider period delay tablets instead.

Are Ovranette and Microgynon the same?

Ovranette and Microgynon are brand names of contraceptive pills that contain the same active ingredients, ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel, and work in the same way, they just have a different name, price and packaging. They may also have different non-active ingredients.