dienogest + estradiol valerate at a glance
Medicine class
Sequential combined hormonal contraceptive.
Licensed uses
Oral contraception and heavy menstrual bleeding without organic pathology when oral contraception is wanted.
Pack design
Colour-coded tablets must be taken in the printed order; white tablets are inactive.
Food
May be taken with or without food, with a little liquid if needed.
STI protection
Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
What is dienogest + estradiol valerate used for?
Licensed uses are:
Preventing pregnancy.
Treating heavy menstrual bleeding when no organic cause has been identified and oral contraception is also desired.
How does dienogest + estradiol valerate work?
The hormones mainly suppress ovulation. They also change cervical mucus and the womb lining, helping prevent pregnancy. Their sequential effects on the womb lining can reduce menstrual blood loss.
How to take dienogest + estradiol valerate
Swallow tablets in the exact order shown by the arrows on the wallet. They may be taken with or without food.
Do not rearrange tablets because their hormone contents differ by colour.
Vomiting soon after an active tablet or severe diarrhoea may reduce absorption; consult the package leaflet or a pharmacist promptly.
dienogest + estradiol valerate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Abdominal pain or nausea
- Acne
- Breast discomfort
- Irregular bleeding or no withdrawal bleeding
- Painful periods
- Weight increase
Get urgent medical advice
- Symptoms of a blood clot, heart attack or stroke
- Sudden visual disturbance suggesting a clot in an eye blood vessel
- Severe allergic reaction or angioedema
- Severe or persistent depression, particularly with thoughts of self-harm
- Unusually severe abdominal pain, jaundice or other possible liver symptoms
dienogest + estradiol valerate in pregnancy
This combination is not indicated during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, stop taking it and contact the prescriber. Evidence from combined oral contraceptives has not shown an increased risk of birth defects after inadvertent early-pregnancy exposure, but individual assessment should follow the product information.
dienogest + estradiol valerate while breastfeeding
The product information generally advises against use while breastfeeding because combined hormonal contraceptives can reduce milk supply, alter milk composition and pass small amounts of hormones into milk. Discuss suitability and alternatives with a clinician.
dienogest + estradiol valerate interactions
Check all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products because interactions can reduce contraceptive effectiveness or alter another medicine’s effect.
Enzyme-inducing antiseizure medicines, including carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, oxcarbazepine and some uses of topiramate
Can increase hormone clearance, causing breakthrough bleeding and contraceptive failure.
Rifampicin
Substantially reduces exposure to dienogest and estradiol and can make contraception unreliable.
St John’s wort
Can lower hormone concentrations and reduce contraceptive protection.
Common questions about dienogest + estradiol valerate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is dienogest + estradiol valerate used for?
It is licensed for oral contraception and for heavy menstrual bleeding without organic pathology when oral contraception is also wanted.
Is it a combined pill?
Yes. It combines the oestrogen estradiol valerate with the progestogen dienogest in a sequential, colour-coded pack.
Why are the tablets different colours?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.